race relations
Hmm. I was listening to a very good radio broadcast today about race relations. African-Americans are still trapped into a sort of slave minded thinking. What is good hair? Most black people do naturally have kinky hair. What's wrong with that? It is true that many of us would be offended if someone said we had nappy hair. I think it's about time to embrace it. I am most certainly guilty of it as well. It's too late to turn back now after years of chemically processing my hair so that it will stay moderately straight for at least a month. Then of course there is the issue of weaves. Personally, I wear them because I like to look different all of the time. But it does make me think twice about it now. I'm also tired of people in general talking about dark people in a negative way. Some of my own black friends have said "they are just too dark". Too dark for what? There is no scale or level of darkness that says someone cannot do something. I think it's time we appreciate what we are and embrace the melanin in our skin. We tend to focus on the "negatives". What about the fact that we do not get sunburned easily? The idea that we will never be pale? The strength of that same "nappy" hair. What about our thick lips? what is wrong with that. Nothing. It does not make us any less or any more of a person than anyone else. Big butts are better to fill out dresses and jeans with. The more I think about it, I too have been disallusioned (sp?) for some time. I am most certainly guilty of thinking or saying some of those things. One of the biggest things I am most guilty of is not speaking up. People, even my "friends" say things or make jokes that bother me. However, because I am outnumbered in those situations, I don't say anything. It does irk me though. It is rather hard to defend yourself or make a clear point when it's one against sixteen. Of course, there are those who would say I'm being too sensitive. Well, we have the freedom to say what we want, so I have the freedom to feel what I want. Naturally, there are those who just don't care. I cannot make or force anyone to understand me. I cannot school them so that their ignorance is lost. What I can do, is do my best to make a difference and be proud even if it is all by myself. Which reminds me, the Imus guy. Now, I find it hurtful (you're probably thinking of course you do because you're black) well, you're probably right. This isn't the first time either. But as I mentioned before, you cannot change someone no matter how much you want to. I don't think he's "learned his lesson" and I don't think he ever will. Suspending him will not change the way he thinks or what comments he will make in intimate company. What matters now is how we treat him. Treat him kind, be a Christian. I'm not saying let him not suffer any reprocussions-but you just do what you know is right. Okay, I'm done ranting for now.