(no subject)
I finally understand something that has been annoying me for months. Since August, in fact. Now, I have a big problem with the dynamic between black and white students on this campus. Black students are annoyed with white people's stupidity, while white people are defensive for being prematurely judged or for being punished for their naivete. And we talk about it. And talk and talk and YELL.
And then we don't talk anymore.
Well, the thing that was said by Kelly from Northrop the last time everyone yelled was the thing that pissed me off the most. We were discussing the possibility of openness, the abolishment of the overly PC environment that fosters fear of asking questions that just MIGHT offend someone. So the suggestion was made that perhaps if people felt comfortable asking questions, then we all might learn something, and we won't be so naive. But then Kelly said that if someone came up to her who didn't know her and started asking questions about "how it was to be a black woman at Smith" she would get pissed off and not want to talk to her anymore.
And I was like, fabulous. You want to continue this widespread ignorance just because you are sensitive and don't want to talk to someone because you think she is stupid.
But she clarified her views today. (It's been five months since then.) She said that she wouldn't be upset because the person is stupid, she would be upset because it IS NOT HER JOB to educate people on black identity or culture or whatever. People can educate themselves. We're all big girls. Read a book. Take a class. Don't just think you can be all educated and tolerant and whatever by talking to the black girl about what it is like to be black. that's not cool. Especially if you don't even know her. And you can't get a full perspective on ANYTHING by talking to one person about her personal experience.
And it made a LOT of sense. I don't suppose I'd be too happy if someone came up to me and asked "so what is it like to be a bisexual/Catholic/white girl on campus?" I'd be like, uhhhh, I don't know. Why are you asking me? I can tell you about my experience, but not as a fill-in-the-blank identity.
And suddenly I am not so angry anymore.
And then we don't talk anymore.
Well, the thing that was said by Kelly from Northrop the last time everyone yelled was the thing that pissed me off the most. We were discussing the possibility of openness, the abolishment of the overly PC environment that fosters fear of asking questions that just MIGHT offend someone. So the suggestion was made that perhaps if people felt comfortable asking questions, then we all might learn something, and we won't be so naive. But then Kelly said that if someone came up to her who didn't know her and started asking questions about "how it was to be a black woman at Smith" she would get pissed off and not want to talk to her anymore.
And I was like, fabulous. You want to continue this widespread ignorance just because you are sensitive and don't want to talk to someone because you think she is stupid.
But she clarified her views today. (It's been five months since then.) She said that she wouldn't be upset because the person is stupid, she would be upset because it IS NOT HER JOB to educate people on black identity or culture or whatever. People can educate themselves. We're all big girls. Read a book. Take a class. Don't just think you can be all educated and tolerant and whatever by talking to the black girl about what it is like to be black. that's not cool. Especially if you don't even know her. And you can't get a full perspective on ANYTHING by talking to one person about her personal experience.
And it made a LOT of sense. I don't suppose I'd be too happy if someone came up to me and asked "so what is it like to be a bisexual/Catholic/white girl on campus?" I'd be like, uhhhh, I don't know. Why are you asking me? I can tell you about my experience, but not as a fill-in-the-blank identity.
And suddenly I am not so angry anymore.