My Inner Thoughts About Race and Blackness.- Part One
Well I figured to end my celebration of Black History/Heritage Month with some introspection and a glimspe into my thoughts, concerns, and viewpoints on race in America. I used to be reluctant about voicing how I feel about race, but I realize than sometimes you need to put it out there and let people dissect it the way they want. Maybe it will give people some understanding and insight of the world as a black guy. So here it is goes.
1. There is still racism in America period. Anyone who tells you differently, needs to visit the psych ward. Racism didn't end with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If anything, it is more covert and clandestine. No, I am not looking for racism, as some people have stated. I don't need to. Racism finds me pretty regularly. Of course, not everything people say or situations that occur are deemed racially motivated, however understand that some things are. There are actual people in this world that will deny you of employemnt, deny you rights, deny you privacy, because of your race. Black folks aren't just making it up.
2. Race is a taboo subject still. Most non-minority folks don't like talking about it. Most minority folks discuss it all the time. Pretty simple explanation. With non-minorities, it is simply something they don't deal with on a regular basis. I know lots of non-minorities where I have been the first interaction with a non-minority. One of my roomies in college for example. There are places in America where you don't have to interact with non-minorities, if you don't want to. Total opposite for minorities in general. Race is something that minorities deal with everyday. Even in the 'hood, black people deal with white people, Asians, Latinos, etc., and latinos and asians the same as well. Even with our daily habitual practices, paying bills, working, shopping, etc., minorities deal with non-minorities. Racial issues are evident, even forced upon non-minorities all time, so therefore we talk about it. Thus to non-minorities, minorities are always "harping" on race. And we are. Not because we want to. Because we have no other choice, but to discuss it. Race and Racism are like a big ol' pile of manure in a room where minorities are staring directly at it and non-minorities are trying to ignore the smell.
3. Don't mistake black pride for "reverse racism". Besides, "reverse racism" is a assisine term anyway. A racist person is a racist person. Some black folks are just as racist as some white folks. All racism is wrong. We all should love each other and get along. However there is a MAJOR difference. Racism & prejudice towards blacks and other minorities were sanctioned by the government. It was considered good practice to discriminate against minorities. Court battles like Plessy vs Ferguson, Dred Scott Decision, etc. deemed discrimination against minorities CONSTITUTIONAL. Racism against whites was never tolerated and very few and far between. Plus, it had no authority or power to affect whites, as it literally bound and enslaved every aspect of black and minority life. Yes, times are different now, however I am only a generation removed from segregation...as my mom went to a segregated school in the Deep South. It wasn't that long ago. Now, just because I talk about black history or black issues, doesn't mean I am racist. That notion is also assisine. I date other races. I hang out with other races. I just happen to be proud of being black. I love it. The struggle I go through, the trials, etc., is all a part of who I am. I am proud of what my people accomplished, and yes I believe other should learn about what black people accomplished. We are an integral part of American History. There is more to black people than slavery, music, and Martin Luther King, Jr. The sad thing is that is all what people learn about, even black people. They don't teach enough about black people accomplishments in school curriculum, or any other minority accomplishments. Also, what irks ans saddens me is when white people ask me why is there not a "White History Month". There isn't, because America learns about that history all the time. 24/7/365. Even during Black Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, etc. The reason we have it, is due to the fact that if we didn't no one would even know that we had a history, and that our history is part of American History.
Anyway... I can write all night about this, but I will stop there for the time being. I put some things out there. Tell me what you think, good, bad, or even ugly. At least any dialogue would be good.
Hugs and Soul Claps to everybody.
1. There is still racism in America period. Anyone who tells you differently, needs to visit the psych ward. Racism didn't end with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If anything, it is more covert and clandestine. No, I am not looking for racism, as some people have stated. I don't need to. Racism finds me pretty regularly. Of course, not everything people say or situations that occur are deemed racially motivated, however understand that some things are. There are actual people in this world that will deny you of employemnt, deny you rights, deny you privacy, because of your race. Black folks aren't just making it up.
2. Race is a taboo subject still. Most non-minority folks don't like talking about it. Most minority folks discuss it all the time. Pretty simple explanation. With non-minorities, it is simply something they don't deal with on a regular basis. I know lots of non-minorities where I have been the first interaction with a non-minority. One of my roomies in college for example. There are places in America where you don't have to interact with non-minorities, if you don't want to. Total opposite for minorities in general. Race is something that minorities deal with everyday. Even in the 'hood, black people deal with white people, Asians, Latinos, etc., and latinos and asians the same as well. Even with our daily habitual practices, paying bills, working, shopping, etc., minorities deal with non-minorities. Racial issues are evident, even forced upon non-minorities all time, so therefore we talk about it. Thus to non-minorities, minorities are always "harping" on race. And we are. Not because we want to. Because we have no other choice, but to discuss it. Race and Racism are like a big ol' pile of manure in a room where minorities are staring directly at it and non-minorities are trying to ignore the smell.
3. Don't mistake black pride for "reverse racism". Besides, "reverse racism" is a assisine term anyway. A racist person is a racist person. Some black folks are just as racist as some white folks. All racism is wrong. We all should love each other and get along. However there is a MAJOR difference. Racism & prejudice towards blacks and other minorities were sanctioned by the government. It was considered good practice to discriminate against minorities. Court battles like Plessy vs Ferguson, Dred Scott Decision, etc. deemed discrimination against minorities CONSTITUTIONAL. Racism against whites was never tolerated and very few and far between. Plus, it had no authority or power to affect whites, as it literally bound and enslaved every aspect of black and minority life. Yes, times are different now, however I am only a generation removed from segregation...as my mom went to a segregated school in the Deep South. It wasn't that long ago. Now, just because I talk about black history or black issues, doesn't mean I am racist. That notion is also assisine. I date other races. I hang out with other races. I just happen to be proud of being black. I love it. The struggle I go through, the trials, etc., is all a part of who I am. I am proud of what my people accomplished, and yes I believe other should learn about what black people accomplished. We are an integral part of American History. There is more to black people than slavery, music, and Martin Luther King, Jr. The sad thing is that is all what people learn about, even black people. They don't teach enough about black people accomplishments in school curriculum, or any other minority accomplishments. Also, what irks ans saddens me is when white people ask me why is there not a "White History Month". There isn't, because America learns about that history all the time. 24/7/365. Even during Black Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, etc. The reason we have it, is due to the fact that if we didn't no one would even know that we had a history, and that our history is part of American History.
Anyway... I can write all night about this, but I will stop there for the time being. I put some things out there. Tell me what you think, good, bad, or even ugly. At least any dialogue would be good.
Hugs and Soul Claps to everybody.