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Biting the Bullet
Name this movie.
Being Black in America (No Soledad O’Brien) is interesting. Its a blessing to live in a country that once enslaved Black folks, yet elected a Black man to the country’s highest office just decades after Blacks and Whites could not marry, attend the same schools or eat at the same lunch tables. ::two slow hand claps and a lighter in the air for America::
But enough with the fluff. In the past few months, we have seen our President stand behind various podiums and bite his tongue. He has apologized for admonishing the behavior the Boston 5-0 and has had to give the side eye to many Joe Wilsons for talking to him crazy. Despite this, he has said that race is not the “overriding issue” in how he is being treated (read: disrespected) as the President. Even former President Jimmy Carter stated that race is behind the uproar in the health care debate. In order to prevent race riots, Pres. Obama said it ain’t so.
But is race playing a role in how people address or disagree with him? Hells yeah. I think it is naive to believe otherwise. I’m not saying that to disagree with his agenda is racist. Disagreement is what drives the democratic process. I get that. I’m not even saying that race is the overriding issue behind all of the talk against his leadership. I just think that folks need to open their eyes and stop acting like we live in a color blind “post racial” society just because a Black man lives in the White House. His election is not like that little red penlight thing from Men In Black. Stereotypes, conscious and unconscious biases, and decades of racial tension did not disappear with “Yes we can.”
I bring this up to talk about how Black people (and other minorities) often have to bite the bullet during conversations that have offended us. Or let an inappropriate joke linger in the air as to not look like the angry Black man or woman. Or how we have to let people disrespect to us because our instinctive reaction could land us jobless and/or in county lockup. We often have to check ourselves, lest we wreck ourselves and our relationships with co-workers, bosses, and even friends.
I know that in my 2x years, I have plenty of stories about people saying some pretty off the cuff things. Not those well intended, yet ignorant type things, but things that made me say “Did this fool really just twist up his mouth to say that to me?” And what could I really do, except shake my head and walk away?
I mentioned in my Eff ‘Em something an employer said to me during an interview. I hesitated to bring it up at all, but I’m still hot about it. Though it shouldn’t need to be said, I don’t think the man is racist. But, my interaction with him showed to me a couple of things about the reality we live in:
Race is still on people’s minds.
Let’s not get it twisted folks. Kanye got called all kinds of niggers all over the Internets last week. And while my conversation with the employer was not nearly as offensive, I was definitely offended and thrown by his need to tell me that a “diverse candidate” got the job I was vying for, and that two Black women would be one too many. It definitely made me wonder about how or why people still think the way that they do. And why they can’t help themselves and not say dumb ish.
No matter how educated I get, how shiny my suits are, or how good talkin’ I am, I’m still Black first.
People may not agree, but I feel like my race will precede many of my other characteristics. Not to everyone all the time, but despite everything else I have and will achieve, some people will not be able to look beyond my chocolate legs skin. My credentials have and will get questioned (Did you really go to that school? Yes a#hole, I did); people will look at me funny when I tell where I’m from, and that I’ve “made it this far” (OMG, I heard it’s really rough there. Yes it was, which means I can whoop that arse); and folks will still doubt what I am capable of, despite what I have already done.
Sometimes I’m envious of Black people who “don’t see race” or think about how it impacts their lives. Unfortunately, I didn’t grow up with that luxury. Maybe my mentality is part of the problem. But I don’t know. Am I alone in some of these feelings and thoughts? Please share. And let’s keep it honest, yet respectful.
Right Fist in the Air, But I Want to Put it Down Sometimes,
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I love The Last Dragon lol
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Dag, someone beat me to “The Last Dragon” but it’s all good, lol.
“His election is not like that little red penlight thing from Men In Black.” That was too funny!
I guess you are asking why Black people have to hold their tongues on the issue of race, right? Well, because we (unless we want to commit corporate/political suicide) have to, lol. I would bet $11
though that President Obama and his First Lady vent almost every night about it behind closed doors. Speaking of the First Lady, look at the backlash she got when she made the comment about behing proud of her country for the first time. (White) America wanted to crucify her! Amongst us with permanent skin tans, that was a sentiment most if not share ourselves, are at least aware of. I think it is definitely unfortunate that we cannot be honest about this issue. I wish more people just stepped up and said, “yes, we don’t like you [insert prominent Black person here] because you are Black.” Stop hiding. Just like US Attorney General Holder said (before he was crucified as well) when it comes to race in this country, we are cowards…
As for Black people who don’t see race as an issue, I will never understand it. It’s like Chris Rock said in his last comedic special to this demographic, “What planet do you live on?”
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ASmith Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 8:58 am
I wish more people just stepped up and said, “yes, we don’t like you [insert prominent Black person here] because you are Black.”
During the election, this is what I kept saying to people. If you would be real and call it what it is, I’d have so much more respect for your in-the-clost racist a**.
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theVixen. Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 6:18 pm
I co-sign with these women. It’s a sad thing but race is always an issue, we are not as far along as we think we are. Obama being elected was a great step in the right direction, but sometimes hate doesn’t have to be in the majority of people’s minds to be destructive (i.e. the KKK, or Nazis). So, we still have a long way to go. However, I believe the saying that black people have to do everything 100x better than everyone else is sooo true. We can’t be average, we can’t be slightly better. We have to be the best to get recognition for even being good at what we do. I think Obama is getting a lot of blame for not having the nation perfect in this little bit of time, but what ppl have to realize before we can get change he has to fix what Bush has done. I love Obama && the fact that he says what he wants and how he feels, but I know he holds back a lot. Obama, however, for him to say ppl are racist against him would kinda be like political suicide, so I know he doesn’t want that to happen…
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CanUMatchMyLifestyle.com Reply:
October 10th, 2009 at 1:06 am
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You are not alone (no Michael Jackson, may he RIP). Actually, I don’t envy the black folks who are racially blind. To me, these people are lying to themselves in order to maintain the illusion that they will be judged, not on the color of their skin, but the content of their character. Unfortunately, Dr. King’s dream is still a dream deferred.
Before we can ever work to get past race, people will have to be honest with themselves, and admit that they are racist, or hold some racist stereotypes. The country will have to be honest with itself, and people will have to stop pretending that they don’t understand the pain within Rev. Wright, and other black men & women, that lead him to say the things he said. I know several “Rev. Wrights”, men in my family, who fought for this country, only to return to it a second class citizen, marginalized and mistreated by the people they protected in WWII, Vietnam, Korea, The Gulf War, and the current War in Iraq & Afghanistan. And they are angry, and people have the audacity to not understand why they might be angry and disappointed in this country. I think a lot of white and black people think we should just forget about the past, but how can we when our entire society functions off vestiges of our racial past.
As a country, we aren’t honest with ourselves. I’ve been waiting since the election for someone to come out and call it what it is. And I was very pleased to see President Carter call a spade a spade, and call out some of these teabaggers, conservative “Journalists”, radio personalities, and political pundits. And of course, everyone(i.e.many folks), white, black, conservative and liberal democrat has disagreed with him on this point. Because everyone wants to point to the election as proof of our new post racial society. Nope, I’m not buying it. I was born and raised in the South, lived in Cali and the Midwest, and it’s all the same. Racism, ignorance, intolerance alive and well in America.
I’m rambling(Eff insomnia!), so I will end with this, I agree with you, Miss Jenkins.
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Ohhhhhh man, I have so much to say about this topic. But b/c my booty should be in bed so I can get up & go to class in the a.m. I just have a couple things to say in regards to
“Sometimes I’m envious of Black people who “don’t see race” or think about how it impacts their lives. Unfortunately, I didn’t grow up with that luxury. Maybe my mentality is part of the problem.”
Ur mentality is what’s gonna keep u movin & shakin Miss Jenkins!!! U see thru the BS & u r gonna be better for it love – pass that knowledge to ur chilrens & chilrens chilrens b/c racism isn’t goin newhere.
To the black folk who “don’t see race” or refuse to think about it, I feel sorry for y’all – ur in denial. This ignorance is not bliss b/c best believe, if it ever comes down to u or “them” they’r gonna have their own/ppls backs NOT urs.
& since it’s sleepy time, I’ll just repost my fb thoughts on the Jimmy Carter subject (oooo I was so heated when some 2520 I went to h.s. with subsequently commented on my post callin Pres. Obama a go*dam socialist who’s scary & naive… but then my momma posted after his triflin behind lol) Neway, here goes:
President Carter is right on the $$$. Those who disagree with him are truly blind to the racism that continues to resound throughout our country, and increasingly ever so transparently these days among our political leaders. Never before have we seen so much overt disdain and disrespect for a president by our political representatives – not even through the GWBush years. It is truly aberrant, and the fact that people refuse to acknowledge the difference is shocking to me. Nobody wants to be called a racist, so denial is expected – but people, it’s time to wake up and do better, be better and make change, starting with the one needed to be made in many of our hearts. Not until people can get past the fact that our President is Black will we be able to focus on what’s best for our country.
Obama is doing what’s most diplomatic cuz he has to as the President of the US – biting his tongue b/c he just has to. BUT WE DONT!!! =D
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Nyela Goodness Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 11:35 am
I love how all of your comments start the same way, and how the length of the comment ultimately contradicts how it started…
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Rox Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 3:51 pm
hahahahaha… I could arguable go on 4ever. But I cheated & copied & pasted half of it from earlier rantings
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Miss Jenkins, I wholeheartedly co-sign. We may have made fun of Bush on the low or on late-nite television, but never to the man’s face. He was given chance after chance after chance to give a clear succinct answer to a fair and unbiased question. He failed miserably.
Pres. Obama is usually addressed with contempt and disrespect. I have more respect than ever for him. He is making up for the extreme mis-handling of the previous administration, which is an almost insurmountable task in and of itself, but at the same time, he is paying the ultimate Black Tax. Its times like this that I do wish that Kanye and Lil’ Mama would chill the eff out in support of our president. Aaron McGruder did. Al Sharpton has given up being the Angry Black to host Wrestling. Seems like everyone else forgot that this fight is going to last 4 years.
Do we live in a post racial society? No.
That’s all there is to it. I am still ecstatic that my resume reads Ms. Anglo-Saxon Name. I dazzle in phone interviews only to have that quizzical look when I show up for face to face. And its fine.
But we have gone way past Black and White bias. We are now onto native Blacks and Immigrant Blacks. Well To Do Latinos and ESL Latinos. Asians will never catch a break, just cuz they (perform?) better than any other race. 2520s don’t have to do much anymore, cuz we are doing it to ourselves.
Post-Racial my a$$. This is Hyper-Racial America.
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Rox Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 3:58 pm
“[Pres Obama] is paying the ultimate Black Tax”
Yep… evidenced in how even from among the worst of theirs (Palin) was STILL “more qualified” than among the best of ours (El Presidente himself). SMH
“2520s don’t have to do much anymore, cuz we are doing it to ourselves.”
& best believe they recognize this too.
“Post-Racial my a$$. This is Hyper-Racial America.”
Co-sign 1000% – been saying that for yrs &, ironically, w/ a black man now filling the highest seat in elected office, it’s finally become blatantly transparent.
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I just think its funny how “its not about race” but the same damn ppl who were saying anyone against the President was a terrorist 2 years ago are now talking about dead PreZidents today. We couldn’t get away with an “anti-Bush” (no hetero) group or rally back in the day, but anti-Obama groups are springing up all over the (redneck) nation. Its clearly all about race. These (trailer park) folk are shooting themselves in the foot opposing healthcare for their own (toothless) kids just to not support Obama. Then these same (ignorant) fools wanna use words like facism and socialism and they didn’t even make it to high school to know what those words even mean.
I do get tired of biting my tongue all the time. Even with the Obama support, I know ppl are goona think “typical n*gger supporting Obama”, so I just keep quiet mostly. Plus I live in texas and work for the dept of defense and I like my life and would like to keep it.
But it sucks.
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WTH- everything is centered?
I have also bit my tongue while something very inappropriate was said to me…. like you said, you just don’t want to seem like the ABW/M. Sadly enough, I don’t think it’s anything that will change.
Although black is the first thing that is seen, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Some of the others are intrigued by us (see: MTV for reference. lol. and VSB’s Friday post, with our trendsetting a&&es) and some people are just idiots (like the one you interviewed with) .
It’s not something I constantly think about because I’ve prolly only dealt with two blatant racist events in my life.
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“Sometimes I’m envious of Black people who “don’t see race” or think about how it impacts their lives.”
I’m not envious…I just don’t think they are telling themselves the truth. I smh at them like for real? No, not everything is about race but be truthful, we live in a racial society. Anytime you are ‘fearful’ of naming your child anything but an WASP-y name, you know we live in a judge you first by your ethnicity first THEN your creed society.
Miss Jenkins, you hit the nail on the head. Mr Obama has to/is walk/walking a thin line between race and politics, black folk are waiting for him to stand up and 2520s and others are daring him to just so they can say something about him not being for the interest of the people…last time I check black folk are people, too.
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Dammit.
Ok. In college I took a sociology class on deviant behavior. My professor had a PhD, had gone to both undergrad and graduate school at this same institution and was a football player in undergrad. I remember a definition he gave us for a sociological term (that of course I can’t remember right now… “master identification” or some such) that struck me. The definition was “the characteristic people define you by first.” He went on to say “for me, though I have a PhD, was an accomplished athlete and now professor, the thing people will define me by first is ‘black’.”
I think we all have that intrinsic understanding and that’s why we bite our tongue. There’s a 2520 in my office with a super Type A personality. She goes off on EVERYBODY including our managers and bosses and they excuse her all the time with “that’s just her…” or “she’s got a lot on her plate…” Of course if I even looked like I was ready to say some of what she says, I’d be on my a** faster than I could say “Al Sharpton…”
I wonder, too, if biting your tongue is right. It’s surely not easy and definitely not fair, but is it the right thing to do? I knew Obama was going to disagree with Jimmy (yeah, first name basis) in public; he has to. This country is, to steal from Still Water so effin Hyper-Racial, that he can’t be for real and say “hell yeah they’re acting like this cause I’m black…” or else he’d alienate the hyper-racial racists who support him to assuage the guilt they feel for being racist (aka the racist liberals) and healthcare is bigger, right now, than being right about race.
However, I’m happy Jimmy has continued to speak the truth because someone with melanin-deficiency has to. Us trying to do it only gets more of the b.s. that blocks us from moving anywhere on race in this country.
Oh, but the GOP pundit on CNN’s Sunday morning show who said “Bill Clinton had a more authentic Black American experience than Obama” would’ve sho ’nuff gotten a Black American tongue lashing if I had’ve been on that set and I’d want them to fire me, please.
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Man. I couldn’t even read the comments.
1)I don’t bite my tongue for anyone.. except sometimes face to face with christians… y’all start to cry when I kick truth and its disturbing so sometimes I let you live.
2)If we go around saying racism will never die aren’t WE deferring MLK’s dream?
3)Other than the Joe Wilson Scandal almost all of the Obama hate has been fair. Fair and Balanced people. Bush caught his from the time he was elected. Sure our arguements make more SENSE and are based on facts while their criticism is based on assumptions and fear of the unknown. Glen Beck is waay too smart (since he doesn’t even believe in most of what he says) to through anything anti-black into the mix. Same with Hannity and Rush. If Hillary had been elected most of THEIR commentary would be the same. Same impeach Hillary bumpumper stickers.. same Hitlet with a mustache. You want to bring about the greatest change to gov’t ever seen… what did you think the right would do hold your hand?
The only thing that upsets me is Joe Wilson and the number of random attacks on black people that seem to be happening since the election.
4) This is MOST important. Black people have developed this very ignorant attitude to criticism: “O you just being a hater.” Despite the fact that I may be bringing up an intelligent point. Why don’t you apply the dirt off your shoulder mentality to racism. I will not deny the existance of racism (although me and peyso will argue about the definition) I will say I do not like our reaction to race problems. Not every situation needs Jesse Jackson, sometimes what you need is some Juan Williams. If the way we were acting was successful, WE would be successful (no drake). You know who is successful Obama, you know who isn’t Jimmy Carter? I’ll listen to a Joe Wilson is racist comment, but not some anti-health care reform people are racist comment. Sh!t I know people on this blog who aren’t with that health care plan.
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ASmith Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 9:49 am
For the most part, I agree with what you’re saying.
I even agree with Obama that more than likely MOST of the people who disagree with him do so because they’re anti-government, not anti-black. And in that, to me this isn’t about agreeing with or not agreeing with the healthcare debate.
It’s about the disrespect for Obama and the fact that it’s beyond the disrespect exhibited towards Bush and that it’s a result of individuals who paint Obama as an other and thus make it ok to treat him in a manner less than befitting of his office.
You’re right about the talking heads, Beck, Hannity and Limbaugh. They are not crazy — they’d never call President Obama a crazy coon or n*gger on air, but they know what to say and how to say to pick at the fear these old white people have of black folks and thus Obama.
Race is a problem all up and through this. Not the problem, but a problem.
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she's a maN.I.A.c, maN.I.A.c on the floor. and she's dancing like she never danced before... Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 10:01 am
Beck did call the President Obama a racist on the air. I guess he was trying to get back at us for Kanye saying Pres. Bush doesn’t like black people.
And another thing, is it me, or does the media only refer to him as Obama instead of “President Obama” or “the President”? I’ve noticed that a lot lately, and not just from FOXNews.
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ASmith Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 10:04 am
And another thing, is it me, or does the media only refer to him as Obama instead of “President Obama” or “the President”? I’ve noticed that a lot lately, and not just from FOXNews.
That’s that “painting him as the other” I’m talking about.
Deliberately misspelling his name, refusing to call him “President”, emphasizing his middle name… ALL that…
Yeah, it’s not really racism, but it’s the ignorance that encourages racism.
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CHeeKZ Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 10:15 am
I’ll watch for the “Obama” instead of Pres more often. Haven’t seen it, but I never use proper titles to begin with so I wouldn’t notice.
And I can’t co-sign this Obama gets it harder than Bush did. Joe Wilson was disrespectful. But Bush had a shoe thrown at him, his past was dug up all the same, he had way more jokes on him, Oreilly actually stepped up and said at one point that the liberal media was doing America a disservice by making its leader look like an idiot (a point I dissagree with, think he actually was an idiot). But the things they attack him for a things that he leaves himself open too and they jsut fan the flames with over the top commentary.
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ASmith Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 10:20 am
Bush had a shoe thrown at him in a foreign country. That doesn’t count.
I don’t recall this level of disrespect for Bush at all, but I definitely don’t recall it in the first 12 months of his Presidency. Yeah, people were pissed because he stole BOTH elections, but even with the first one — that stuff died down in part because of 9/11 and in part because what was the point.
And as Bush did his ridiculous tax cuts to the rich — excuse me — as a GOP controlled Congress did these tax cuts with the support and push from the White House — people didn’t like it, but they didn’t call him a tyrant and a dictator on national news and in protests in DC (they’re not calling President Obama these things, but these would be the equivalent). There’s a respect for the office that his opponents had, at least for the first 12 months Bush was in office that is all but gone for President Obama. That’s all I’m saying.
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CHeeKZ Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 11:04 am
How does that not count? It was a freaking show, lol.
It could be said that the left doesn’t go hard (no drake) like the right, fellow atheist and Cornell Alum, Bill Maher pointed out last week it was b/c we are too wussy to speak with their voice on topic and get out and protest like the idiots.
How could you say Bush was respected? He was called Hitler and had shirt of his face plastered all over. That Good Bush/Bad Bush shirt was FAMOUS (and no bush is a good bush ladies). Did you watch, fellow Cornellian..notice the pattern people, Keith Olberman’s selection called “hmmm Bushed” were he highlighted the current Bush scandal of the day. And this whole “pick on Obama’s aids and find weak links to communism through them” tatic that Beck is on was started by the left b/c of our reaction to Bush’s Cronyism.
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she's a maN.I.A.c, maN.I.A.c on the floor. and she's dancing like she never danced before... Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 11:17 am
all true statements. but like, ASmith, I don’t remember any of that disrespect occurring during the first 9 months of his first term as President.
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ASmith Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 11:19 am
Cheekz. Work with me here. Was Bush disrespected? Hell yeah, but if we relegate comparisons, as I’m trying to do, to the first 12 mos Bush was in office, we’ll see a stark difference.
The level of disrespect I’m seeing for our current President was reserved for Bush’s last 12 months in office, not his first. Not to mention, at that point, Bush deserved far greater than he got.
However — you’re right — the left is not as… hmm… they don’t do as many below the belt hits as the right does. This is true — and so even if Bush was effin up royally in his first 12 months (very much unlike what President Obama is doing) he probably still never would’ve been hit with the type of disrespect we’re seeing for President Obama.
I still think it’s foolhardy to ignore the role race plays. If we solve the race problem will healthcare and all the other major initiatives President Obama wants to pass be like a hot knife through butter (man, that needs a pause, but I can’t put my finger on why)? No, but ignoring it isn’t helping either.
It’s not the dissent, not the disagreement, but the disrespect I’m talking about.
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CHeeKZ Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Asmith I feel you. And I don’t want to dodge the question, but your point is so good you leave me no choice.
Is it possible that America was less partisan than. Let us be honest, before 9/11 people didn’t care this much about how was in charge. We thought both parties were the same and didn’t nothing different (see that brillant Rage Against the Machine Video). People are most desperate now to ruin an administration. I think its a little unfair to compare pre 9/11 Bush and Obama.
ASmith Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 3:20 pm
but your point is so good you leave me no choice.
You’re good at what you do… LOL…
And your point about pre 9/11 Bush is spot on, and worth considering. Though, I think people are more desperate to be right than to ruin anybody.
Sort of off topic, but do you know what was so ingenious about Newt Gingrich’s Contract with America? It took emotional issues and made them political. Gay marriage, abortion, religion, etc… The GOP promised to keep the Democrats from ruining America with these topics and people are still buying into that mess today. Throw in people’s undercover xenophobia as they are able to now, and you got the makings for quite the sh*t show.
Streetztalk Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 11:29 am
I actually own the good bush/bad bush shirt. lmao
and he didnt steal the second election. Kerry lost that one lest be real.
Bush was dissed by the people, but he never had outbursts etc. Come on son son we all know the shyt is racially charged
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CHeeKZ Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Streetz… first off that new 50 cent song with neyo sucks.
2nd.. We can’t say its racially charge without reasonable evidence, than we are just pointing fingers making claims we can’t prove. Which makes us no better than them.
Ill believe Joe Wilson is racist.. I said that. I believe the people with racist, monkey type signs at the tea baggers are racist. I’ll even buy republicans as xenophobes… but this white america is racist ishh has got to stop. We need self improvement as a community and Obama needs to keep up with his promises when he can. No finger pointing anymore, we are in charge. Yeah I said it. You are in charge black man/woman. So you have no excuse. I’ll let you vent come Eff Em Friday, but no more selling yourself short b/c of your skin color.
Streetztalk Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Cheekz,
1) I refuse to talk hip hop with you lol
2) I agree with yuo my point is race has SOMETHING to do with it. Check my later posts on this topic
CHeeKZ Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 4:28 pm
so you admit the song sucks and encourages gold digging?
Rox Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 4:30 pm
In response to CheeKZ… nobody is saying the black folks aren’t accountable for themselves. We ARE, & I’ll be the FIRST to say stop worrying about the 2520s & get to working on ourselves. Ppl don’t feel sorry for us & def aren’t gonna give us handouts – I agree with u wholeheartedly. That being said, it IS about race. Eff a race card, I don’t even know what that looks like – why I need a card to flag what’s norm? Racism abounds (u want evidence? really?). Evidene = when ppl decide to act on that racism & ain’t no need for it to go that far. I know a racist society when I live in one & this is it, but I don’t need KKK acts of terrorism to prove it to me. “Racial issues” permeate every facet of our society. I’m sick of ppl tryin to downplay its existence. The sooner we acknowledge it, stop debating over it, & accept the fact that it aint gonna change (I think MLK(RIP & mad respect)’s dream was idealistic at best neway), the sooner we will be able to lift ourselves up from our own bootstraps so that all the credit leading to our subsequent successes will be due to us – & in the midst of a racist society. How sweet would that be?
Ppl are gonna disgree w/ government whichever way the coin flips; the way many many ppl are choosing to govern their behaviors in light of those disagreements, however, has exploited their inner racists (Jimmy sees it); ppl aren’t just disagreeing, they are writhing in anger & disdain for our Black president, & I, for one, am not gonna deny it for the sake of arguing that we need to do better on our own.
Rox Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Nah, that’s racism. Racism encouraging ignorance.
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nyhoop Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 10:13 am
I’ve definitely noticed that a lot…
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Brookland's OWn Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 10:19 am
“You want to bring about the greatest change to gov’t ever seen… what did you think the right would do hold your hand?”
This might be the most intelligent statement of the day in reference to Ms. Jenkins above post. YES, America is still swarming w/racism, however along w/the point made here by Cheekz, President Obama (that’s who he is and should be addressed as) mentioned that another reason this is such a hot topic is because of the 24/7 media, news, internet, blog, and random other outlets covering it non-stop therefore forcing it onto your psyche. It makes no sense however to bring any of these issues or items up if you’re not going to follow them up w/solution based answers. Also, this is all just DISTRACTING EVERYONE from the real matters at hand, which happens at this point in time to be HEALTH CARE, WAR IN AFGHANISTAN, and THE ECONOMY. These issues currently trump race in the political spectrum but if you’re not paying attention to them, there’s no way to really incite or begin to make the necessary changes this country so desperately needs.
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ASmith Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 10:24 am
Also, this is all just DISTRACTING EVERYONE from the real matters at hand, which happens at this point in time to be HEALTH CARE, WAR IN AFGHANISTAN, and THE ECONOMY.
I do have to do a slow clap for that.
Anti-healthcare reform folks, the real masterminds, not the tea baggers you see parading around like idiots, but the ones who put them up to this ish and then don’t show up… they know EXACTLY what they’re doing and so far it’s working.
However, I still maintain that these same masterminds are preying on some of the ignorance and racism that exists in our country to get what they want.
I really wish I could unearth the popular arguments when the Clintons tried to push healthcare reform…
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The Award Winning RightCoastLexSteele, Devil's Advocate Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 10:28 am
Health Care? War? Economy? Don’t worry about that, I got that….
M-A-R-S. Mars bitches. Red rocks.
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CHeeKZ Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 10:47 am
LMAO!
Classic.. that is what the world is missing. Dave.
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Rox Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I argue the other way; in my opinion, RACISM is trumping health care, war in afghanistan, and the economy rt now. Ppl can’t even see clearly enough to objectively contrive reasonable plans/counter-plans of action. For most of this healthcare reform debate not a single phrase of GOP counter-argument has made logical sense. Is it not as transparent to everyone else that they have realized the potential damage their self-exploitation has/could do & are thusly scrambling to realign their agenda? It’s laughable.
I hope for the best.
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CHeeKZ Reply:
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 am
Rox
My sexy negro freind….
On behalf of Barrack Obama and MLK I would like to tell you… you OD on race homey. Even if it is the underlining issue, it can’t be resolved through “admitting it.” This “everything is racial. Admit you hate us you white devil” concept isn’t a real world approach. There are sound GOP arguements, there are sound anti- Obama arguements. Outside of his race, he has done things differently leaving room for disdain.
Calling every Obama hater a racist is as big a step backward to racial harmony as calling Obama the n-word to begin with. Remember Obama was successful b/c he didn’t grasp on to race, he ran on credentials and concepts. So why are we still holding on to race, be the bigger man…hug a white person today.
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Rox needs to be studying!!!!!!! Reply:
September 24th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
my daddy is white
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Mini Reply:
September 22nd, 2009 at 4:30 pm
“Racism is both a crime and a disease” – C.R.Lawrence
And oftentimes, when someone is pathologically ill they may not realize they even have a problem.
I just want to point out something. Racism is not always a conscious act, therefore you get unconscious racism. Racism is in large part a product of the unconscious. It is a set of beliefs where we irrationally attach significance to something called race, it is something that happens as we grow and develop and therefore it is inter-generational. As much as we would like to get rid of it, you can’t change something if you don’t know it’s there.
Most pale folk will not call you a n***a to your face. Society tells us that’s wrong. But the feelings, stereotypes, and ideas that they have simply manifest themselves in different ways. All acts are not racist, but many are racially motivated.
“Few of us can recall the color of our best friend’s eyes, but when we pass a complete stranger on the street, we will remember his race”
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My grams and I were talking about this other day. I think in a lot of ways that people think just because an African American is in the white house they can no longer says and do racist actions. I hear, I’m not racist because I vote for the man? If I wasn’t racist I wouldn’t have voted for Obama.
But I look at the open disrespect some Americans have for President Obama (and its President Obama not Obama) and I think that some American has always a level of disrespect for African American males in particular. That’s why I believe some people tolerate this because they’re used to this behavior and they don’t see this “criticism” as disrespectful.
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First let me begin by outing Ms. Jenkins as 31 years old. I don’t know who you think you foolin’ w/ that 2x bullsh*t. Get ready for that 15yr HS reunion!
I’ll follow suit and bring the real sans fluff as well. I’m not going to sit here and say that racism has disappeared, but a lot of times when things happen the only reason race is an issue is because black folk bring it up. Yea…I said it. Let’s take the case w/ the Cambridge 5-0 for a second. When most of the facts surfaced everyone was quick to call the officer racist, ignoring the fact that despite the fact dude was in his own house, he refused to cooperate and began a one-sided game of the dozens w/ the cop. Black, white or otherwise, if you start snappin on my mama while I’m trying to do my job, we gonna have a problem.
While there is most certainly a segment of the population that may not respect the Pres. because they can’t wrap their head around having a black Commander in Chief, let’s keep in mind that it was an overwhelming majority of voters from this country that voted to put him in this office. So it’s kind of hard for me to sit back and label everything white folks do as racist when they were at least able to set race to the side to elect the person they felt was most qualified for the job.
As for the people that don’t see race, I think they still understand the dynamics at play, but just don’t think it applies to them because they aren’t “like the others”. Talented 10th anyone? And for us buppies that went to college and now have semi-white collar jobs, please don’t sit here and tell me you don’t think you’re better than those that didnt make it and that you still identify w/ them. If you’ve never had to deal w/ taking a bs job because you still have a record because of some dumb sh*t you did when you were younger, or had to feed kids sans PA because a bureaucrat has determined you make just enough not to qualify, then you can’t identify. While race is an issue in this country, class is an even bigger issue. Always keep that in mind.
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Brookland's OWn Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 10:28 am
“While race is an issue in this country, class is an even bigger issue. Always keep that in mind”
TRU SPIT!
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Rox needs to be studying!!!!!!! Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 5:14 pm
& race + class is an even bigger issue. I can go all day ppl.
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Rox Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 5:13 pm
“it’s kind of hard for me to sit back and label everything white folks do as racist when they were at least able to set race to the side to elect the person they felt was most qualified for the job”
that’s u. but lots of folk know better. Palin sucked. Period.
“If you’ve never had to deal w/ taking a bs job because you still have a record because of some dumb sh*t you did when you were younger, or had to feed kids sans PA because a bureaucrat has determined you make just enough not to qualify, then you can’t identify.”
Just wow… how many ppls mommas or daddys on this blog came from just such environments, somehow made it out alive, & fought tooth & nail for u to get that degree u now boast that heralds u among the top black folk banging on that glass ceiling separating us from equality? & mine will never let me forget it for a second.
& to add another note, even if someone couldn’t identify, that doesn’t mean they can’t empathize, give back or fight the power just the same. In a country like ours, being black & somehow having the resources to do more for yourself doesn’t make u better, it makes u fortunate.
oh boy RCLS
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I’m feeling this post, seriously. I had a college professor say that said “Perception is reality”. And we all have experienced the struggle that the “black perception” has caused us. Is it impossible to overcome? In most cases no, but it definitely creates some frustrating hair pulling moments.
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As I continue to say. Post racial society is a fallacy. It’s always going to be prevalent and if race is ‘eraced” then itll be something else used to prejudge a group or class of individuals.
People are still getting used to a Black president. Some of the shyt Obama had to deal with I’ve never seen a president have to endure. Even Bush got respected off the strength!
As Seattle said last week, I’m also sick and tired of people using black peoples actions to classify us all. Im tired of black people doing that to our own also.
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nyhoop Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 10:52 am
“…I’m also sick and tired of people using black peoples actions to classify us all. Im tired of black people doing that to our own also.”
Streetztalk, can you elaborate please? thanks
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Streetztalk Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 10:57 am
LOL @ the username… dont start no mess woman!
Nah what I mean is that we’ll be the first to classify us all as “pulling Kanye’s and Lil Mama acts”. Like we’ll cosig on what others say, KNOWING that one mans actions doesnt define how my race will act!
Sorry if I sound incoherent. Typin fast and tired. lol
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P.S. Last Dragon >>>
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“Sometimes I’m envious of Black people who ‘don’t see race’ or think about how it impacts their lives.”
You and me both. I wish I could be colorblind. Then again I’ve heard colorblindess in regards to race relaions causes people to lose focus on the diversity that makes up an indvidual. I’m all for recognizing diversity, because each culture is unique. But I digress.
I was the only black person at my first job. I couldn’t help but think about race everyday. Sometimes people made comments regarding black or me as a black person. I’ve been called the colored girl, that black girl and asked if I rolled my neck, could dance or what was with the Aunt Jemima look. If I were a lesser of a person, some people would have gotten cussed out. However, I made sure to be nice and polite because at the end of the day I didn’t want my actions to be viewed as how all black people act. It sucks when you have to walk on eggshells and can’t say what you really want, especially to ignorance.
People think because we have a “black” president that racial ignorance and prejudices are gone. That mindset will never help us move forward. There is still much progresion that needs to be dones. Hopefully it won’t take hundreds of years. But I am optimistic that one day we truly will be judged by the content of our character and not the color of our skin.
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LoudPen Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 11:44 am
I understand why you behaved that way at that job, but, to play the devil’s advocate, your behavior could be called submissiveness. Since you didn’t stand up for yourself (which I understand cuz integrity don’t pay the bills), weren’t you pertpetuating the idea that it is okay to continue to make ignorant statements to black ppl. cuz they aren’t going to say anything? Like it seems like we bite our tongues to keep our jobs and so they continue to say ignorant things because they know that we can’t truly retaliate. Essentially, it seems like we’re still trapped. They still own us.
If you would’ve said, just because I roll my eyes, doesn’t mean I’m a Jemima or that I represent an entire race (of millions) cuz I’m only one person then you would’ve gotten fired. So, in essence freedom ain’t here yet…it’s truly not a post-racial society, because, you would’ve never been in that position if it were. So yes, I agree completely with what you did, but, it saddens me that we still must censor ourselves. I want to say Power to the People but, right now I don’t feel very powerful.
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Toni Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 2:25 pm
O Devil’s Advocate was my High School newspaper lol. Good point though. I’ve actually wondered that to myself. By trying to not be the angry black woman, I am allowing people to bask in ignorance and seem like the docile slave girl. It’s like having to walk a tightrope. Sometimes you have to set people straight (in a nice way of course). Ignorance is bliss, but I for one am tired of allowing it. There is no need to rant unless you tell the person. We need freedom people, not free dumb people (the words of a wise griot).
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An enlightened African American blogger once wrote “Perhaps we need a few more JFKs & RFKs before we got a Barak”. I agree with her
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Word ups to your entire post, Tiff! I usually have more to add since this topic is one of my favorites as anyone who knows me on the internets and reallifenets can vouch, but today is Monday and I have a terrible headache…AND I’m at work (am I a masochist?). Anyhow.
Alls I gotta say is that if folks keep ignoring racism as it doesn’t exist, how do we plan on fixing it? I’m sure everyone wants to make it to this “post-racial society”, but please believe, using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on it in one swoop ain’t gonna cut it. It took years to build, it will take thrice as long to destroy.
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I have no idea what to say to this post which is why I probably shouldn’t be commenting, but, I digress. I had to bite the bullet for most of my life since I attended mostly white schools, so, I made the decision to attend an HBCU. Now, I’m in the workforce and I’m working at a school in BK (if u know NYC you know what school) that is mostly black/Carribbean as far as staff and students. So, my world is still largely black.
Yet, a few months ago I was working at a restaurant where I met my current best friend who is white. Anyways, yesterday we were hanging out and she tells her male friend that I used to joke around and sing slave songs at work. Which I did (I’m ignant at times) but, I did it once. ONCE. So, why would she bring up this joke and act as if it happened several times when it happened once. ONCE.
I didn’t say anything, but, after this post…I will. I guess I just realized that after all these months of being friends, and me educating her on so many aspects of being black…she could still be so ignorant. It’s crazy to me. But, I know I have my own biases. I always identify ppl. by race, skin color, and other classifications. It’s like I won’t let ppl. just be themselves. I have to group and label them first. Why is that?
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Slim Jackson Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 11:44 am
As awful as this sounds, I think it’s just easier to quickly classify and keep it moving. It’s easier to be like “that’s an angry Black guy” than “that’s a guy who is mad because someone prolly pissed him off”
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LoudPen Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 11:50 am
Good point. Now, I don’t feel so bad anymore.
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Rox Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 4:46 pm
But I’m saying tho, he’s probably got mad stuff to be mad at – he lives in the US. What I’m also sayin is that he should say “hell yeah, I’m angry” but keep it moving, understanding what’s what, know when to play the game (like not steppin to la policia & recognizing that 2520s may be sufficient chums at times but most often not much more), remembering where he came from, never losing sight of where he wants to & will be, & preachs it to the chilrens followin in his footsteps.
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CHeeKZ Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 3:12 pm
wait… but you did sing the song.
why are you mad?
I would just let this go. I think you felt comfortable showing that side of yourself with your white bff and got salty when she showed it to her freind, so the issue would be with her keeping shit between you and her, not race.
????????????
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Rox Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I agree, I can see how the issue is more about the confines of sharing “friend” things w/ outsiders, but I can also see how u may feel a tinge or “racial” apprehension about sharing this particular experience w/ someone u know less about or don’t have the same relationship with who COULD subsequently associate it with race. But again, that’s just something more u could mention to ur bff; it’ll probably make u bff&e&e
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I see your point and maybe I am just wrong. But, I dunno it bothered me…like I joke around a lot and that was one of the jokes that stuck out in her mind? Keep in mind I am her first black friend. (I know this for a FACT)
And I could give a hoot about keeping the joke between us…it’s a joke not a life secret. But, maybe I won’t say anything. I think my problem is I think too much. It just seemed odd seeing my white friend impersonate me singing a slave song…which may I add I did ONCE. ONCE. It’s not a ongoing joke. Nevermind, my ass ain’t never telling that joke again. It’s prolly my own damn fault as you hinted to.
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LoudPen Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 4:50 pm
I hate being wrong. This sucks…I will have to figure out how to convince myself I’m right later.
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Rox Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 4:59 pm
LOL, nah! Read my suggestion above. Don’t deny ur gut feeling. This whole blog & it’s comments are about staying real & true to ourselves & the unfortunate circumstances we live in that force us to keep our mouths shut or second guess ourselves. U have every right to feel the way u do. Just how ppl like to say that “not everything is about race,” I think it’s just as imperative to say that “not everything is not about race.” It’s unfair to try to make something “not about race” that may actually be about race just for the sake of not being THAT black person “making it about race.” That’s just as defensive as the action of what ppl like to call “pulling the race card.” At the end of the day, what’s most healthy is to reflect & talk out what seems important to u.
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ASmith Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 4:58 pm
I wouldn’t beat myself up about it, though.
Having 2520 friends, especially close 2520 friends can be tricky. Some of ‘em get it, others of ‘em have to be taught, though… Cheekz has a point. This sounds like you were just upset that she spilled something that should’ve been between just the two of you. Obvi most black folks understand there’s no reason to bring that up again whether you did it once or a thousand times. There’s a way to address that without it being “you’re white so you don’t get it, but lemme break it down for you…” Wonder if you thought for a moment if you could think of other times she’s opened her mouth and let some stuff out she shouldn’t… ::shrug::
I made a huge mistake at work, once, and I shared it with a coworker (who I was friends with before I got this job). She thought it was hilarious and I laughed along trying to get rid of the embarrassment, but truly, I was pissed at myself. She brought it up a few more times but I would always change the subject. Recently, she brought it up again, but couldn’t remember the details. She was ROFL (almost literally) while I was side-eyeing her to death. The other coworker she was attempting to relay the story to picked up on it very quickly. “ASmith doesn’t seem to think that’s so funny…” and it wasn’t until that moment that she got it. “You don’t think it’s funny?” she asked me…
Your situation probably won’t work just like that, and my situation had nothing at all to do with race, just saying… it’s a people thing (plus some racial stuff for your situation)….
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