I’m Causing Racism…?
I’m sorry to have to say this, but the truth is that when it comes to race, there are far too many people out there speaking who don’t need to be.
I’m not talking about the famous people, like the activists and politicians. Heck, their positions and demonstrated dedication alone at least give them the right to give their views on race, an issue that has been, and continues to be, prevalent in this country.
Instead, I’m talking about you! The readers, the commentators, and the callers. Actually, most of you who are reading this, on Blackonomy.com, probably aren’t the people I’m talking about, but for those of you who are familiar with one medium or another that allows its constituency to voice their thoughts, knows what I’m talking about.
Take for example this piece on ESPN.com, where Stephen A. Smith, a black columnist, responds to what people have written in his mailbag. Focus particularly on those commenting on race, both in the article and in the comment section of the piece as well. There, you will find numerous people, telling Stephen how he, an educated black man paid to give his opinion, should address race.
You’ll find people telling Stephen that he is bitching about racism. Many of them tell him that race isn’t an issue and that by talking about it, he and other blacks who “complain” about race, are the reasons that racism exist. And some even go as far to say that racism does not exist at all.
Now, obviously, I don’t know the color of the people making comments like that, but I’m going to take a stab in the dark and say they aren’t black. I could be totally wrong, and I could be making an ass of myself by assuming that, but I haven’t heard those sentiments from 99.9% of the black people I’ve met. So if I had to make an educated guess, then I would say that black people aren’t telling other black people that “when black people quit bitching about race,” racism will end. Just haven’t heard those words out of a black person’s mouth yet, you know?
That said, where do people get the courage? Is it liquid courage? Are these people drunk? Or are they just high on some type of drug? They have to be on something, because for anyone to tell another whether they are legitimately being oppressed has to be the dumbest thing anyone could ever do.
I don’t understand it. How can anyone who is not black tell a black person that race is no longer an issue in this country? Forget the fact that blacks make up an extraordinary portion of people in prison, while people guilty of white-collar crimes that have stolen money from hundreds of thousands of people get far fewer days in the slammer. Forget the fact that in the Jena-6 situation in Louisiana, a group of white boys who beat up a black boy were charged far less harshly than a black boy who returned the favor. Forget the fact that a black man was shot to death for no justifiable reason and his killers (who were of all colors) walked off Scott-free.
But no, they won’t admit that there is a race issue in the United States. They being the faceless cowards, who go nameless, have no way of being contacted, who would probably not say half of the things they say on TV, radio and the Internet (and Bill O’Reilly) in the face of another black person. They want me, a black person, to believe that by writing about race, by having a site called “The Blackonomy”, and by talking about race I’m the problem that I’m the reason race is still a problem in America?
In actuality, raising these issues is exactly what has led us so far a way from the oppression of black people. Abolitionists spoke up and acted to free slaves. Then people who wanted to end Jim Crow and other forms of oppression marched, preached and discussed race all the way through the Civil Rights movement. Without the voices of those people who spoke, where would black people be today? I’m scared to know the answer.
I’m just as scared to know where we will be in 2048, if people like Stephen A., and writers, columnists and activists who do a whole lot more for the benefit of black people than I do, were to listen to the naysayers and never mention race in America again. Nah, I don’t want to know the answer to that, and I hope I never have to.
[...] Instead, I’m talking about you! The readers, the commentators, and the callers. Actually, most of you who are reading this, on Blackonomy.com, probably aren’t the people I’m talking about, but for those of you who are familiar with one medium or another that allows its constituency to voice their thoughts, knows what I’m talking about. Read More… [...]
The Blackonomy: “I’m Causing Racism…?” « Social Diatribe said this on August 18, 2008 at 12:27 pm |
I am a white male and I agree there is a problem still today with race. And I agree when an issue comes up where race is an apparent issue, an example needs to be made.
I agree that young black children growing up in inner city neighborhoods have allot more against them than white children growing up in the middle class neighborhood. And I know many white people that do not respect the positions of black people.
But I also feel black people need to accept some responsibility too. Far to often when a black man commits a crime, he will be defended almost unconditionally by many of his peers. This man that committed a crime gives black people a bad name yet he is respected more than the police that are trying to bring peace and safety to their neighborhoods.
Maybe if white people saw black people rise and stand up to the criminals and gang bangers in their neighborhoods instead of for them. Black people need to say “this is not acceptable”. Maybe if more black people worked with police to clean up their neighborhoods there would be less harassment of innocent young black men just walking down the street. Even in black middle class neighborhoods, young black kids try to emulate the inner city gangs (I know, white kids do it too). Why do you let these criminals dictate what a black man is? Even in music a criminal is respected. We need to teach our children these are not men to respect. We need to teach our children that men that die for what is right is the men who should be respected, black OR white. And we need to condemn these men that kill even their own race just to show how tough they are.
Many black people say I should have no opinion on this because I have no idea what it’s like being black. I sympathize with black people and the burden they carry. I realize this is not something I’ve every had to deal with and I’m sure it’s not easy. But I am human and I do have feelings. I was born in a low income family and I struggle to keep my kids in a good environment. I am pissed at the rich for taking much more than they give. I’m tired of not having nice things like a flat panel TV or a new Lexus. I feel I’ve been overlooked and pushed aside. But I can’t blame my race for that. I have to accept the fact my parents couldn’t send me to college for a better education. I have to work hard so my kids have a better chance.
Mike, I certainly do think that you should have an opinion on issues like this, even if you are white. It’s only with dialogue that we can overcome these issues.
That said, I do have to disagree with you on several points. First, I’m not sure what you think black people should take responsibility for. You say that we unconditionally defend the man who has committed a crime, but what you are neglecting is that A.) usually this man has not been put under trial, so it would be wrong of you to have assumed he has committed a crime, and B.) if it does appear as if we are defending someone who “may be guilty,” we are not defending the person, we are making an outcry against the justice system. But please, if you can come up with an example where supported someone who was found guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt please give me that example.
Secondly, what do you mean “maybe if more black people worked with police to clean up their neighborhoods there would be less harassment of innocent young black men.” First of all, if working with the police is a requirement for not getting harassed, then something is terribly wrong with the system. If I’m not guilty of anything, the police aren’t supposed to bother me. I’ve never heard anybody suggest to a white person that in order to prevent getting harassed by a policemen they should start bringing cookies and sharing ideas down at the local police station. Secondly, your statement assumes that black people don’t work with the police or that we don’t adequately pitch in our community. You say that “more black people” should work with the police, but do you actually have any clue as to how involved blacks are with the criminal justice system in their areas, or are you just assuming that we don’t participate at all. I think you should really explore, because as someone who has only lived in Brooklyn for a mere 2 years, I have seen countless efforts by community members to make the neighborhoods a safer place.
Mike, I do appreciate your opinion though, and believe me, even though I disagree, I’d rather hear your honest response to a piece like the one I’ve written than not hear one at all. Like I said, we can only talk through these points. The people before us performed every action they could to get society to point we are at now. Now it’s just a matter of people making up their own minds and deciding whether or not to perpetuate wrong information and segregation. Perhaps one day, we will reach a consensus.