As we enter the Thanksgiving Holiday, here are a few things I’m not thankful for. These video clips below illustrate some of the deep-seated problems that we not only have in this country, but globally, in relation to racial stereotypes. I’m not thankful for the amount of crap and problems racial stereotypes have caused in our society. I’m not thankful for the amount of explaining I have to do insisting that I don’t dance, eat chicken everyday, and or rap. I’m not thankful that we as society have yet to really deal with these issues on a macro level. I’m not thankful for the tensions that exist between Blacks, Asians, Latinos, poor Whites, and Pacific Islanders in connection to racial stereotypes. I’m also not thankful having to prove my narrative as a valid one in White Supremacist institutions. And I’m dang sure not thankful for the types of looks my wife and I get walking our little girl down the street at certain times and in certain neighborhoods.
Now…for many of you reading this, you may be wondering why we’re still talking about this issue. Haven’t we moved beyond this? Aren’t we making progress in this country? Are we still dealing with this type of madness? Yes, we’re still here. We’re still here, and until we all come to the table and engage with these issues in a very real and open way, we will continue to remain here, and it will only get worse.
We are at a great moment in history to really begin dealing with some of these issues. I see new generations of students beginning to break down what previous generations have built up on and in the wall of racism. So I do take hope in that, and am very thankful for a new crop of young people who want to make a difference and actually make a better world, not just talk about it.
Take a look at the videos below and begin to ask yourself: just how deep does this racism really go? In addition, how do you respond to “funny” racial stereotypes; maybe even funny true racial stereotypes? Alternatively, are minorities and or people of color just being too sensitive? Hmmm.
Video 1
Video 2
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There is no doubt that racism is deeply ingrained in our culture and requires generations to change. Just when I think I'm free of it, I recognize some attitude in my heart that betrays it. I hope I haven't shown it to my friends of color, but I suspect I have and they have been gracious enough not to slap my face.
That said, one has to question what the best response is to racism. You can be angry, and I sense that in some of your posts. And sometimes anger is appropriate. Jesus was angry at the Pharisee's as they did not enter the kingdom and prevented others from going in. At other times, the people we should be angry at are dead and gone. The damage they have done to our culture goes on.
In the commercial about skin whitening in India, who is the villain? Yes, it reflects racism, but getting angry at "white" people doesn't seem to me be helpful in that situation.
A couple years ago, while volunteering in Cameroon at a hospital there, I noticed that the beauty ads and posters in barber shops feature models that had a quite a bit lighter skin tone than the average Cameroonian. What really made that odd, was that the people in Cameroon who had that skin tone were the Fulanis from the northern part of the country who had historically raided the south and sold captives into the slave trade. There is still suspicion and hostility against the northern tribes, but their lighter skin color is admired.
On the other hand in when I was volunteering at in Kenya, my Kikuyu friends commented about another Kenyan (not a Kikuyu) that he wasn't black enough.
I think racism is a form of tribalism and there are aspects of colonialism and nationalism that are mixed in. I think that even where colonialism is despised, there are elements of the Stockholm syndrome that are at play. The oppressed comes to want to be like the oppressor at times, at least to be powerful, to be successful and sometimes that mean looking like the oppressor, i.e., lightening your skin, even though Indian independence is now generations old.
I thought the watermelon soda can was in bad taste. It was interesting that there was a white kid on one side of the can and a black kid on the other side of the can. Would you have been happier with a white and a Korean? or two whites? I found the cartoonish drawings a little disgusting and would have been unlikely to buy any, even though I like watermelons.
It is possible that you're a little oversensitive about watermelons. I ate a lot of watermelon and chicken growing up and my family still eats a fair amount. I could imagine personally getting teased about it at some point. And I could imagine that you might be offended by getting teased the same way (don't know for sure, I'm just imagining now). I understand that how the comment is made and whether it is in the context of other racist remarks would make a big difference. I don't think I would test my friendship with any black brother I know by teasing him about fried chicken or watermelon. That would just be stupid.
Sorry this response was so long and meandering, and hope I haven't been too direct and personal.
doc
Hey Doc,
Thanks for the post here. These are good words and a good conversation indeed.
Racism does run deep. It's almost everywhere in Western society, and, as you have testified to your own experience and narrative, in other parts of the world as well--at least a form of it. While I would agree that blaming White people is not a good thing to do, I do think it is good to attack White racism in all its forms. Be it direct or indirect--the indirect being the more lethal, no one in their right mind would go on television today saying White is better and everything else is "less than." But, we will run television shows like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and not have one person of color be on the show to show off their "smarts." Or, we'll have television shows where the White person (particularity the male) is the one in charge and the boss. These subtle aspects of racism are what grind my gears daily. Not just me, but there is a collection of social theory posited around racism and White Supremecy. I continue to stand against that in all forms.
Angry? Yes, very. But I've also been able to process and deal with some of this anger. Anger, at least for me, is not a bad thing when managed, acknowledged, and put into the light with friends and community. Anger is a good motivator and mover. It can also keep the critical eye sharp. Am I sensitive to racist comments like the watermelon jokes? Of course...I don't know too many Blacks who aren't. But where do we go?
That is the question. And one that I continue to wrestle with as well as put forth to my students who deal with these very issues. All I can say is that bridge building is the way. But it's hard being on that bridge because darts are coming from both sides and the bridge could fall apart at any time leaving me in the valley of "sell out" and "uncle Tom." Still, I have to believe that its the right thing and one that has me giving a large part of my life too. The second part to that is listening and listening for change, not to argue my point. That is a hard thing to do....but with intercultural communication, if it's not difficult, then its not really intercultural communication....
Good words! Keep the conversation going my friend!