Faceless black man telling you what you will never know about blacks, PoCs, minorities and so on.
You don't have to like it, but you will respect it.
The Unequal Opportunity Race
Short film for the African American Policy Forum, showing metaphors for obstacles to equality which affirmative action tries to alleviate.
Pay attention.
This is the very definition of racism. If you fail this test, your argument is invalid.
There will be a pop quiz later.
We grow weary of all these what if scenarios of the George Zimmerman case. We also have grown tired of the historical & possible genetics background of this man. These items are trivial and shouldn’t (and will not) be used to judge the crime that happened.
While we do question the evidences, there are a few clear-cut things that should make this trial-worthy, which includes his unwillingness to obey a 911 officer and that the police only found a can of ice tea and candy on the victim, Trayvon Martin.
We are happy that the charges may include a hate crime (which we thought was the case), but we want you to understand that our views are simple…
… let this be about a man that killed a boy based on what he thought. Trying to demean/blame the victim or trying to prove that Zimmerman is not racist is not going to help justice.
Justice is about being equal and fair for all living beings, not about your personal view on life.
We ran across this a few years ago and we figured to post it up here. It’s about the time when Asher Roth said that he hanged with “nappy headed hoes” once. This inspired him to make a video cautioning people about being “extra comfortable”…
When people comes together, the bounties change, but you never stop having bounties in any healthy relationship.
Check out this gem of a video.
One of the ironies of white racial identity is that white Americans tend to see themselves in non-racial terms, as the norm against which all other groups are compared. This perception of whiteness as “normal” distances all other groups and reinforces the power relationships that have been imbedded in U.S. society since colonial days. Whites regard themselves as “just people” and see only “others” as having race. For example, in causal discussions and everyday conversations, whites often mention the race of non-whites, even when racial identities are not relevant to the story. For example, a white American might say, “This black guy asked me for directions to city hall,” identifying race even though it plays no particular role in the anecdote. When people are not identified by their race (“This guy asked me for directions to city hall.”), the assumption is that they are white: normal people who need not further description. This view places whites in a highly privileged status. “Other people are raced, we are just people”…. There is no more powerful position than that of being ‘just’ human. The claim to power is the claim to speak for the commonality of humanity. Raced people can’t do that—they only speak for their own race. Just as whites tend to be unaware of their racial identity, they also tend to be unaware of the privileges that attend “whiteness.” Sociologist Peggy McIntosh notes that whites (like men) are reluctant to acknowledge their privilege vis-à-vis non-whites (women). This denial is a way of protecting the privilege—if it doesn’t exist, it doesn’t have to be explained, examined, or defended.
— Joseph F. Healey, Diversity and Society: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender (via humanformat)
Anonymous asked: What are "white tears?" The way some users talk about them, they seem to be taking disturbingly gleeful delight in human suffering.
“White tears” basically means we’re mocking the white person based on white privilege. (Some) White people feels that the world evolves around them and that PoC should “lighten up”.
Most of the time, “white tears” is used to describe a situation where a white person doesn’t understand why things do not go their way when a PoC in the same position will have less luck on their side.
Let’s give an example:
Black Americans get longer prison sentences than White Americans for the same crimes. [source] In some incidents, a White person may get a light sentence (1 year or mere months), and then they started to cry. These are “white tears”. A black person for the same crime may get harsher, longer sentences. We can’t think of any recent cases at the moment, however.
White tears also happen when White people ask a question to PoC, and when they get an answer they don’t like, they try to defend themselves by bringing up counter questions. For example, look up White people dressing up as Native Indians, or our FAQ… “Why can’t we say the word nig**?” These are questions that are answered over and over again, but no matter how many times we explain, they tend to defend their position and still go ahead with the opposite to the answer. Therefore, we mock them.
White people’s “suffering” is at best minimum. True, there are cases when it’s no laughing matter… like death, or the terminally ill, or cases where they can’t mentally cope. This type of suffering, of course, are not white tears. But if they are complaining about the long line at the airport and think they deserve special treatment above all other people because there is no POSSIBLE way they are terrorist because we’re GOD-FEARING creatures and don’t trust MUSLIMS… white tears.
Now, the video we posted we labeled “white tears”, when it’s really a “First World Problem” called the “empty nest syndrome”, is a bit misleading. We find the video funny… but let’s be real… someone will make a GIF of the video saying “White Tears” in a few days/weeks.
Oh, and the first person to explain “White tears” to us… is an actual White person. Ha, who knew?
So, I was watching Slavery By Another Name and was pretty much shocked (not at the special, but at the details), and was talking about it on Twitter. Sadly, I have this one white guy telling me that they are “not affected by slavery”. I took the bait… wasted 1 hour talking to someone who claims that the solution is to “stop talking about the past” and “let’s look forward”. That’s easier said than done, my friend. Here’s why…
Because as much as I want to, you won’t allow me to do it.
Here’s what I’m talking about: Suppressing the problem or pretending that it shouldn’t exist is what people want us (black people) to do. I do find not talking about it easier. But at the same time, I know it will always be a subject.
That’s odd. I’m angry because I can’t be normal.
I don’t wanna talk past feelings, but y’all get to talk about your “proud” history. When I talk about my history tho, you’re like “shut up, I don’t wanna hear about slavery.” The thing is, it’s YOUR history, too. Own up to it!
Without slavery, you would not enjoy the benefits of it. “There are no slaves in America today,” one would say. But you’re enjoying the benefits of the work. America became a superpower because of slavery. (White) Americans became wealthy because of how they twist the laws. Your white ancestors got wealthy off the backs of black people. Everyday, there’s a benefit you enjoy.
When the depression came and went, who got the help first? White people. It would be years before blacks get assistance.
And now your history books got American history… a twisted, white washed version of it. George Washington owned slaves, but guess what? You’ll never find it in your high school history text books. I didn’t know George Washington owned slaves until I read a passage from a George Washington book that I randomly picked up at… get this… Barnes and Nobles… LAST year. (I even have a video of me reading that particular page)
Today, I saw these packages in the frozen food section:
I lived in a predominantly white neighborhood. To see these images, to see people that look like me on the box is a precious thing. I don’t get to see this often unless I go to a specialty shop or a black food market. True, I don’t agree with the food choices, but I’ll take it.
Before you ask “why make a big deal of food packaging,” please go to your supermarket and tell me what “black foods” you see there. If you can find more than 3, let me know.
I don’t wanna talk about racism… or slavery… but those events happened over 100 years ago. Not 500 years ago, not 300 years ago. 100 years ago. Slaves were free, yet they were not free. People who are 60-70 LIVING TODAY talking about never seeing their uncles, aunts or parents because of trumped up charges. Things that are still going on today. Yet you want me to not talk about it.
I don’t wanna talk about racism or slavery.
But, if you’re going to sweep it under the rug, it tells me a few things about you. That you just wanna skip the difficult part. That you don’t wanna face the truth. That you just want everything to be peachy.
Someone on Twitter again told me “you’re enjoying the benefits too!” Yes, you’re right. I am enjoying the benefits. Yes, I get to enjoyed the fact that I get racial profiled. I get pulled over by cops as part of my daily life. I don’t dress like a “thug”. Sometimes, I get to my jobs late because I may forget my wallet (you know, my ID) at home.
I get to enjoy the fact that I have to manipulate my name to make it “sound white” so that I can get my resume looked at. My full name gives people pause.
I get to enjoy the fact that if I do something wrong, I represent the millions of black people on the face of the earth. If a white person makes a mistake, that person makes a mistake. If I make a mistake, that race makes a mistake.
Wow, what benefits I get to enjoy! I faced racism everyday, even when I don’t think about it.
It’s like I said in my poem long time ago…
I said I got a solution
U said you’re causing the problem
I said it’s just one thing
U said it ain’t worth 2 solve em
I said I got morals
U said morals just make u weak
I said I wanna talk now
U said deal with u next week
I said ur speaking funny
U said I’m speaking da truth
I said it’s the bad dat influence more
U said ignorance’s within the youth
I said I’m multi-background
U said your just another black
I said I got mad potential
U laughed now that’s a wisecrack
I said that I’m the future
U continued that’s doom to repeat
I said I got mad goals
U said it ain’t all that sweet
I said I’m respecting myself
U said it’s just for the money
I said I’m highly educated
U asked r u trying to be funny(White) People tell me to “work hard and you’ll get to where you wanna go.” Fine, I can work hard. But you know what? There’s white people doing average work and they get rewards for mediocre. I can’t even aim for average. Not that I want to aim for average, but what if that’s all I wanna be? No, I have to be “above average” to get any type of respect.
You don’t wanna talk about racism, yet if you read that last paragraph and laughed at me, then you don’t get what I’m saying at all. And if you don’t understand, you’re the reason why I don’t think we can never NOT have this conversation.
</rant>
Do you love America?
We been asked that before. Many times before. Usually by White people. Mostly because they don’t think we’re Patriotic when it comes to certain views. We never understood why this is a fall back question.
I mean, we are American. We were born on American soil. We do have an option to leave the country, but here we choose to stay. We guess the reason why we get asked this questions is mostly because we don’tpledgeour allegiance to America. Let’s review the pledge, shall we:
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Ever consider the wording? Let’s break it down…
“to the republic”
America was founded as a republic. But what is America today? America is still a republic. One that uses a democratic process to maintain its political leadership. Obviously a republic couldn’t exist without the democratic process, so it follows that America is also a democracy. Its defining characteristic is that power ultimately rests with the people. The Oxford Dictionary defines democracy as: “Government by the whole people of a country, especially through representatives whom they elect”. Wikipedia again slightly alters the meaning, but it is much much more subtle: “Democracy is a form of government in which state-power is held by the majority of citizens within a country or a state”. Did you see it? The 1980 definition suggest unity when it says “whole people,” when Wikipedia says “the majority of citizens,” which suggests that majority rules. Both definitions can be accepted as being equal, but it is important to point out there are some proponents of republicanism that feel strongly the original intent of the Constitution was to protect individual rights versus mob-rule. If you’re really paranoid, you might see this is an attempt to remove the idea that the founders advocated individualism. Then again, just because you’re paranoid does not mean that someone isn’t really chasing you. [source]
Sometimes, tho, this isn’t the case. Take the election of George W. Bush for example. Also, sometimes, the will of a few represents “the will of the people” when it comes to some decisions. But sometimes, the will of the people is overpowered by the will of a few. Think of the 99% crisis for example. We don’t agree with all their ideas, but the majority of the message is true.
“under God”
When we used to say the Pledge, we omitted God. Why? We don’t believe in a single deity. (Not to say we don’t believe in a deity. But this is another story) We have a right to omit that. Sadly, this is a debate that is so controversial, we rather point out another source. But the fact that so many people are against omitting God from the pledge is very telling. Of what? We’ll get to that later.
“indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”
And here’s the part of the pledge that we have problems with the most.
Liberty is the ability to self-govern. In other words, we are able to say anything, do anything and accept the reactions that comes long with it. Sadly, there are times when we (as PoC) are told to “code ourselves” for mainstream (white) acceptance. We can’t be outselves, or do things unless it’s acceptable by the majority. While some of these things are apparent and obvious, most are not. For example, we know that if you don’t speak English, the chances of you getting a reasonable job is lowered because that’s what the majority of the country speaks. However, it shouldn’t stop you from getting ANY job. There are laws that protects people who speak a language other than English. But sometimes, Liberty doesn’t always smile upon the less fortunate.
Same goes for justice. A clear example is Trayvon Martin, a young man who was killed and his killer was free for weeks before charges were brought, thanks to a law called “Stand Your Ground”, which we believe was falsely put into action. A another case, with the Stand Your Ground law, was a woman who stood her ground, Marissa Alexander, who was recently sentence to 20 years who firing a warning shot that killed no one.
We’re not even going to talk about other issues that we also cover, like LGBT, female rights, PoC struggles, job discrimination, education reform, the prison industry… the list goes on and on.
While America does have it’s share of problems, it’s our patriotic duty to make sure that these issues, as well as other injustice, are heard. And we will be heard.
However, until the pledge will not be recited by us. And in this country, it’s protected by the First Amendment. And if you disagree… tough.
On that note, we bid you good night.
I think your blog is really cool, it definetly makes me question what I think and why that is my stance. It also exposes a lot a issues I was unaware of. Sometimes I don’t really understand some of the things you reblog though. You reblog a lot of stuff that kind of hates on white people. Wouldn’t hating white people be just as racist as hating all African-Americans? Or all Asians? I don’t mean for this to come off sounding critical, I’m just interested in finding out your opinion on this.Anonymous
Thanks! Well, I’m white; from your logic, if that stuff what just about ‘hating white people’ for no reason, does it make sense to you that I would support it? It isn’t. Hating white people is definitely not the same as hating People of Color (PoC). Basically, white people run the country, and always have, and in order to stay in power and keep all the power and privileges for themselves, they use racism as a tool to abuse and oppress PoC. We spread propaganda that they were inferior and less human than we so we could enslave them so that we could benefit from their free labor, and even though slavery is over now, things still work much the same way. Racism=power+oppression, and currently white people have all the power, so it is a total joke to say that there can be racism against us. There isn’t. Racism is a systematic tool, it’s way more complicated than just hating someone for the color of their skin. Many (most?) racist white people don’t hate all PoC, that’s not what racism is; it’s keeping PoC at a disadvantage that we benefit from. It’s arresting and imprisoning large percentages of Black youth for things that white people do more often than they do (like drugs). It’s Asains having to have higher grades than everyone else to qualify for the same scholarships. It’s PoC making less money working the same jobs that white people work. It’s innocent Black children being murdered in cold blood in their own neighborhood by an adult, and getting blamed for it because we see all Black men and boys as devious and suspicious. It’s Black women being raped and being blamed for it because we see them as always being sexually available and not having the same humanity as white women. Racism teaches white people that PoC are inferior and expendable, and the way these views are so subtly ingrained into all parts of our culture makes us unaware that we think that way, makes it seem normal, allows white people the be happily in denial about it. Because white people think that racism only means hating someone for the color of their skin, so we can just say “well, I’ve met a Black/Asian/Latino/etc person and I liked them that means I’m not racist!” and blithely ignore the reality of what racism really means, and how we benefit from it. PoC being wary and resentful of white people is a very reasonable and logical way for them to feel when we have our boots on their necks every day, it is not the same type of thing as us hating them. It’s survival.
I hope this makes sense to you, let me know if you have any more questions. I know it’s a hard pill to swallow and it doesn’t feel good to think about, but keep in mind that we have the privilege of being able to not think about it; PoC don’t. They have to live with it every damn day, and the least we can do is try to educate ourselves so we can do the least amount of harm possible.
Made re-blogable upon request.
You want to know what we like most about this post? That it’s written by… well, let’s reblog their info:
Vivian De Milo: queer hard-femme-boi hot mess, descended from unicorns and jellyfish.
We also like the fact that they want to be refer to as “they” or “V”. We’re not so different, V and we. :)
Reading.
Seems so underrated these days.
But you know what’s more underrated than reading? Comprehension.
I mean, as black people in America, we want to talk intelligently with people who wants to understand, but they got this thing called “guilt”.
Now, we are not saying “YA GUILTY!” we’re trying to say “ease up. This is how we see it. There’s racism within the structure of the American system. You must understand this simple concept in order to really know what’s what.”
But, I think all white people hear “GUILTY, YA SALTINE CRACKER!” It’s simple… read… let it marinate, then respond. So simple at times. I read a lot of things, and respond to it in a calm matter. But so many people wanna skip things you mention and hear themselves talk.
We’re not saying it’s YOUR FAULT that the system got this way. We’re saying it’s YOUR FAULT for keeping the system this way. It’s like no matter how hard we try, you defend yourselves. So, after about 400+ times (years), we sorta give up… and now white people wanna pay attention?
I could say something like “I don’t think taxes on income is fair”. I wanna talk about subjects like that. What y’all wanna talk about? “Why can’t I call you nigga?” Seriously?
We bold the “we’re not saying…” part.
