I Don’t Wanna Talk About Racism, and Yet…

nukirk:

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>