It has been on my mind so heavy lately because I’ve been seeing so many situations related to this issue. So I have to say this…ATTENTION BLACK PEOPLE! YOU COULD BE CONSIDERED RACIST TOO! And a lot of your actions would actually support the idea that you are, believe it or not! I have to speak on this idea in general as well as how it relates to the use of the word “nigga” and even touch on the election.
Black people in general consistently do racist things and think it’s okay but then make a huge deal when racism comes from the other end. For example, let’s think about things that are commonly said by black people. Your racist comments can be as small as saying things like “That’s such a white girl thing” in reference to a girl falling in a horror movie to as big as blatantly calling white people “crackers” or “honkies” (which is not as common anymore but still has relevance). Using terms like “stupid; crazy; dirty; snobby/stuck-up; etc.” in reference to describing white people (which are all things that I’ve heard more than once by the way) is racist! If you seriously think about it, black people say negative things about other races all the time and don’t think twice about it. It’s still racism!
And it’s not just towards white people. Think about some of the stereotypes and associations that many black people have for other races. Not all Asians are Chinese; not all Hispanics are Mexican; not everyone from the Middle-East is Arab (which is pronounced “air-rub” not “ay-rabb”). And that’s just the beginning. I’ve heard even worse things than that in reference to other races. But those same people who say these things get so offended at the stereotypes of black people. Language is just the beginning though. There are even black people who treat other races (specifically white people) negatively different in public situations than they would another black person. But if a white person did that, what would you call them?
Also, I really want black people to stop playing the race card for every situation. Yes, racism does still exist and I certainly acknowledge and understand that. However, it is NOT the cause of every single problem that you’re having in society as a black person. For example, I’ve heard people say they didn’t get a particular job because of their race when in reality they just weren’t qualified. I’ve even seen people have a bad attitude with someone of another race for no reason at all and then, when the person returns the bad attitude, call that racism. It just really gets to me because I hate that so many black people have this “victim of society” mentality even when it’s not present or relevant.
I remember an argument I had with a girl years ago. She tried to explain to me that because of the history between blacks and whites, she should be allowed to treat white people badly. She mentioned slavery and the civil rights movement and she was so passionate about this anger she had towards whites. But I had to ask her what struggle she PERSONALLY went through as a black woman and…she didn’t have an answer! My mind was boggled by the idea that she honestly felt like she had the right to treat white people this way solely based on what happened to her ancestors years and years ago! I tried to explain to her that she was taking this inappropriate anger out on people who had no part in what happened to her ancestors. And I called it inappropriate because she was upset about something that didn’t even happen to her…or her parents…or even her grandparents! Come on now!
I don’t like to discuss politics because that is one of those touchy subjects (along with religion) that I try to avoid BUT I have to say that this election certainly brought a lot of racist attitudes to the surface. I can not tell you how many people I know who voted for Obama solely based on the fact that he’s considered African-American. Although there were so many reasons to either support or oppose Obama, I have spoken with several of his “supporters” who’ve boldly stated to me that his race was the ONLY cause of their vote choice. Some others didn’t directly say it but certainly suggested it by their lack of knowledge on politics and the facts of his campaign. And to make it worse, so many people were talking about how racist some Romney supporters were because of their comments on Obama, but then made equally offensive comments about Romney. No matter what your political views are, you have to understand that not everyone agrees with or sees things your way and it’s not always based on race. Some people legitimately felt like Romney was a good candidate for their own personal situations. But enough of that. Just wanted to touch on that and get it off my chest!
Lastly I’ll briefly address the infamous “N-word.” I’ve been asked on more than one occasion if I would be offended if a white person called me “nigga” in a non-demeaning sense and people are always shocked by my answer. I say “No. I would be shocked but definitely not offended.” When asked why I feel that way I explain to them that I use the term “nigga” when addressing certain people and I accept being called that as well so why shouldn’t they (whites) be allowed to say it to me? Many people respond by saying that if you’re not black, you shouldn’t be allowed to say it. My question is: Why? Responses like that make it sound like being called “nigga” is a privilege. And when I frame it that way, it gets people thinking! So my challenge to you is to simply think about it all. Think about what part, if any, that you play in the racism of today’s society. Are you part of the solution…or the problem? Honestly?
