First, answer these questions:
- What has been difficult for you about being black?
- What has been good for you about being black?
- How have you been hurt by your fellow blacks?
*sorry other races, but I have no questions for you at this time.
Now that I have your attention, there’s one final question:
How many of us tackled racism, in person or on our social networks, immediately following the re-election of President Obama? *slowly raises hand.
If you raised your hand (hopefully, you didn’t physically raise your hand) then we are one in the same. When acts of racism occur, I feel a need to attack it head on. I use my social networks as platforms to discuss issues of racism here in SC and afar. And I don’t mind calling out racist white people for being so “ignorant”, “stupid”, “small-minded”, “conservative”, “hateful”, and “downright evil”.
But today, I had an epiphany. Here we are, teaming up like the real-life Justice League, to combat racism and to speak on the injustices and ignorance of those that have stated, “I want to leave the country”, “the porch monkey is in office again”, “the nigger wins again”, etc. But a few weeks from now, when the dust settles and we have taken off our Justice League capes and badges, we will be at each others’ throats once again – creating divisions between our own race.
- Light skin vs. Dark skinned.
- Poor vs. Rich
- Relaxed hair vs. Natural hair
- Ghetto vs. Bourgeoisie “Bougie” (for some)
- Gay vs. Straight
- Educated vs. “Edumacated”
- Predominantly White Institutions (PWI) vs. Historically Black Colleges and University’s (HBCU’s)
If you are of another race, let me be clear – all Blacks are not like this nor does this make up most of what our race has to offer. As mentioned earlier, this is an epiphany. Thus, it is not something that I encounter or witness on a daily basis. This blog is not about demeaning my race, it is about addressing some issues that take place in our communities. I’m sure you have problems and divisions within your race as well. Reality television highlights us all, you know.
Let’s carry on, shall we…
This idea of internalized oppression results in us turning against our own people. And not just our colleagues and friends, we turn against ourselves and our families. I won’t go as far as others and say that this is a result of the oppression of the larger society. But I do believe it is an issue that only we can fix.
How often does a black man beat his boys and criticize them harshly because he wants them to “man up” and not be “faggots” or a “sissies”?
At what age do black females give perms to their daughters or seek men of other races because her daughter “must have that good hair”?
When is the last time a Teacher stood up for a black student that was called “white” or a “nerd” by his black peers because he enunciated his words and was the first to complete his assignments?
Last Sunday when the preacher spoke about how much the black church condemns and hates homosexuality, did you notice the usher, choir director, and some members of the congregation cringe in their seats or step outside for some “fresh air”?
Is your female friend still “pretty for a dark skinned girl”?
There are limitations placed on the black culture and the source of these limitations could be the results of our history, black churches, schools, and parents.
We grow up mistrusting our way of thinking because of what what we see and where we’re from. We narrow down our culture and fit it into this tiny black box that’s incapable of expanding. We attack the white man for attacking our black brothers and sisters, but as soon as the white man’s gone, we become the oppressor.
If there is a time to wake up, then it may as well be now. When President Obama was elected, did you not feel something in your spirit telling you that this was the beginning of something magnificent (assuming you are a supporter of his)? And I’m not suggesting this feeling came from having an African American President again (albeit, it is a great feeling). For me, this feeling came from realizing that society is shifting. “Forward” is no longer a motto – it has become a movement. America is finally getting it…and getting it right. The coalition and the diversity of Pres. Obama supporters proves this. Latinos, blacks, whites, gays, straights, etc. came TOGETHER to re-elect this man. This is how the diversity of blacks must come together to fix our own issues at hand. Don’t allow being black to leave you in the dark.
If you haven’t noticed by now, a few of you are still keeping our most intelligent blacks behind. You still tease them and call them “weird” or “nerdy” for stepping outside of the tiny black box that you’ve placed them in. But that child or that student will one day realize he or she is being oppressed and on that day, a magnificent leader will emerge.
You are still winning because you keep gays and lesbians in the black community closeted. They are afraid that coming out will mean the end of life, the end of family, and the end of friends for them. They pretend to be happy and content, but we all know that contentment lies in the truths we speak – even if it’s to ourselves.
You are still winning because that very dark skinned girl does not realize how beautiful she is. She looks at light skinned people and at times, wishes she could be just as light.
But you ARE NOT winning by much because we are well aware of your plans to keep us back. And you will not win forever.
Now, I challenge all of you, to put on your Justice League capes and badges and KEEP THEM ON! If we can attack whites, we can attack blacks. Call out the injustices in our own race.
“An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – you know who said that, I’m sure.
The Daily Packet 