"The point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn't. But she is a typical white person who, uh, if she sees somebody on the street that she doesn't know, there's a reaction that's been bred into our experiences that don't go away and that sometimes come out in the wrong way and that's just the nature of race in our society. We have to break through it."Now, first of all, clearly if this had come out of anyone but Obama's mouth, about anyone other than a white person, this would've been labelled as racist.
After all, the textbook definition of racism is stereotyping a group of people based on the color of their skin, is it not?
But, take a minute and re-read his statement. Look at what he's saying about 'typical' white people.
He's saying that white people are naturally racist. It's bred into us by our experiences. When we see black people on the street, we're afraid of them and we are 'naturally' distrustful of them. Why? Because we're white and, because we're white, we're also racist.
Well, it sure is a good thing that all of us 'typical' white folks can all 'break through it' by, apparently, overcoming our inherent racist tendencies and voting for Obama. Gee golly am I'm glad he's here to help me become a better, less inherently racist person.
8 comments:
White people are not naturally racist.But white people are the ethnic group whose culture and influence dominate american society as a whole.This "White power" or influence is in everything and influences all americans way of thinking and ideals.
There is a huge cataloged history of instituitional racism and discrimination documented that illustrates the power and influence that white people have. And still has to this day.
I'm african american and I still deal with what I call "white ignorance" on a daily basis. I believe that white people these days are not truly racist. Unlike older members of my family I never had to sit in the backs of buses or got denied the right to vote. But there is alot of white ignorance concerning my people and our culture. Stereotyping someone isn't racist but it is a form of close minded ignorance.
My people have dealt with over 300 years of unjust and violent acts of racism inflicted upon us as a race and a culture in this country. So by all means I feel our generaliations(stereotypes) concerning white people are based on actual facts backed up by documented history. Yet many young white americans during the past 10 years are quick to cry reverse racism when faced with basic discrimination. My people still deal basic forms of discrimination on a day to day basis not only from white people but other ethnic groups as well. Unlike my people white people are discriminated against for the things they do against other cultures more so than the color of they're skin.
White people back then grew up in a enviroment where it was a standard and lawful practice to use racists acts. White people now do not condone the actions of their predecessors. But being that they are the ethnic group in power and with the the most influence they have not done much to mend the wounds of racism that they have inflicted to begin with.
Should white america feel guilty for their past sins againt fellow man? Its not about feeling guilty its about facing and accepting while fixing the sins of the past. The "typical white folks" in question these days gets antsy,defensive,offended,and self concious whenever issues of race gets brought up. Because it saddens me to say is that america's forefathers and previous generations haven't fully owned up to how the enslavement and treatment of my people has affected us even to this day. And the future generations of white america has yet to fully come to task in rectifying past sins.
Don't get me wrong things are much better.But not as good as it could be. One solution to is to fully implement " black history" as a whole into american history. There are more things that my people have done for this country other than the Civil Rights movement. "Typical white folks" do not know these things. Our positives in our contributions to this country have overshadowed our negatives. But many americans do not know this. They just see us how the media and a few bad apples portray us to be.
Many african americans are more tolerant of white people than white people are of us. Even though history has shown that we should be the ones to be afraid to walk in white neighborhoods at night or during the day for that matter.
Granted racism is racism no matter who does it. Its wrong period.But even the wrong thing can be made justifiable. White america's fore fathers fired the first shot. My people still has yet to recover. Black people can be just as racist as white people but never in our history have we ever inflicted racist actions against white people that white people has inflicted upon us as a whole. Black people don't discrminate white people on the color of they're skin. Its discrmination built on past offenses done against us.
All I'm saying is before you decide to mock or take a jab at someones opinions take the time to see where they are coming from. I'm sure Obama's grandma wasn't truly a racist because she had a hand in raising him. Racism isn't just stereotyping someone its discrminiating against someone based on th color of their skin,culture or ethnic group. Everyone these day has predjudices against something or someone. When those predjudices entail you to subjugate or harms others is when it becaomes true discrimination and racism.
Until the "typical white folks" can amend their inherent predjudices against others then they can take pot shots at others for their predjudices aganst them.
QFT
Mack
Thanks for the insightful comments, Mack.
I will offer this, though, as a counterpoint: You make several references to the institutional racism that blacks have dealt with for over 300 years which, if I'm not mistaken, seems to link your injustices back to the days of slavery.
Your 'black history' class curiculum should also include the fact that it was a black man, Anthony Johnson, who owned the first slave in the United States and free blacks (and Native Americans) were among the slave owners in the South right up until the Civil War.
It was African tribes (ie: not Europeans) that captured their enemies and sold them into slavery long before white people from Europe ever arrived, and they're the ones who are still doing so today.
And though it may surprise you (based on your comments, at least), not all white people held slaves. Some were adamantly against it long before the Abolitionist movement began, and there were several hundred thousand 'typical white people' who bled and died to end it.
But, overall, the point is that today, in America, there is nothing standing between you (or 'your people') and who you want to be but you. There's nothing holding you back. There's nothing holding you down.
Barack Obama himself is evidence of that.
And, since I'm quoting him everywhere else today, let me quote a little Rocky Balboa for you here, too:
"The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you're hit. It's about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done ... You gotta be willing to take the hits, and not go pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that!"
I am familiar with Anthony Johnson but his slaves were more indentured servants. They were not treated like cattle nor were they murdered like wild animals and used for breeding stock.
Yes african tribes did "sale"(trade)rival tribe captives. As did all ancient tribal a non tribal civilizations have done in the past. But most of the europeans(dutch) gained their slaves through conquest of parts of Africa.They had the guns in most cases they took what they wanted.The ones they couldn't take by force they bartered for from other rival tribes.
I didn't say all white people owned slaves. But the fact is slavery was huge during the south and played key part in making America a world power over time. The money built on the backs of slaves was huge for America.
And yes they're were a few whites who played a part as abolitionist. But they were only a few out of 100 of thousands.Freeing slaves is one thing but when it cames to giving slaves the same rights and priviledges they had took at least another 100 yrs to happen.It took another 100 yrs of lynching and discrminatory laws and racist practices that we had to endure.Being freed from slavery is one thing battling over a hundred yrs of oppression is another.
"The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you're hit. It's about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done ... You gotta be willing to take the hits, and not go pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that!"
Nice quote. The fact is my people has done more than enough where we as american citizens shouldn't of had to struggle or suffer in which we had to. white america made its choice back then. The sad thing is future generations will have to "reap" what their fore fathers have "sowned"
I agree nothing stands between us like it has in the past.My people have showned in the last 2 decades that we are the only ones holding ourselves back. But in the past and even today we take two step forward only to get triped up. Whether it be the the assasination of pas black leaders, proliferation of drugs in black neighborhoods which was instituted by the CIA or police brutality and racial profiling. Every time we step beyond "our designated station" we get reminded of who's in power.
My people no longer has excuses but neither does yours. No matter how you excuse the sins of the past what was done was done.Now where do we go from here?
Just out of curiosity, Mack, can I ask how old you are?
Sure,You and I were born in the same year.I'm 31 yrs old.
Have you, personally, experienced any sort of 'institutionalized' racism where the government, or representatives of it, denied you the same thing it offered someone else based simply on the color of your skin?
I ask because (and it may be a by-product of where I'm from) I don't see that happening.
And, in thinking about your 'dealing with sins of the past' comment, I'd like to ask this: Are you responsible for the things your father may've done? Are your children responsible for the things you've done? Or, are you accountable for your own actions?
(And, what does God say about it?)
Because if I'm not responsible for the things that you and I aren't responsible for the things our fathers did (and I don't think we are), and our kids aren't responsible for the things we do (and I don't think they are), then it's hard to argue that either of us have any claim to things done -- either good or bad -- by anyone else, now or in the past.
We're responsible for ourselves, and for the choices we make.
"Have you, personally, experienced any sort of 'institutionalized' racism where the government, or representatives of it, denied you the same thing it offered someone else based simply on the color of your skin?"
Personally no,older members of my family has.I have dealt with being denied service in a resturant.Not getting treated the same as my white class mates in predominantly white schools. And numerous occasions of discrimination.My generation is probably the last to ever experience a semblance of "true racism".Considering that institutionalized racism died after the Civil Rights movement. But even then that never stopped...
*The CIA from allowing drugs into this country to quell the rise of the Black Panther movement in black neighborhoods.
*Police harassment,brutality and racial profiling.
*Getting denied loans for housing in better neighborhoods.
*Being treated differently while whites got preferential treatment.
*False imprisonment
*Getting denied jobs in which we are qualified for.
Just because the government doesn't institutionalize racism does not mean that institutionalized racism no longer exists.It just has to come from an institution.Whether it be school,business,workplace,or public service.
"I ask because (and it may be a by-product of where I'm from) I don't see that happening."
Probably so.But then again you are white and even if it did it probably wouldn't have concerned you enough for you to care. I know that seems harsh but thats the reality. Most non blacks feel that my people whine too much or cry"racism" when things don't go our way.But thats not the case. We know BS when we see it and blind bigotry when it is directed at us.
As much as we would like to just let things slide.We can't because our mistreatment is a part of made us the way we are today. We have forgiven America but we will never forget.African Americans are its on unique people.We really cannot trace what part or tribe of africa our forefathers came from. We don't have our on langauge,religion, and a true country of origin. All we know is that we are of African decent.Everything else including our names is truly american or european in origin.
"And, in thinking about your 'dealing with sins of the past' comment, I'd like to ask this: Are you responsible for the things your father may've done? Are your children responsible for the things you've done? Or, are you accountable for your own actions?"
For his actions alone?No. But the repercussions of his actions will reflect on his family. My dad's side of the family last name has a bad rep in parts of Louisiana from things that has transpired over 60 yrs ago.
Rivalry's,War's,and even family feuds have begun because of the actions of one or many individuals.The children of Bin laden may have had nothing to do with their dads decision to incite terroists attacks on America.With that being said they will not set foot in this country under that name because of the repercussions of their fathers actions.
Because of the history of slavery and oppression of my people by white people my people are wary to trust and put up with ignorant actions by white people. We didn't start this "race" thing.Dr King tried to end it and got murdered because of it.A man of peace and non violence,murdered.Because those in power felt he was a threat to the status quo at the time.
This happens and white amrica wants us to let the race issue become a non issue? I don't think so.
If you wish to break the chain of violence or unrest something has to give.My people have done our part.Yours have only done enough to allow us to live well.But that was only to overt any bloodshed. Racist actions of the past can only be amended through education,mutual respect, and true equality.As in treat others how you want to be treated.
"And, what does God say about it?)"
You just have to reference the Ten Commandments.Every one of them were broken by white america's forefathers concerning my people.
Based on that alone does this question really need to be answered?
"You reap what you sow"
Unlike the french slave owners of the caribbean(spelling?) islands at least american slave owners didn't get their heads,as well as their wives and children cut off during slave revolts.At least the future generations of white americans has been given the oppurtunity to amend the harm that they're forefathers have caused.
"Because if I'm not responsible for the things that you and I aren't responsible for the things our fathers did (and I don't think we are), and our kids aren't responsible for the things we do (and I don't think they are), then it's hard to argue that either of us have any claim to things done -- either good or bad -- by anyone else, now or in the past."
This is a "typical white folk" response to the issue of race in general.And its the typical "american" response when we as a country try to sweep our dirt under the rug instead of disposing of it.
If your kids are racist then it goes back to you the parent.I'm not responsible for gang violence,drugs,and crime in my neighborhood yet people see that because I share the same skin color
with what they fear.They fear or become wary of my character.I have been the "token black" guy around many people I associate with. So when I do something bad or unacceptable it doesn't just reflect peoples opinion of me but of my people in general. The same can be said about racism and white people. So how do you fix this? Well you set a good example by accepting responsibilty.
Your a man of God as am I. He sent Jesus to us to set an example on how we should live.He took responsibility for our sins by dying on the cross. Even though he didn't have to.
Its very easy to argue unless of course you just don't care to accept responsibility to make thing right.
"We're responsible for ourselves, and for the choices we make."
And we are responsible for the actions that come from those choices.
The rock may have caused the water to ripple in the lake. But I'm responsible to have caused the water to ripple because I chose to throw the rock in the lake.
What we do and say to each other affects not only you,the other person, but everyone associated with you or that person.
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