No. I Will Not Be "Nice" About It.

Righteous indignation from a white person that feels offended because I've confronted them on their racist comments, behaviors or inappropriately ridiculous questions is something that I will never accept.  There is no excuse for an adult to be allowed to get away with that and there is no excuse for a child not to learn from it and choose to not do it again.  This is the 21st century and white people walking around as if they are the only people that exist in this world is beyond idiotic.

When I've said no (don't touch my hair) or look at them (A-D-U-L-T-S) like they have two heads when they ask some of the most amazingly asinine questions like "when I bathe does my brown skin tone lessen" or "Do Black people ever believe in working to get what they want in life," I can't take them seriously and I will ALWAYS assume that you want to be called out on it.  I. can. not. take them seriously because to be offensive (unintentional or not) and then have the nerve to expect for me to be gracious about being offended is an ill perceived entitlement that exists only in fairy tales.

I am not interested in making white people feel comfortable (in their ignorance).  I am not even the slightest bit interested in making Black people feel comfortable when it comes to discussing race/racism.  Comfort breeds complacency, complacency breeds apathy and apathy ends in death-- emotional, mental and physical death.

I would rather that white people acknowledge the fact that their white privilege affords them the damaging opportunity to walk around like dumb asses clueless about the world that they live in.  They get to pass it off as good intentioned inquisitiveness asking racist tinged questions of non-whites without people (in this white supremacist country) thinking less of them for it.  If you do it then own it and don't try to walk it back by saying that you didn't realize or you didn't know any better.  Real adults don't operate under that thought process.

Acknowledge the mistake and then take the initiative to educate yourself.  YouTube is full of videos with people that are willing to explain why what you said or did was wrong and inform you on certain cultural elements that you might be interested in all in the privacy of your own home.  We are in the 21st century, it's time out for the passive aggressive behaviors that expect the offended to care about your feelings when you offend.  The internet, books and engaging in the world around you is your friend in that cause.  I. AM. NOT.  Once you have helped yourself, only then can we have a conversation.

Non-white people in this society don't get to behave in this way and not have it be seen as a faulty/inferior/unrefined characteristic attributed to the entire race.  Black people that walk around uninformed about the world that they live in because they may lack access due to socioeconomic issues are seen as inferior by society.  But white people are excused as being unaware due to being sheltered and get a pass?  No.

If your parents did not do for you what they should have done in making you aware of the world that you live in then it becomes the responsibility of the adult person to enlighten themselves.  If you choose to stay only in your idealistic (read: white supremacist) bubble then do that but don't expect non-white people not to burst that bubble when you decide to step outside of it.

*Pic courtesy of Google

Another White Privileged Group Misappropriates Black American History

Unfortunately there are so many instances in today's society that really make me question the sanity and intellect of some people.  When they choose to hijack struggles that relate to horrible atrocities inflicted on human beings in order to buoy their supposed altruistic intentions it is deplorable.

The premise of what PETA is supposed to stand for is something that I don't have a problem with but it is what they do in order to represent their beliefs that is an issue.  PETA,  three marine-mammal experts, and two former orca trainers decided to sue Sea World on the behalf of five orca whales using the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.  Yes.  You read correctly.  PETA actually went into court with their attorney Jeffrey Kerr to defend the rights of whales using the 13th Amendment.

"Slavery is slavery, and it does not depend on the species of the slave any more than it depends on gender, race, or religion,"

Well I am sure that the Black Americans enslaved under the laws of this land for almost three centuries would appreciate that PETA and Mr. Kerr feel so entitled to equate their lives and suffering to be the same as that of orca whales.  I mean after all Black people were considered things and property.  So it is entirely the same.  Right?  The ethical PETA's insults toward a tragic part of Black American history don't end there.

Our understanding of animals grows every day. Animals are no longer regarded as "things" to dominate, but as breathing, feeling beings with families, dialects, intellect, and emotions. Just as we look back with shame at a time when we enslaved OTHER HUMANS and viewed some people as property less deserving of protection and consideration, we will look back on our treatment of these animals with shame. The 13^th Amendment exists to abolish slavery in all its forms—and this lawsuit is the next step. (bold and capitalization emphasis mine)

I know.  It makes you want to rinse your brain hoping that you didn't read that correctly.  But you did.  I told you that I question the sanity and intellect of people especially when they completely obliterate logic and reason.  In these two sentences they have reduced the pain, torture and struggle of Black people in America during slavery to little more than the necessary means to their selfish, entitled and inconsiderate end.  "No ethics towards people just animals" should be their new slogan.

Alas, there will be no national outrage against their debasement of our history.  And although the lawsuit has been dismissed it is another example of how white privilege continually provides an opportunity for PETA and other organizations like it to have cover when they misuse and misappropriate Black American history regardless of the pain and suffering that they might inflict.  I am sure that PETA didn't mean any intentional disrespect towards Black Americans because white people never do and white privilege's subterfuge allows for them to be ignorant and inconsiderate of our history.  A history that included the ethical mistreatment of human beings which of course is not PETA's concern.

I Don't Hate White People

White privilege is everywhere!

I  hate white privilege.

I hate white privilege that is wielded as a weapon in society to subjugate non-white people.   I absolutely despise the white privileged apathetic actions and behaviors towards racism.  The disdain that I have towards white privilege and it's assault on the lives of Black people is at times extremely close to the surface because in society at large there seems to be no conscious separation between white people and their privilege. 

Don't tell me racism doesn't exist and then proceed to have secret (nudge, nudge, wink wink) agreements to exclude non-white people from participating, living or working in areas that you consider to be yours. White Supremacy and its drainage leaves a sewage stink on everyone that chooses to engage in it and on those that are affected by it. 

White people that readily engage in white privilege become ignorant and insensitive automatically.  It is why they genuinely feel that they are entitled to feel only honor for their ancestors great "accomplishments."  Leave out the not so good way they garnered said accomplishments because that is not as important especially if it makes them look or feel bad.  "Those were different times" is a favorite response which basically means that they could care less what their privilege has done to inflict harm on others as long as they don't have to see it or address it.  It's all good.

I hate white privilege because white privilege expects me to readily and gladly show respect without question to people that did not consider me to be human being.  There is no explanation that would make me want to honor Thomas Jefferson or any of the various other slave owning "forefathers"?  Showing respect to white people that saw people like me as inferior, as chattel is definitely not on my bucket list. Jefferson's Declaration of Independence did not include me.  "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"  Yes.  Everyone that looked like him.

The Constitution?  The original mAmerican document didn't include people that looked like me either.

Originally, the Framers were very careful about avoiding the words "slave"and "slavery" in the text of the Constitution. Instead, they used phrases like"importation of Persons" at Article 1, Section9 for the slave trade, "other persons" at Article 1, Section 2, and "person held to serviceor labor" at Article 4, Section 2 for slaves.Not until the 13th Amendment was slaverymentioned specifically in the Constitution. There the term was used to ensure that there was to be no ambiguity as what exactly the words were eliminating.In the 14th Amendment, the euphemism "otherpersons" (and the three-fifths value given a slave) was eliminated.

My respect is reserved for the people that were responsible for the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments and for the people that were invaluable in the pursuit of Civil Rights legislation.

Real progress for all citizens of this country won't happen until white privilege is abolished.  We must always choose to speak out and fight against all actions that are meant to keep non-white people's voices and rights quelled.  If not we will deal with unjust and disrespectful behavior from people that would like nothing better than to see non-white people relegated to roles of servitude that don't allow us to have a voice in how America evolves.  White privilege should never be tolerated.


Racism thrives because white privilege lives.  They both need to die.



Photo Credit

The Genteel White Woman Lie and America is the MOST Racist Country in the World

A finger in the face should get you maced!

 

Threatened??? The white privileged face of America setting the standard for ignorance.

This picture has been circling the internet for almost a week now and I have resisted posting on it because I wasn't calm and there have been some really great posts referencing it and what it implies here, here and here.  My initial reaction to seeing this wasn't any different from any other time that I have seen disrespect, towards Black people, born from the ignorance of white privilege and racism.  I want this post to be plain and direct and to include enough honesty and truth to choke the white privilege out of every white person that subscribes to that mindset.

The Help: Jim Crow Rules Were Black Folks Blues

American Version: Birds on a Wire

Overseas Version: Still birds on a wire

Forgive the title of this post but if they can reduce our history during that time period to simply two words then surely my 7 won't be considered too dismissive, right?!  To all the white people involved in the making of this book and the movie: You all never seem to disappoint us poor and hapless black people with the level of your prolific ignorance in the constant telling of black people's stories in a completely unrealistic and insensitive manner.   But then, you wouldn't be you if you did, now would you? As evidenced by these covers American white people are just so deceitful considerate of black people's sensibility.


The shallow white lens strikes again and continues to plague the telling of black stories on film and in print by irresponsibly (as usual) lessening white people's negative impact on black lives in America.  White people continue to be cowards in acknowledging that truth with the respect that it deserves. White people want to preserve a redacted history in order to preserve a false sense of good will and superiority.  But they are not alone in this because black people don't want to acknowledge and accept the truth of our negative assault by them either.  Black people that allow this kind of garbage to be seen as harmless entertainment are motivated out of shame and a fear of truly accepting having been abused under that false good will and superiority.  Those black people believe that to do otherwise means that we believe that we were less than white people rather than the fact that we were treated inexcusably as less than by white people.

Too Many Blacks Fail To See The Big Picture

Photo Courtesy of Google

This post is inspired by a comment that was left on a previous post I did on white privilege.  

Anonymous wrote:

I understand not giving in to the white world, I truly do, but let us not ignore the complete and utter reality of black communities in America. After five years in Brooklyn, it is very disturbing watching the overwhelming majority of behavior by American blacks, and to ignore that behavior will not help anyone. What people, black and white, fail to acknowledge is that a large majority of blacks in America are simply sociopaths that act less than most animals act. Literally watching people walk their dogs, the dogs behave better than most. Islanders are COMPLETELY ashamed of American blacks, but nobody listens to them. Blacks from Africa driving cabs won't even consider picking up a black. There seems to be a certain age group of blacks in this country that should literally be thrown away, along with their parents, who are the immediate culprit. So keep on talking about white this and that, and watch your people slip further and further into the cracks. Or, start taking responsibility for your children and taking control of your lives. It starts with education. It ends with education. I'm not saying forget about what happened in your history, that is not excusable, but wallowing in pity won't change anything. 

My response:

Foolish Enemy who commented as anonymous. A person like you perpetuates the problem within a society that LOVES to continually endorse white privilege.

What people, black and white, fail to acknowledge is that a large majority of blacks in America are simply sociopaths that act less than most animals act.

Really? As opposed to the sociopathic white privilege individuals that would kill in order to preserve "rights" gained through murder, oppressive behaviors and laws!

Islanders are COMPLETELY ashamed of American blacks, but nobody listens to them.

That is a quite interesting concept considering the fact that black Islanders and black Africans should have gratitude for black American's fight to gain access to rights and privileges (you currently enjoy in the U.S.) that were denied to us (black Americans) for centuries by your beloved white privilege. Why exactly are you here in America with us lowly black Americans and not in your island homeland fighting for the same thing black Americans died for here?

So keep on talking about white this and that, and watch your people slip further and further into the cracks.

You make me laugh... loudly. I am going to give you a clue since you don't seem to understand the blatantly obvious! In this world that we currently live in, white privilege doesn't see a difference between black American, black Islander or black African. They only see BLAAAACK and that black that they see, they see as a negative!

So until people that think like you realize this fact we all will sink or swim together in the waters that were polluted by obviously self loathing insecure white privilege endorsing people like them and you!!!

We are basically FIVE centuries deep into an insidious propaganda campaign designed by the United States of America at it's inception, to devalue and destroy black people as a whole.  That insidious propaganda campaign has rooted into the fabric of too many minds in a way that has unfortunately caused even black people to see themselves through the white racist lens that perpetrated the devaluing of us in the first place.

There is intrinsically more damage done to black people when WE are not united and fail to realize the challenges, deception and destruction that we are all presented with when we don't readily acknowledge the fact that WE STILL HAVE NOT OVERCOME!

Black people should never tolerate white privilege!

1500's- (murdering and enslavement of black Africans by white Europeans)

Declaration of Independence 1776 (didn't include black people)

U.S. Constitution 1787 (included black people as property)

Emancipation Proclamation (September 22, 1862 and January 1, 1863) (freed black people from bondage on paper but wasn't federally enforced)

Thirteenth Amendment 1865, abolished and prohibited slavery

Civil Rights Act of 1866, extending the rights of emancipated slaves

Civil Rights Act of 1871, also known as the Ku Klux Klan Act (to combat them organizing to kill black people)

Civil Rights Act of 1875, prohibiting discrimination in "public accommodations"; found unconstitutional (1883)

Jim Crow Laws 1876-1965

Civil Rights Act of 1957, establishing the Civil Rights Commission to ensure black voting rights

Civil Rights Act of 1960, establishing federal inspection of local voter registration polls to ensure black voting rights

Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin by federal and state governments as well as some public places

Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act

Civil Rights Act of 1991, providing the right to trial by jury on discrimination claims and introducing the possibility of emotional distress damages, while limiting the amount that a jury could award

Five centuries later, I have the tolerance level of a people who have spent the last 500 years being treated and portrayed as inferior to those that share the skin tone of white European slave owners who enslaved black Africans.  

Black people have continually had to fight for everything that is our right as human beings and American citizens and those very rights we fought for are now enjoyed by many non-blacks.  Yet, in this screwed world sharing the skin tone of people who committed genocides on numerous countries around the world is far more prized than sharing the skin tone of those who fought to level the rights for all of us.

Non-white people should NEVER defend, excuse, perpetuate or succumb to white privilege.

The goal of slavery was to create a system that would continually feed the ideal that to be anything other than Anglo is meant to be shamed and destroyed.  The media(print and broadcast), texts, social history and policy have now taken the place of slavery in the mistreatment and enslavement of black people.  White privilege was spawned from the racism of white cowards that felt inferior without it, including America's forefathers.

Any non-white or white person that champions, defends or excuses a white person's ability to maintain a privilege in this world based on the color of their skin is a foolish enemy to us all.