Posts
Letters to Lisa Part 3
I see White People!
Dateline: everyday
Dear Lisa,
I’m still trying to get my brain around some parts of Taiwan culture. The only that I find most difficult and troubling is the notion that to be white is to be beautiful and the whiter the better.
Growing up, I was always …. different. I was often accused of wanting to be white. While I fully admit that when I was a kid there were times I often had much difficulty in expressing or identifying with my afro-centricity, BUT, I never wanted to be white. I knew that there was more the word had to offer than what I was getting in my neighborhood. I genuinely believed Jessie Jackson back in 1978 when he said, “you might have been born in the ghetto, but the ghetto wasn’t born in you.” I say all of that to give context to the rest of this letter. I’m different in America, but I am definitely Black. My whole experience in the world revolves around being Black, Male, and born at a time when segregation was still the law of the land in America.
Now you know me. I ain’t got no beef with white people. But I do like who I am. I know racism is still a critical issue in American, in spite of Barrack Obama being elected president. This is something Taiwan people really have a tough time understanding. They really America in it’s purest, most ideal, best.
Taiwan is a very, very small island. I once said that Chicago was close to my home. Maybe only an 8 hour drive. They were shocked that I considered that close. You drive 8 hours in Taiwan and you will either be in the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean, or you’ve drive around the whole island 1 and a third times!! Meaning, Taiwan is very homogeneous. They have different (races for lack of a better term). There are Taiwanese, Hakka, and Aboriginal, Taiwan’s Indians, people. But culturally, they are all very much the same. America, by contrast, is a mish-mash of people from everywhere, and while we are all American, we do have very different cultures based on race, geography, original country of origin. You get the idea.
But we’ve also worked pretty hard to rid America of the notion that one color of skin is superior than another. That is NOT the case in Taiwan. Whiter is better, period, end of discussion. AND White people (foreigners) definitely get preferential treatment. They know it and act accordingly. I know my Taiwan friends will cringe and strongly protest that I’ve said such a thing. But from my perspective and more importantly my experience in Taiwan, I say it IS a true statement, made without malice or discontent.
Now, having said that, does it mean, they don’t like me because I’m black, NO. Black people are seen largely through the view of stereotypes. We’re strong, good athletes, good singers and dancers. All qualities that Taiwanese people really like! And even some famous black actors and sings are seen as handsome or beautiful. But if given the choice to ‘look like’ me or a white person, they would choose the white person. There is a saying in Chinese, “one white can cure/cover three uglies.” I wonder were this thinking comes from? But, I do say have very dear and special friends in Taiwan. I have a good life because of them.
I have talked to Chinese people about white people in the context of beauty and the most beautiful women are white, blond hair and blue eyes. I have even seen this play out with Taiwan boys all mid 20’s. This white girl walked by and they all got giddy and excited!! My response was, “DUDE!! Cut it out! There was nothing special about that girl. In my home that girl was totally average. She looked ok, but nothing worth that response.” Columbia is a total college town. You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a cute white girl with blond hair. So I was totally under-whelmed. But you would have thought a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model just walked by. And just for the record, they say pretty much the same thing to me when I talk about the beauty of Chinese women.
The next mark of beauty is thin. But that’s a letter for another day.
In the meantime, I will continue to try and understand the beauty of white. Recently I heard a conversation between two women. I am NOT making this up! It went like this….
Woman Number 1: Hi, Nice to meet you.
Woman Number 2: Hi, Nice to meet you too.
Woman Number 1: You are so white.
Woman Number 2: Thank You!! (Big Smile)
Yeah, I’m NEVER gonna understand that. I am so tempted to say it when I see a friend. I wonder what she will say?
D
Showing posts with label Race issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Race issues. Show all posts
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
White People are at it Again. or America, the Ugly
Where is the World is D Today?
Trying not to HATE ALL White people. But they are making it really hard.
(If you are white and are easily offended by an angry Black man, stop reading now. Or if you want some insight as to why I'm angry, proceed knowing you've been warned.)
In my blog post America the Beautiful, I referred to the uncomfortable history The United States of America has with it's people of color, more specifically, Black People.
"White People are at it again", was in the message line I got from my son Tim a week ago. He wanted to tell me he had been attacked by two white men in a truck. He was on a bike. They called him several bad names, pursued him, and eventually ran him down! OK, white people give me a reason not to hate you?! This is my son in the year 2009. This is not turn of the century or the middle of the 20th Century, Civil Rights Movement America!...... not that it should make a difference.
I hate making generalization and typically do not. And if you know me at all, you KNOW this is NOT my usual language or behavior. But it is not ME you are messing with now. This is MY SON! I am angry on a level that you really can not understand. I've tried being calm about this, but where is the area for calm with something so senseless. There is no point that reasonable people of any race can conclude. The point is clear; We're white, there is a defenfeless Black man, let's hurt him.... just because we can.
I had a white friend ask me several years ago, "why are Black people angry all the time?" Because we have to put up with shit like this All the Damn Time!!! You try living your life trying to keep YOU happy. I don't think you will be happy until you TAKE everything.
Now, as I said in the beginning, I am trying hard NOT to hate all white people. I really am. I don't think it's a normal part of my mental and emotional make up. Feeling helpless in protecting my son drives me. Feeling annoyed that even in Taiwan, white people act superior. You're a foreigner too, and learn the language dammit! If you don't like to food or culture, go home! Stop complaining.
In the meantime, I will try to cool my jets. Remembering that I have some very dear friends in Shawn, Randy, David, Craig and the other Fantasy Football guys at DESE. There are others from Hickman High School and Columbia, MO... But the number of bad, goofy in the head, the south will rise again, Obama is a Socialist and not born in America, skin head and closet racist out there overwhelming out number the good honest respectful white folk.... It just gets really hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys. And when it involves my son, it is impossible.
To the good white folk, I know you're out there, I've met lots of you. Can you please tell your hateful white brethen to leave me and my family alone.
Trying not to HATE ALL White people. But they are making it really hard.
(If you are white and are easily offended by an angry Black man, stop reading now. Or if you want some insight as to why I'm angry, proceed knowing you've been warned.)
In my blog post America the Beautiful, I referred to the uncomfortable history The United States of America has with it's people of color, more specifically, Black People.
"White People are at it again", was in the message line I got from my son Tim a week ago. He wanted to tell me he had been attacked by two white men in a truck. He was on a bike. They called him several bad names, pursued him, and eventually ran him down! OK, white people give me a reason not to hate you?! This is my son in the year 2009. This is not turn of the century or the middle of the 20th Century, Civil Rights Movement America!...... not that it should make a difference.
I hate making generalization and typically do not. And if you know me at all, you KNOW this is NOT my usual language or behavior. But it is not ME you are messing with now. This is MY SON! I am angry on a level that you really can not understand. I've tried being calm about this, but where is the area for calm with something so senseless. There is no point that reasonable people of any race can conclude. The point is clear; We're white, there is a defenfeless Black man, let's hurt him.... just because we can.
I had a white friend ask me several years ago, "why are Black people angry all the time?" Because we have to put up with shit like this All the Damn Time!!! You try living your life trying to keep YOU happy. I don't think you will be happy until you TAKE everything.
Now, as I said in the beginning, I am trying hard NOT to hate all white people. I really am. I don't think it's a normal part of my mental and emotional make up. Feeling helpless in protecting my son drives me. Feeling annoyed that even in Taiwan, white people act superior. You're a foreigner too, and learn the language dammit! If you don't like to food or culture, go home! Stop complaining.
In the meantime, I will try to cool my jets. Remembering that I have some very dear friends in Shawn, Randy, David, Craig and the other Fantasy Football guys at DESE. There are others from Hickman High School and Columbia, MO... But the number of bad, goofy in the head, the south will rise again, Obama is a Socialist and not born in America, skin head and closet racist out there overwhelming out number the good honest respectful white folk.... It just gets really hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys. And when it involves my son, it is impossible.
To the good white folk, I know you're out there, I've met lots of you. Can you please tell your hateful white brethen to leave me and my family alone.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
America the Beautiful
Where in the World is D Today?
Thinking About the Good ‘Ol U.S.A.
A few days ago a colleague, Susan, asked me at lunch, “So Darryl, why did you decide to never return to the U.S.?”….. I just about choked on my noodles….. “Who told you that nonsense?!” “You did.” was her response. (insert noodle choking noise here.) I then tried as calmly as I possible could that she must have mistaken something I said previously. This led to her being very emphatic that I had indeed said it which led to a rant from her about how horrible America is for exporting jobs, the education system, blah, blah,. I was having a hard time listening, I was trying to dislodge 逐出the noodles from my esophagus 食管.
The history of America is not a simple one, especially when it comes to its People of Color, and specifically for me, a person of African descent. I’ve just used some very eloquent 雄辯, but it boils down to this for me. I’m Black. I always refer to myself as Black. I grew up when we said “Black is Beautiful.” Africa is a beautiful and wondrous 魔幻continent, but I have no deep connection to Africa, so to call myself African American just seems…. Out of place. My life, family, history, culture, and Identity are all uniquely and wonderfully wrapped in the United States of America. When I was in the U.S., I never assume, as many do, that foreigners want to become U.S. citizens. Many do, but just as many if not more are forever tied THEIR country as much as I am to mine.
Independence Day, The Fourth of July, is the greatest holiday to me. It’s not global. We don’t share it with anyone. It’s OURS! The Declaration of Independence is a simply beautiful peace of writing. If you haven’t read it, you must. In the meantime, I will sum it up for you; “Hey King George, BITE ME!” (That’s a paraphrase of course.) The men who wrote it and the Constitution were less than perfect men by all measures. But I will give them the benefit of the doubt in drafting documents based on the world as they knew it in 1776, knowing that others would come along after them.
In this ongoing series of firsts for me while living in Taiwan, this one strikes a special chord with me having volunteered for President Obama’s Presidential Campaign. What would the White men, some of who were slave owners, who drafted the Declaration of Independence, think of this day, this year?! Surely, they could not have imagined it in 1776.
I love Taiwan and its people. Some days I feel completely lost and some days I am completely comfortable. It’s only been 5 ½ months! I can possibly see me living here a long time, especially if I am lucky enough to find a mate. But, NEVER go back to the U.S. as Susan suggested. HAH! Preposterous! 荒謬!Give up my U.S. passport?! NOPE, Ain’t Gonna happen!!! (I got the noodles out by the way.)
*Please, Please, Please copy and paste this video link. I tried and tried to embed it and I couldn't get it to work.* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghz4_kikLkE
I ALWAYS get goose bumps and a little teary eyed when I hear Ray Charles sing America the Beautiful. I hope it touches you to and you get a sense of my homesickness on Saturday, the Fourth of July, Independence Day. Say it with me people, AWESOME!
Thinking About the Good ‘Ol U.S.A.
A few days ago a colleague, Susan, asked me at lunch, “So Darryl, why did you decide to never return to the U.S.?”….. I just about choked on my noodles….. “Who told you that nonsense?!” “You did.” was her response. (insert noodle choking noise here.) I then tried as calmly as I possible could that she must have mistaken something I said previously. This led to her being very emphatic that I had indeed said it which led to a rant from her about how horrible America is for exporting jobs, the education system, blah, blah,. I was having a hard time listening, I was trying to dislodge 逐出the noodles from my esophagus 食管.
The history of America is not a simple one, especially when it comes to its People of Color, and specifically for me, a person of African descent. I’ve just used some very eloquent 雄辯, but it boils down to this for me. I’m Black. I always refer to myself as Black. I grew up when we said “Black is Beautiful.” Africa is a beautiful and wondrous 魔幻continent, but I have no deep connection to Africa, so to call myself African American just seems…. Out of place. My life, family, history, culture, and Identity are all uniquely and wonderfully wrapped in the United States of America. When I was in the U.S., I never assume, as many do, that foreigners want to become U.S. citizens. Many do, but just as many if not more are forever tied THEIR country as much as I am to mine.
Independence Day, The Fourth of July, is the greatest holiday to me. It’s not global. We don’t share it with anyone. It’s OURS! The Declaration of Independence is a simply beautiful peace of writing. If you haven’t read it, you must. In the meantime, I will sum it up for you; “Hey King George, BITE ME!” (That’s a paraphrase of course.) The men who wrote it and the Constitution were less than perfect men by all measures. But I will give them the benefit of the doubt in drafting documents based on the world as they knew it in 1776, knowing that others would come along after them.
In this ongoing series of firsts for me while living in Taiwan, this one strikes a special chord with me having volunteered for President Obama’s Presidential Campaign. What would the White men, some of who were slave owners, who drafted the Declaration of Independence, think of this day, this year?! Surely, they could not have imagined it in 1776.
I love Taiwan and its people. Some days I feel completely lost and some days I am completely comfortable. It’s only been 5 ½ months! I can possibly see me living here a long time, especially if I am lucky enough to find a mate. But, NEVER go back to the U.S. as Susan suggested. HAH! Preposterous! 荒謬!Give up my U.S. passport?! NOPE, Ain’t Gonna happen!!! (I got the noodles out by the way.)
*Please, Please, Please copy and paste this video link. I tried and tried to embed it and I couldn't get it to work.* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghz4_kikLkE
I ALWAYS get goose bumps and a little teary eyed when I hear Ray Charles sing America the Beautiful. I hope it touches you to and you get a sense of my homesickness on Saturday, the Fourth of July, Independence Day. Say it with me people, AWESOME!
Monday, April 13, 2009
WTF!!!!!!
2009.04.13 14:30
Where in the World is D Today?
Shaking his head in utter Shock!
Have you ever had one of those moments when you see something that just makes you stop in your tracks in utter amazement. Sometimes your response is, "Whoah, that was cool." or "Hmmmm, that's odd. What's that doing here." This morning I was walking along, down a path I'd never been before on a trip to take a special picture for Greta, I saw this ...... this thing.... and was utterly shocked! I wasn't even a whole block from my apartment. I thought I knew my area well enough. I'm not sure what to say about the picture at the bottom of this post. What difference would any righteous indignation make? None really... But I will offer a few balanced words.
Anybody who says the Civil War wasn't about Slavery is writing a bit of revisionist history.
The United States of America with it's broad freedoms is the only place on where the losing side would still be allowed to fly its flag. That's good. (broad freedoms) And Bad. (flying the losing flag.)
That's really all I have to say specifically about this symbol. But I do have questions. There is a story to be told here; questions to be answered. First of all, how did it get HERE?! Is the owner an American citizen? Is it a Taiwanese person who just thought it was cool? Or Maybe a Taiwanese person who has some odd connection or attraction with this? I don't know and I don't want to know. Remember my post Knock, Knock?? Do I Really want to know. In my case ignorance is bliss. I'm ain't knocking on the devils door!I don't want nor do I need to know. Ignorance on their part is.... well.... well just tragic.
Peace
Where in the World is D Today?
Shaking his head in utter Shock!
Have you ever had one of those moments when you see something that just makes you stop in your tracks in utter amazement. Sometimes your response is, "Whoah, that was cool." or "Hmmmm, that's odd. What's that doing here." This morning I was walking along, down a path I'd never been before on a trip to take a special picture for Greta, I saw this ...... this thing.... and was utterly shocked! I wasn't even a whole block from my apartment. I thought I knew my area well enough. I'm not sure what to say about the picture at the bottom of this post. What difference would any righteous indignation make? None really... But I will offer a few balanced words.
Anybody who says the Civil War wasn't about Slavery is writing a bit of revisionist history.
The United States of America with it's broad freedoms is the only place on where the losing side would still be allowed to fly its flag. That's good. (broad freedoms) And Bad. (flying the losing flag.)
That's really all I have to say specifically about this symbol. But I do have questions. There is a story to be told here; questions to be answered. First of all, how did it get HERE?! Is the owner an American citizen? Is it a Taiwanese person who just thought it was cool? Or Maybe a Taiwanese person who has some odd connection or attraction with this? I don't know and I don't want to know. Remember my post Knock, Knock?? Do I Really want to know. In my case ignorance is bliss. I'm ain't knocking on the devils door!I don't want nor do I need to know. Ignorance on their part is.... well.... well just tragic.
Peace
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Forget the phrase "Ugly American"
2009.04.08 23:44PM
Where in the World is D Today?
Trying to find a way to say, "I am fed up with stupid, arrogant white people" and NOT sound like a Racist Wanker.
I am not going to attempt to try and preface what is about to follow with any type of semantic prophylactic to justify my statement about. It is what it is. (Sorry Greta, I know you hate that phrase.) I will make a quote from the movie The Barbershop though, "Is this the Barbah shop?! If we cain't talk straight in the Barbahshop, where can we say it?!" This is my Barbah shop! (If you're Taiwanese, ask me to explain it later. It will make more sense in person.)
There have been three places where I can answer the question, "How was your day?" with the following statement, "Mannnnn,(insert a heavy sigh) these people." Those three places are my house, the Barbershop and Church. What is in the sigh is experiential. You would have had to live through some of the indignities that comes with being Black in a world where white folk are running everything. That was my life growing up in the U.S.A. during the 60's, 70's, etc. I am just old enough to remember some pretty things in America. But having said that, I have a WONDERFUL life. This is not a rant on oppression from previous generations. No, this is a rant about moving to another country, Taiwan. I can not say enough how much I love Taiwan and it's people. I have made wonderful and what I am sure will be lifelong friendships.
What I'm talking about is living in Taiwan and still getting treated like I'm invisible and meaningless by white people. How Crazy is that?! (Actually, if you think it through to its logical conclusion, if there is a group of people who are convinced that they are superior in their home country, they are likely to think they are superior everywhere in the world.) It dawned on me last night as I walked down the street and tried to give a friendly smile, a gentle gesture to say, "Hello fellow traveler, I hope you're having a find day and that you are safe and well so far from home." and in return being completely ignored or dismissed is quite annoying. To have someone look right at you at completely ignore you or to make eye contact and then have them look away is an interesting social occurrence. I'm afraid I've seen that look before. This isn't something I've imagined. I've seen it my whole life at various points in one form or another. And I have to say, I really do not understand that mind set.
I also made the mistake early on in my experience here in assuming that if I saw a non-Taiwanese face, it was American. That's not true. Western looking do NOT = the U.S. So forget the phrase Ugly American. It's Ugly Westerner.
(Warning: Here comes the "making nice" part.) Having said all of that, have I had wonderful relationships with white people. Of course! And though it is cliched, My Best friends in the U.S. are white. (Boy! This is a really complicated blog entry. Bear with me, I'm almost done.) If you know anything about me and my life at all or if you've kept up or read now any of this blog, you know you could call me many things, but racist ain't one of them.
Remember I mentioned taking a walk last night, well as I walked I met for the FIRST TIME in my nine weeks here, White Westerners who initiated contact with me and were friendly and gracious. It was two young men that were Mormons, RLDS, (I'll explain that one later too.) So, I know there are some westerners here who are not snotty. Score 2 for the Latter Day Saints. Your stock just went up considerably with me!
So...... to close, if you're a westerner here in Taiwan and you happen to see a Black guy desperately trying to make a connection through facial expressions, give a brotha a head nod for pete's sake!
(I know all of that was a meandering ti raid, thanks for hanging in there with me while I got that bad ju ju out of my head. I promise to write something lighter next time.)
Peace!
Where in the World is D Today?
Trying to find a way to say, "I am fed up with stupid, arrogant white people" and NOT sound like a Racist Wanker.
I am not going to attempt to try and preface what is about to follow with any type of semantic prophylactic to justify my statement about. It is what it is. (Sorry Greta, I know you hate that phrase.) I will make a quote from the movie The Barbershop though, "Is this the Barbah shop?! If we cain't talk straight in the Barbahshop, where can we say it?!" This is my Barbah shop! (If you're Taiwanese, ask me to explain it later. It will make more sense in person.)
There have been three places where I can answer the question, "How was your day?" with the following statement, "Mannnnn,(insert a heavy sigh) these people." Those three places are my house, the Barbershop and Church. What is in the sigh is experiential. You would have had to live through some of the indignities that comes with being Black in a world where white folk are running everything. That was my life growing up in the U.S.A. during the 60's, 70's, etc. I am just old enough to remember some pretty things in America. But having said that, I have a WONDERFUL life. This is not a rant on oppression from previous generations. No, this is a rant about moving to another country, Taiwan. I can not say enough how much I love Taiwan and it's people. I have made wonderful and what I am sure will be lifelong friendships.
What I'm talking about is living in Taiwan and still getting treated like I'm invisible and meaningless by white people. How Crazy is that?! (Actually, if you think it through to its logical conclusion, if there is a group of people who are convinced that they are superior in their home country, they are likely to think they are superior everywhere in the world.) It dawned on me last night as I walked down the street and tried to give a friendly smile, a gentle gesture to say, "Hello fellow traveler, I hope you're having a find day and that you are safe and well so far from home." and in return being completely ignored or dismissed is quite annoying. To have someone look right at you at completely ignore you or to make eye contact and then have them look away is an interesting social occurrence. I'm afraid I've seen that look before. This isn't something I've imagined. I've seen it my whole life at various points in one form or another. And I have to say, I really do not understand that mind set.
I also made the mistake early on in my experience here in assuming that if I saw a non-Taiwanese face, it was American. That's not true. Western looking do NOT = the U.S. So forget the phrase Ugly American. It's Ugly Westerner.
(Warning: Here comes the "making nice" part.) Having said all of that, have I had wonderful relationships with white people. Of course! And though it is cliched, My Best friends in the U.S. are white. (Boy! This is a really complicated blog entry. Bear with me, I'm almost done.) If you know anything about me and my life at all or if you've kept up or read now any of this blog, you know you could call me many things, but racist ain't one of them.
Remember I mentioned taking a walk last night, well as I walked I met for the FIRST TIME in my nine weeks here, White Westerners who initiated contact with me and were friendly and gracious. It was two young men that were Mormons, RLDS, (I'll explain that one later too.) So, I know there are some westerners here who are not snotty. Score 2 for the Latter Day Saints. Your stock just went up considerably with me!
So...... to close, if you're a westerner here in Taiwan and you happen to see a Black guy desperately trying to make a connection through facial expressions, give a brotha a head nod for pete's sake!
(I know all of that was a meandering ti raid, thanks for hanging in there with me while I got that bad ju ju out of my head. I promise to write something lighter next time.)
Peace!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Don't call me Niggah!
Where is the World is D?
Shaking his fist at rap music and soft brained kids!
This has been a very productive week for me in my modeling gig. I have worked 2 three hour sessions everyday with week. It equals about the same amount as substitute teaching, with far few hassles.
In every class there is music playing. It's all over the road. Most of it is mellowish instrumental trippy music, artistic white noise. But in one class it's usually far out trippy heavy metalish. But today in this class, the teacher shifted to 90's hip/hop slash "gangsta rap" music. I really loved the beats in every song, but every other word was niggah this and niggah that.
I don't listen to that style of music. I even forbade the Sean and Tim to listen to it as they were growing up. It's stupid, demeaning and unnecessarily violent. BUT, models are best seen and not heard. So for the last hour of this class in was pummeled with this. All the students were shocked when the teacher put it on. Not at the content mind you, but at how old it was. "Dang I have heard this since 9th grade! This is old school." I thought, "The Sugarhill Gang and The Isley Brothers are old school youngster. These guy are punks that can't make a rhyme without a curse word." But I digress......
So as this young man, A very nice and affable kid by the way, is singing along, I cringed inside my head every time niggah was in the lyrics. But here's what I wanted to say....
"Hey kid, do you have any flippin idea how insulted I am personally that you would use such a word so cavalierly in my presence. And NO there is NOT a difference between Nigger and Niggah! Both words are demeaning and stupid and people who can't see that are even stupider. You can't rationalize that word on any level. No it's not empowering to take control of it as to say it's like calling me "Brotha". It's was a slave word 300 years ago and it's one today!"
Then I would say, "Give me an example of ANY Black man of stature that has gotten there using that word." (Any Black man of stature that didn't sell drugs, pimp, or rob someone first." I personally can't think of any, and I'm a reasonably smart guy.
Dr. King, Ralph Abernathy, Malcolm, W.E.B DuBois, Jesse Jackson (before he got silly), Thurgood Marshall, Barack Obama, Fredrick Douglass, Colin Powell, Langston Hughes, Andrew Young. These are just the ones I rattle off the top of my head at 1 AM. The list goes on and on.
I want to be in this class of Smart, Brilliant, Educated, Urbane, and Successful gentleman. So don't can me niggah. As a matter of fact, don't even use it around me. Ever. Especially if you're Black. You should know better. Now check out this video!
Shaking his fist at rap music and soft brained kids!
This has been a very productive week for me in my modeling gig. I have worked 2 three hour sessions everyday with week. It equals about the same amount as substitute teaching, with far few hassles.
In every class there is music playing. It's all over the road. Most of it is mellowish instrumental trippy music, artistic white noise. But in one class it's usually far out trippy heavy metalish. But today in this class, the teacher shifted to 90's hip/hop slash "gangsta rap" music. I really loved the beats in every song, but every other word was niggah this and niggah that.
I don't listen to that style of music. I even forbade the Sean and Tim to listen to it as they were growing up. It's stupid, demeaning and unnecessarily violent. BUT, models are best seen and not heard. So for the last hour of this class in was pummeled with this. All the students were shocked when the teacher put it on. Not at the content mind you, but at how old it was. "Dang I have heard this since 9th grade! This is old school." I thought, "The Sugarhill Gang and The Isley Brothers are old school youngster. These guy are punks that can't make a rhyme without a curse word." But I digress......
So as this young man, A very nice and affable kid by the way, is singing along, I cringed inside my head every time niggah was in the lyrics. But here's what I wanted to say....
"Hey kid, do you have any flippin idea how insulted I am personally that you would use such a word so cavalierly in my presence. And NO there is NOT a difference between Nigger and Niggah! Both words are demeaning and stupid and people who can't see that are even stupider. You can't rationalize that word on any level. No it's not empowering to take control of it as to say it's like calling me "Brotha". It's was a slave word 300 years ago and it's one today!"
Then I would say, "Give me an example of ANY Black man of stature that has gotten there using that word." (Any Black man of stature that didn't sell drugs, pimp, or rob someone first." I personally can't think of any, and I'm a reasonably smart guy.
Dr. King, Ralph Abernathy, Malcolm, W.E.B DuBois, Jesse Jackson (before he got silly), Thurgood Marshall, Barack Obama, Fredrick Douglass, Colin Powell, Langston Hughes, Andrew Young. These are just the ones I rattle off the top of my head at 1 AM. The list goes on and on.
I want to be in this class of Smart, Brilliant, Educated, Urbane, and Successful gentleman. So don't can me niggah. As a matter of fact, don't even use it around me. Ever. Especially if you're Black. You should know better. Now check out this video!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)