CNN's Black in America Series
-
Artist:
Though I know some of you do not want to alienate me (I was told this. Come on people. It's my life. It cracks me up someone would vocalize it but I appreciate you saying it to me in writing!) because I tend to be very vocal on issues that are close to my heart, I still come to share my appreciation of you and to also open a door of communication for our differences.
Race issues are hard to discuss. I have been told that I am flat out crazy to blog on issues that some people would not like to discuss. I do not mind sharing if we can be civil with one another.
It baffled me when activist Damali Ayo made the statement that she would not discuss race issues anymore unless asked. But the more I thought about it, I understood her plight. I may get burnt out discussing these issues, and I will probably die trying to teach racial tolerace. However, my path in life is different than Damali's so I will never try to compare the two of us although we have very similar experiences growing up in America.
Damali Ayo - http://www.damaliayo.com/pages/bio.ht
If you are curious as to how some people experience race in America, please try to see the series on tonight which is called, Black in America on CNN.
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/black.in.america/
If you miss it, I hope that it will be re-aired (probably) and some clips availble on youtube.
Hopefully other minorities will have documentaries on how they deal with living in America featured on CNN. I would love to know the Asian, Hispanic, Carribean (there is a difference with that and black America. I hope this is addressed), etc. experience in America.
I've always held my head in pride despite how some people want to beat me down.
Despite how others feel about my existence on this earth, I think of James Brown's song, "I'm Black and I'm Proud."
James Brown - Say It Loud, I'm Black & I'm Proud
This song was written during the height of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.
If you did not know what happened during that time, let's talk for I have plenty of resources, blogs and information to share.
Information on James Brown from PBS.org
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/brown_j.html
Locating MOG account...
Comments (16)
Its a hell of a powder keg you're flickin' your bic at. Most won't approach this, or touch it with a ten foot pole. I ??know?? racism is alive and prospering in America. I see it all around me. Each segment of the population, every race, every demographic, has it's share of bigots & assholes. No one race has a monopoly on that.
I laugh every time I hear of some politician or celebrity say we have to have a dialog about race in America. From Anita Hill to OJ Simpson, from Jay-Z to Michael Richards, someone is outraged, someone is offended, and someone declares we have to have a dialog about race. Which usually entails someone telling European Americans how they should talk, think, and act.
Our current Presidential Election is a good illustration of the massive doublr standard in our country. Had John McCain, (or any conservative) had made any kind of comments that included the phrase "typical black folks" he'd be vilified & crucified in the press.
There are millions and millions who would never vote for Sen Obama simply because he's black. That's racism, pure & simple. But there are as many millions who will vote for him for no other reason than that he's black. None dare call it racism. But I will.
I believe the GOV should remove every reference to a person's race on every gov't form in existance. I believe they should not have whole gov't beauracracies(?) dedicated to race issues. Institutionalized racism died a slow death in this country, you'll never wipe out people's thoughts and the gov't shouldn't be in the business of tryin'.
When James Brown wrote that song he was actually being squeezed by two different sections of the black community. On the one hand, militant groups were down on the GFOS because he had visited Vietnam..The liberal black community (including civil rights folks) were coming down on the GFOS because he suported Nixon..checking out the CNN story now, thanks SLife.
I posted on that JB period back here..
This isn't worthy of a post, it's worthy of a book - maybe even a library. I say this as someone who has shared a life with a black woman for 27 years. DM is right that nothing is as clear-cut as it seems. In fact, anything I say in less than 100,000 words would be an oversimplification. There are a handful of people in both our families who have shamed us. There are many more people in our families who have been a lot cooler and smarter than any pundits or commentators on race would have us believe. Strangers have, occasionally, said unbelievably idiotic things. Far more often, they treat us the way anyone would expect to be treated. (From time to time, though, she will be not-so-discreetly followed by a store clerk anticipating a shoplifting incident.) We have two children, neither of whom has been subjected to any ill treatment on the basis of their race.
The one thing I find puzzling about DM's comment, though, is the idea that white people would vote for Obama because he is black. I know people who plan to vote for Obama and people who plan to vote for McCain, and no Obama partisan I know has even implied that the reason they're voting for him is his skin color. It reminds me of something that happened to me when Sharon and I were engaged. A new manager was hired at my workplace, and he made a point of taking each one of us out for drinks to "get to know us." When he asked about my life outside the office, I mentioned the engagement. He asked my betrothed's last name - which was clearly Latino. When he asked further, I told him that she was half-Cuban and half-black. He gave me this smirk and said, "Well, points for you...." That's the only time in my adult existence that I ever felt, even momentarily, like choking the life out of someone. I was marrying this woman because she was the smartest, kindest, funniest woman I'd ever met (and smokin' hot in the bargain) - not to burnish my liberal credentials. I am certain that any man would feel as I did.
Likewise, there may be a handful of people who vote for Obama on the basis of race - though I have a feeling McCain is more likely to profit on that basis. But I firmly believe that the vast majority of people who vote, whoever they vote for, will do it because they think that man will be the better President. I wouldn't presumptively cheapen anybody's vote by speculating that there's any other motive.
While we're on the subject, I also don't quite get the double standard idea. Not when Obama was, rightly, scolded for that "guns and religion" broad-brushing. And not when Willie Horton has been used a political pawn within our memory. I give McCain a lot of credit for not stooping to racial code phrases. Then again, I'm not sure they're so effective anymore.
DeadManDeadMan - Life in america is complex as a minority. It is not an easy road when you are a minority. Glad to know you know racism does exist but unfortuntely some want to turn a blind eye and say it does not. Those are cowards in my eyes and I tend to lead a road like this on my own. But, usually I am told when you are about something life is lonely. So, I have accepted this challenge.
I refuse to be silenced on this point of discussing racism and if I have the nerve for saying racism exists so be it. I rather fight and continue to share social injustices than to sit behind some computer screen bickering, being anonymous and complaining and not being a part of the resolution.
Don't we all want to be a part of the change? I hope so for I appreciate you sharing your frustrations and observations too.
Color, hair, education, gender, classism and every other -ism will always be a factor in life. So if we want to eliminate race on an application then eliminate all these other boxes. I am not to sure if our world will ever get to this point.
God made us all different for a reason. God wanted to show the beauty of our differences because if we were all the same I honestly believe we would be a boring world. Man is the one who has created the problems so don't put the blame on God for the horrors our world has seen such as terrorism and the earth's destruction from global warming.
Life tends to be more exiciting with all the chaos but I wish with the chaos that we can call be civil with one another. I don't know, do you think so? I pray on it.
And about Obama and McCain. Obama is MIXED - White American (mama) and Black African (papa). So I guess it is apparent that he is quickly being labeled as BLACK. Why cannot he be seen as white through the eyes of those who may be white? Hmm..does that one drop of black blood make him black? Just wondering.
You may want to read the Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson to understand this invisible life of having to choose to be black or white when you are mixed. Read Nella Larsen's Passing while you are at it too. If my grandfather were alive he would give you a perfect story but more complex than anyone could understand having British, French and Jamaican ancestry.
How do I identify with Obama? I take him as a wonderful human being who has all the qualities to run America because he has the education, sophistication and energy to do a job that is necessary.
Am I voting for him JUST because he is black? Honestly I am votiing for Obama because he is well qualified. If this was Jesse Jackson instead of Obama vs. McCain, I rather have McCain. Jesse Jackson's politics are not in my frame of mind anymore although I did support his vision in 1988 when he ran for President but nowadays he is dated and OLD news. His recent comments about Obama were unnecessary and also proof of his jealousy of seeing that Obama received the Demoncratic nomination when he did not in 1988:
Soundbite of Jesse Jackson talking about Obama (he is whispering but please he KNEW better not to say this with a microphone on him. And, he should not have said he did not know better considering all the times Jesse Jackson has been on TV since the 1960s until the present. Lame excuse)
When you want to know WHY race is still a factor think of the case of
Emmitt Till
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/till/
Think of the lynchings in America
http://www.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/african/2000/lynching.htm
Think of the insensitive remarks of what Japanese Prime Minister Nagasoki said about Hispanics & Blacks..
http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50713F83D590C748EDDA00894DE484D81
Think about the East Indian man recently who was sentenced to life in prison to having his daughter in law killed only because she was black!
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/06/26/sparkle_rai_contract_killing.html
and many other stories that could be shared as Ivylander said which could be made into a book
Today I was informed of this case and I am flabbergasted this occurred in my family's hometown but honestly this is some the insanity my family experienced living in Daytona throughout our time living there:
http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=13255
Living for me in America is NOT simple and it is not even white people who give me the problem most of the time but BLACK people who give me the hang ups I have about existing in this world.
Seeing this video should be enough:
Thanks for the dialogue.
Cody B - thank you for the history on JB and the reason for why he wrote his song. Did not realize what he was going through. It was before I even existed.
Ivylander - you are blessed that your children have not experienced the insensitvity that some mixed children have faced. Angela Nissel wrote a great book of her experiences but she wrote in the voice that brings humor to a complex issue. Her book is known as, Mixed.
There definitely should be more than a post, book or TV series but honest discussions about these issues instead of hiding behind a veil or the insensitive remarks that are made from time to time that we all may receive only because of our differences.
Actor/Activist Hill Harper has attempted to reach young girls and boys with his series of books, Letters to a Young Brother & Letters to a Young Sister on how to live as a black child living in America but UNFORTUNATELY the publishing houses he took his initial story to did not see *the point* in his books.
This goes the same to documenatries that cannot be made because some funders do not want their money in helping to spread social justice but for other agendas. It is hard road. I have worked in that industry and I know that I have attempted to help tell the stories of the unknown but those open doors to make the films and money needed to fund the projects are not easy to come buy. Therefore, I try to share what I can on my blog.
But then the blog can be too overwhelming to address and nit pick on every nuance and problem there is in the world dealing with sensitive issues that needs better forums to be addressed
Thank you for your time, energy, input, dialogue, thoughts and prayers..
Hopefully this little dialogue will help to open eyes of how some minorities look at the world
Please watch CNN - Being Black in America. Second Part comes on Thursday.
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/black.in.america/
I missed the CNN special, but I'm going to check my TiVo to see when it airs again...
I'm disappointed in the CNN Show - Black in America
=(http://serenitylife.vox.com/library/post/thanks-but-again---this-problem-situation-needs-to-be-given-solutions.html
Yeah,I didn't really expect too much from CNN..
And, to address one issue above, I'll vote for Barack 'cause he's a Democrat..If it was an old white guy as a dem vs. a younger black republican, I would vote for the old white guy..At this point, I'm not too thrilled about the Dem party, but I don't think voting for a third party can even start to get something done right now..
@cody b - I agree wish I had you over on CNN for I am being attacked on their website =( oh well..I should delete my post there..
My voice does not matter..I don't care to discuss these issues anymore on CNN or probably even here on my blog although I think about them often.
I tried so I cannot complain on that..
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-49728
Thanks for your continued discussion on this.Although I am a white male I still see racism as you describe. I think that it needs to be addressed so that maybe some day it will not be an issue.
My expierance comes from living in Suburban Detroit and watching the riots as a young teen. In the early 70's I had the fortune to have close friends of color invite me to live with their family for many years in Detroit. I expieranced some racism as being the only white male in the neighborhood.However. I did see that most people are really unaware of what people of color must endure daily.I still treasure that expierance to this day.I think that the times have gotten better since then but its seems very slow.
My wife and I adopted from Guatemala ten years ago and continue to have to educate people on their inappropiate behavior.I may not agree with your intensity on this issue, I do think we need to be aware of the life expierance of people of all cultures. Thanks
It's called free speech for a reason. Your writings are instructive as is the dialogue surrounding them. Keep it coming, Serenity.
@cpetersonart3 - thank you for sharing your story with me. This is why I tell people we need to stop being resistant but to listen to other stories for you have understood some of this issues first hand although you are not black. However, you are senstive to the issues which is a big step.
Some people refuse or just don't get it because they have not been in it.
My passion and zeal in discussing the issues because when you live it, experience it and are forced to define yourself constantly you either ignore in trying to teach or you teach it.
This is why I do not mind teaching and sharing but some people have driven me to the point where I will not discuss these issues anymore because all they want to do is argue. I am not that angry to argue all the time.
I know God has allowed me to experience beuty in life such as art, my solitude, music and great conversations. That is happiness to me and not the consumerism that is preached to me through the media constantly.
Thanks again for your time
@jonh - you are always so encouraging and I appreciate you reminding me to go for it! I won't give up! But I was saddened when my friend, Rashunda, who is Black American who lives in Zurich said this to me today:
http://twitter.com/rashunda/statuses/867132709
I won't give up!
My recent reaction to 2nd Part of Black America - continued disappointment. I am not putting value into it at all. But some people think it is historic for some odd reason. The show continues to highlight problems without highlighting solutions. I wrote some things on twitter about the solutions that could be offerred and I may do a blog post.
Someone said this show is historic like the American movie Roots. I said to them well if that is the case I rather watch Roots than watch this mini series!!
Enough of my brain working I need sleep!
Fantastic thread here, I have some thoughts as I just attended an Undoing Racism course. I will post on it soon.
So I will save my comments, but yes, racism is alive in this country. It is still in the form of bigotry but there is institutionalized racism that really keeps people of color down. Like lending practices and privatization of schools. Like I said, I will add some thoughts in my post.
peace
@oatmeal - wow! Thank you for adding to the discussion. Everyone's input is necessary for us to know how we can help this situation out! You are SO RIGHT about "lending practices and privatization of schools!" =(
Looking forward to *writing/chatting* with you! Have a blessed week!
Still have not had the chance to post, but the workshop was put on my the "People's Institute":http://www.pisab.org/ if you are curious.
@oatmeal - thank you! I am always here. I've been busy too in fact receiving your comment inspired me to share some music that was shared with me today! I will learn a lot through The People's Institute Link you shared! Thank you for the education!