Im saying it LOUD, Im BLACK and Im PROUD
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I don�t usually respond to stupid shit�.But I cant sit still and keep my mouth shut no more. And besides it�s about time that I show that I do have an intellectual side. I did a survey on black people a while back just because I was curious to see how much people really know about black people, their contribution to this country and to hopefully inspire and �ah hah� moment among those who took the survey. My goal of the survey was to hopefully enlighten a few people and gain some insight for myself through responses and comments. I knew that my questions would make people feel uncomfortable and maybe even angry. But when discussing the issue of race, that�s what happens. Usually it�s white people who are uncomfortable and black people who get mad and angry about the ignorance of white people. Although I have experienced white people who get mad too. Why?? Cause they wanna know why black people always harp on racial issues and why we always have to bring up �the slavery thing� (yes, some sill lil white girl said that too me). I�m gonna tell you like I told her. The slavery thing was more than a �lil thing� it not only an important part of black history but it was an integral part of this countries history. Without slavery, this country would not be as progressive as it is now. I don�t condone slavery not one bit. But I appreciate the backbreaking work that my ancestors did so that I can have the many opportunities that I have today. I will admit that I tend to harp on racial differences quite a bit. Mainly because I recognize the HUGE differences between white people and black people and I want others to recognize the differences and admit they exists. I�m tired of white people saying racism does not exist anymore, that racial profiling is a figment of black people�s imagination or that we don�t get screened for jobs based on our �black sounding� names. It�s all BULLSHIT!! Racism is alive and thriving. The bad part is most racist nowadays are covert racist. For whatever crazy reason they don�t consider themselves racist because they have a black friend or two; or they are so ignorant and brainwashed into believing that its just a coincidence that the media rarely provides positive information that black people do (living in the Suburbs will do that too you). What people need to realize is that we live in a racial society, which is why racial identity has as much meaning as it does. We cannot talk meaningfully about racial identity with out talking about racism, class and privilege. So to the respondent that said �I think black people should get over the slavery deal. Seriously, sorry your distant relatives had to pick cotton, but you havn't picked anything but your ass and your nose and neither have I!� FYI�I have picked up something��A FUCKING BOOK!!! Maybe you should do the same! Ideally I would like it if there was not a color difference after all it is �just color� as one respondent put it. But too bad that this country was founded on �good Christian morals� of class and privilege. From the moment black people stepped foot on this country we were lower class (usually indentured servants), then we became slaves. Now we are supposed to just forget all those hundreds and hundreds of years of history and put it all behind us. Funny thing is I was never asked to leave other parts of American history in the past. My point is, the lil color difference thing and slavery that we seem to harp on all the time is a part of our history and would be impossible for us to forget. So why don�t YOUget over it!!And for those of you who think that black people �cry� discrimination every time someone looks at them wrong, it�s because we have had to deal with the shit for so long and now that we have an opportunity voice our problems and concerns, and try to get justice, we do. Unfortunately not enough black people report when they are discriminated against which is why it still takes place. Some may question my motive of the survey and may even call me prejudice. I will admit that I am prejudice (just like the rest of this country). I can�t stand ignorant ass white people who believe they are superior to black because of their precious skin color. The difference between so many Americans and me is that I admit that I have biases and prejudices whereas most people don�t believe they have a prejudice bone in their body. I had an Asian women ask me before �why is everything always a black and white issue?? What about Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans struggle in America??� I realize that they too have had a hard time in this country but I can�t speak on behalf of these other races because I don�t belong to them. I have sat in classes with Asians and Hispanics and heard white people throwing out erroneous stereotypes about their culture and they sat back and said nothing. Why should I stand up for them when they don�t stand up for themselves? Don�t get me wrong I have been in class with other minorities that corrected people who were repeating false notions about their culture and I backed them up 100%. But I�m not going to stand up for someone who wont stand up for themselves. Black people don�t often have a hard time standing up for themselves when others are providing misleading information about their culture. Which is why it may seem as everything is always a �black and white� issue. And I can only speak of my experience as black women in America. I support the efforts of these other races as they struggle for equality as well, and would love to see these other cultures have a month in which we acknowledge their contributions to America. It was no surprise to me that many white people responded the way they did. What surprised me was some of the black people who responded and were unaware of some rather important black history. But then again I should not be surprised, seeing as how very rarely do they cover black history in school. And even though we have black history month, for most it�s just another month. Nowadays kids (and even some adults) don�t even know that February is black history month. But that is no excuse not to pick up a book and read about our legacy. I�m no black history genius but I make it a point to read as often as I can about my history. For those of you who thought that my survey was �stupid� or �lame�, I�m sorry that you felt that way. But I did not force you to complete the survey and if you disliked it that much why did you finish it? Thank You to those respondents who provided the positive feed back. I enjoyed creating the survey and really enjoyed reading your responses and comments. If I have offended anyone�TOO DAMN BAD�GET OVER IT!! This is my diary and I can write what ever the fuck I please. |
2:35 p.m. || June 13, 2003 |
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