Well, it's been long enough since I posted that maybe no one will read this. And part of me wants it that way. But the other part (the part that enjoys good healthy discussion/interaction) wants this read, reacted, forwarded and noticed. So here goes....
We happened to drop in on the show "Duel" tonight. At one point an African-American lady won her round. So she got to choose her next opponent. For those who have not seen the show, 3 candidates are shown and she chooses 1. So there was a young white man (computer tech), an Air Force white man, and a young African-American man. The Black woman said, "I'll pick my brother." Does that sound racist to you? Probably not. And she almost certainly did not intend it as racist.
BUUUUUTTTTT, turn the tables:
If I were the contestant and won my first round and got to choose the next opponent, I might face this situation: A Mexican-American lady, an African-American man, and a White woman. What if I said, "I'll choose my fellow White."
Even if I meant it innocently, the press and public reaction would tar and feather me from Maine to San Diego. I would be called every name in the book. But especially I would be accused of Racism.
The point is this: The real racism is accusing every White person of racism every time we make an innocent comment but ignoring the correspondingly offensive words by people of color.
Well, like I said before, I'm sure this lady meant nothing more than, I can see that this guy is also African-American. But sometimes that's all we Whites mean when wesay something without anticipating how it might be (mis)interpreted by others.
Well, that's my rant for now.
What do you think?
ttfn
me with my beautiful, wonderful (bw)
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- Currently, I am posting my "musings on Ephesians." This was a 6 1/2 month process of allowing Paul's letter to Ephesus to speak to me about my situations. Some of it gets rather personal. But hopefully it can help you too.
3 comments:
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm... very interesting!!!
I guess for me... Jesus challenged us to love our neighbor as much as we love ourself... My neighbor may or may not look and act like me... Jesus challenges me to care as deeply about ALL the people of my world, as much as I care about my "brother", let alone "myself"...
So... can I [will I] today care [become fully engaged with] with all the people of my world???!!!
Thanks for asking!!!
Gale :)
Your point is well taken. However, the two situations are not the same. I think the main difference is history and context. Clearly, the dominant culture here is white, has been white, and has been oppressive towards African Americans, Hispanics, etc. So for a white man to say this is more likely indicative of fear or isolationist, though the content is the same. For two black people, the perceived sentiment is one more of solidarity than exclusion. If you could convey that in choosing your fellow white woman, fine, but to what end? Is there a need, historical or otherwise, for white racial solidarity? I'm skeptical about that. Rather, it seems our task to make amends for the sins of our fathers, intentionally and with good will. The same can be said for the person in your story. Wouldn't it be great if we could call everyone brother and friend?
I don't think there's anything wrong with the woman saying "I'll pick my brother," or even in her wanting to pick him because they are from the same racial and presumably the same cultural background. But I do agree with ed that there tends to be a racism against whites in America that prevents them in some cases from celebrating their own heritage, and also punishes them unduly for innocent or minor mistakes. Shawn's reminder of historical context is of course important to bear in mind, but does not mean that this double standard is or should be acceptable on an ongoing basis.
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