Posted on 11/12/2005 3:45:48 PM PST by Chi-townChief
Responses to my "What Blacks Can Do, What Whites Can't" column were overwhelming in volume and in intensity. Blacks are definitely divided on this subject. Some African Americans went so far as to call me "self-hating," for bringing up the double standard many of us are operating under.
I was also not surprised that some of the applause came from whites who have a low opinion of blacks, period. But "What Blacks Can Do, What Whites Can't" isn't about them. It's about starting the conversation that needs to take place between blacks about blacks disrespecting blacks.
I also heard from members of the "hip-hop heads" who accused me of being out of touch. The only thing I can say to that is this: If not using racial slurs means I'm out of touch, I don't want to get in touch. If not believing that black women and girls are "hos" and "B's" puts me out of touch, I'll just stay out of touch.
Now, here's what some of you had to say via e-mail:
"I'm a Latina, and there are times that I see how Mexicans are portrayed and it really does sicken me," wrote a reader in Iowa. "On the other hand, I also see how Latinos perpetuate these stereotypes, and so the issue struck me."
What's interesting about the hip-hop mania is that youth from every culture want to be part of it. For example, one day last summer, a carload of Hispanic males pulled up in front of my house with their radio blasting filthy lyrics. They got out of the car and stood beside it, talking loudly and addressing each other as "N----- this" and "N----- that." It was appalling.
"It may not be my place to comment on this issue, but . . . (I) have seen firsthand that there is much wasted potential and talent in the African-American community and anyone that has the courage to attempt to rectify this problem deserves tremendous encouragement and credit," said a reader who identified himself as having grown up in Evanston.
Thanks, but no thanks. When it comes to these sensitive racial matters, a white person's praise doesn't help. Ask Condoleezza Rice.
And, whatever the topic, it's always the media's fault.
"The media does not want to focus on 'elected' representation. The media does not want to tell the story of hard-working, non-music, non-athlete, non-movie-star persons of color. We as a community appear to be so starved for recognition that we accept any ink, on anybody, that fits the image dujour," a reader wrote.
As Sen. Barack Obama's brilliant memoir reveals, biracial children and people who are involved in interracial relationships catch it from both ends. They, perhaps better than others, understand that blacks can be just as prejudiced as whites.
"Many blacks think it is o.k. to use racial slurs directed at my family," he wrote. "In 10 years of marriage, I have yet to hear one white say anything racially degrading towards my family, yet we get racially degrading remarks from blacks on a monthly basis."
He obviously forgot Rule No. 1: Blacks can degrade each other in public, but whites can't say anything that could even be construed as degrading about a black person. Still, that doesn't mean that whites aren't talking about this man like a dog behind his back.
Whites respond
Here's one from a white guy who only agrees with my column when I'm taking black people to task:
"You actually had something bad to say about your race. What you need to address is the fact that many blacks are [prejudiced] against whites and that is ok . . . but if whites don't like blacks, mostly because of the way they act. Then that is horrible, and they deserve to be ostrized. [sic]"
OK. I understand that mostly. But it's the partly that is usually a problem. And as revealed by the next e-mail, whites still don't understand why they don't get to criticize black leadership.
"Personally, I have a HIGH disrespect for the Sharptons, Jackson Srs., Farrakhans of the black community. Why -- not only because of their contempt for 'white folk'; but also their well honed capability to manipulate the black community to ridicule those deserved of respect such as Thomas and Rice."
Really, why should black people give a heck about what white people think about black leaders? They aren't following them. Didn't they learn anything from the Marion Barry comeback?
Finally, a black male student at the University of Chicago got to the crux of the controversy.
"I want you to come to this campus and sit in our library so a white student can look at you, confused and ask if you are a part of the janitorial staff," he said. "I want you to come to this campus so a white student can introduce himself to the white person standing next to you with a handshake and then address you with 'wassup my sista, how you livin.' "
Black people who make it to U of C don't want to be associated with these images from the 'hood.
Still, it's not up to white people to change those images. That's on us.
Could be written on the back of a napkin.
"It's about starting the conversation that needs to take place between blacks about blacks disrespecting blacks."
I have a hard time taking any one seriously who uses the term " disrespecting" Talk about dumbing down!
NOT A CLUE..
I am scratching my head over this one. Would someone care to tell me what the author is trying to say here?
This reminds me of 1969 when we landed on the moon and some TV type stuck a microphone in the face of Ralph Abernathy to get him whining about the state of racial relations.
I am scratching my head over this one. Would someone care to tell me what the author is trying to say here?
What I think she is saying is that many blacks see Rice as a "sellout" in part due to her being closely tied to a white Republican Administration. Many blacks are dubious of black conservatives because they believe that they are airing dirty laundry regarding blacks in order to entertain whites who want to feel superior.
In other words, white person's praise- blacks will not listen to what needs to be heard, believing it to be a mere putdown.
You would be entitled to draw back a bloody stump.
That one kinda stands out.
this author is a twit.
anyone of any race who is a barbarian or a pimp for barbarism is fair game for my criticism.
You may be right.
Still, it makes me wonder: What would Condoleezza Rice say if someone asked her, as the author suggests? Does Secretary Rice worry about such things?
Yes, it happens. At a college-gathering I went to, someone asked a black male who was in our group if he was "the limo driver".
Ping!!!
You've nailed it.
Sounds like the world's righting itself, to me! har har! (I know, I know. I'm bigoted against frogs.)
It happens, and the white kids have no idea how idiotic and stupid they look and sound.
There was a movie on cable recently, "White Boys", about white kids in a small rural farming town trying to act ghetto and being "down wit da bruthas" - only to be nearly killed by real thugs in Chicago in a drug deal gone bad (hilarious scene where hick brings $68 to buy drugs, and thinks the thug drug dealer will loan him the rest...) Incredibly funny, and VERY realistic movie.
Thug culture is all the rage. It will pass. I'm not saying its good, bad, or anything, but it too will pass - and with it all the wanna be thugs and hos at the mall with it.
The same is true of the Arab, Nuyorican, Dominican, and Guyanese "yutes" in New York. Black English has become the official language of "the street" these days for many ethnic groups. "Brooklynese" is all but dead.
"I'm a Latina, and there are times that I see how Mexicans are portrayed and it really does sicken me," wrote a reader in Iowa. "On the other hand, I also see how Latinos perpetuate these stereotypes, and so the issue struck me."
Just guessing,
but that guess is that you didn't really read the article. :(
As for white people talking black when they meet blacks, I have seen this and feel embarassed.
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