Please Stop Reminding Me About Racism, Slavery, and Hatred

So last week I was tricked into going to a play with my lady friend on the basis that she paid $200 for the tickets and we were going to the ballet. As it turns out, them joints cost $78 total - AFTER fees, and it wasn't even close to the ballet, it was a bunch of people dancing about the Underground Railroad and the slave trade, etc.

I can't say I was too mad with her, because I know me and knowing me, the first thing I'dve said is "what the F*** are we going to see a play about slavery for?" - (exact probable words) and likely would have proceeded to being trying to talk her out of the entire thing. Having made up her mind that she REALLY wanted to go, she set out on a course of lies to get me not to resist. OK, fine. But guess what - stop f-ing lying to me woman. If I'm an ornery old man who complains about how much things cost, young people, and racist shit then that's what I am. Deal or No Deal.

As it were, the dance thing wasn't that bad. Sure we missed the whole first half and if the cast wasn't on CP time wouldn't have made it by intermission like we did, but the unintentional comedy made it worth it. They had slaves dying trying to cross the river, evil looking white men, and Quakers treating the first negro male they saw like Barack Obama himself (no, really... at least three times he could've easily shouted "Yes We Can" and it would've made sense with everything else going on on stage).

But as we walked out, I pretended to enjoy it more than I really did because of her feelings. I did let one line out though... something about "all this racist shit".

I guess what I was trying to express is that, yeah, it was cool to see people dancing, and it would've probably been cooler if we had seen the beginning with the African dance, but we could go see people dance without the whole slavery thing in the background and I'll be JUST FINE. I don't need a damn reminder that we African-American Negro Blacks were mostly brought over here against our will on ships. In fact, its probably good I wasn't there for the middle passage portion because we sat on the front row and It ain't nothing to hop up on a stage and shut this whole bitch down if it gets out of hand.

I DO NOT NEED TO BE REMINDED OF SLAVERY

I DO NOT NEED TO BE REMINDED OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

I DO NOT NEED TO BE TOLD THAT WHITE PEOPLE DONT LOOK AT BLACKS OR ANYONE ELSE AS EQUALS IN AMERICAN SOCIETY

I'm tired of being reminded. All these specials. CNN Black in America... why the hell am I watching this? I'm black. It was allegedly designed for whites to understand us more. OK, so I'm not even the target audience and all of my friends are having watch parties? The first time, ok fine, we didn't really know what to expect. But after part 1, Black in America 2 could've been skipped.

Everyone is mad at John Mayer for saying he doesn't get a rise for black chicks. Well guess what, I don't sex white chicks yet. Does that make either one of us racists? No. He said Holly Robinson Peete and Kerri Washington are fine. I think Scarlett Johannson is extra fine (she is). It's not that big a deal for a white dude to like white women. But suddenly, John C Mayer is now the symbol for oppression in America? Move along people...nothing to see here. Its just a bunch of folks trying to bring up a stupid, pointless played out discussion.

Here's a movie example - American Violet. NO I DID NOT GO SEE IT. I had to remember (when people asked me if I had planned on seeing it) that they meant no harm, but I think I might have light-snapped on at least one person over that. Explain to me the point of me going to watch Black people getting treated poorly in Texas. Like really explain it to me... What is that going to do except piss me off and possibly INCITE VIOLENCE? They don't screen those movies in the hood. I wonder why...


Another example of things I don't need to be reminded of = Precious. Didn't need to see it. I already know people live fucked up lives and can't catch a break. Do you think I needed to have the image of Monique masterbating and talking bout some "come take care of momma" seared into my memory forever. I'm a damn empath who may be clairsentinent...I DO NOT need that type of energy around me. I was upset about that movie for hours, until I found out it wasn't a true story in the classical sense (bits and pieces of various fucked up lives were merged into one for the story/book/movie. I was glad to find out that one person didn't have ALL of that happen to them by the age of 18 - that could really lead to some questioning of God)

Back to the original point, I'm just tired of the same bullshit conversations about race. Its always someone complaining or pointing out the latest fucked up thing someone said about someone else's race. So many hypocrites in the media - *sigh*.

When you want to get into some real dialogue about race relations and want to discuss ways to improve things, holla at ya boy for some real talk.

Oh you want me to tell you my ideas now? U say because this is a blog and that's what blogs are for?

OK fine...

1. Integrate Elementary Schools and Neighborhoods.
Children tend to have open minds. A few friends of opposite races growing up could possibly keep people from hating others based on their race down the line.

2. Positive Images in the Media of Minority Families
Barack Obama would not be President of The United States if not for The Cosby Show. A lot of people my age wouldn't have college degrees from HBCUs if not for A Different World. Now, all people see of Blacks on tv are in music videos and The CW. At least 24 had two black presidents (followed by a woman, so get ready for Hillary or Someone not named Sarah Palin in 3 years) for a spell. The bottom line is, TV and media play a huge role in how people see other people today. Why does everyone do racist shit like make Kung Fu sounds when they see someone Asian (or at least think about it)? Because that's what they see on TV.

3. Positive Images of Interracial Families and Children in the Media
Similar to the first, but this one is tougher to pull off.

4. White Legislators in Southern States Treating HBCUs Like They Know What Time It Is
I don't ever see this happening, but if Southern whites would stop fucking with state ran HBCUs every chance they got, and instead acknowledged the important role HBCUs play for Black Americans and America in general, things would run a lot smoother. Do you think I gained or lost trust for White People when the Florida Legislature tried to put FAMU in the bottom of three tiers in their new funding scheme in the early 2000s? The answer is LOST. Now, how do you think I, as an alumni (and a financial one at that), am going to react when I hear of any changes coming from the Legislature involving FAMU? We should want more people to get an education in every way imaginable in the first place. Who cares if we all want to go to college together? White people get to do it.

5. Black People Being WAY WAY Less Defensive and More Intelligent in Race Discussions
When and If Blacks can stop pretending to be upset every single chance they get, and instead move towards having a rational point of view when it comes to race, we could earn some respect. Respect won't necessarily change one individual's mind, but it will have a trickle down effect, and an effect on "swing voters" - people who could be racist or cool on a given day, given their last few impressions of a given minority. If the last Black person you talked to was Barack Obama, you might think Blacks were all articulate, intelligent, and understood race relations are not as simple as Black and White. But the other 99% of our race tends to want to yell a lot and claim racism, etc. Look, if someone asks me if I need help in a store I answer their question. If they follow me around, I can just leave and smile at them and say "thank you" on the way out. No need to make a big ass scene - what will that accomplish? Act with grace and dignity and you'll get it back. If I were to flip and be like "WHY ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" - Guess who looks bad? How will the next black customer be treated?

6. Fight Fire With Water
You know what makes my life easier? NOT responding to racist stuff, and actually acting like it didn't occur if it doesn't matter. If someone says "that nigger" etc, in reference to me and I hear it - what should I do? Beat his ass? Well of course the answer is "yes", but what does that accomplish? Sometimes you have to take one for the team and IGNORE the haters. After being ignored long enough, haters stop. Stop acknowledging the KKK exists and they lose power (but of course, watch your back in The Deep South). You can't let the terrorists win...



OK that's enough for one night. Do you have any ideas to improve race relations? Put them in the comments section, I look forward to reading them. Oh, by the way, if you put "reparations"...you're fired.

Speaking of Racism... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKBKKKLjVSY