TODAY in BLACKNESS: Lets Talk about Race, Baby.
The New York Times featured an article called “Talk About Race? Relax, It’s O.K. ” discussing the new found conversation that has arisen in the United States due to the election of Barack Obama.
“There’s a more readily accessible conduit into the conversation about race if it begins with Barack Obama,” said Mr. Rice, the executive director of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials — International, a professional law enforcement group. “In my experience over the last few months, it’s easier because it’ll begin with who he is, the differences between his parents, what he had to deal with.”
Easier? No. Yes, we’ve definitely been forced into a race discussion but I, personally, don’t find it easier at all. Maybe white people feel all comfortable since they have their brand new black friend Barack and so now the can say all the stuff they’ve had floating in their head. That’s not easier for ME. At this point I’ve just become an official emissary for blackness where ever I go. People start with conversations with me about anything. Rap Music, white women, fried chicken. They say what they want and then I clear up the nonsense.
The article also speaks of the supposed “transcendence” of Obama over race.
Some said the president-elect’s sheer star power, their growing sense that he is viewed by whites as an individual who transcends race — a Michael Jordan or an Oprah Winfrey — would do little to improve race relations.
I disagree with this concept of “trancendence” in its entirety. No one transcends their race. Why would it ever be neccessary to do so? Why can’t he just be brilliant president Obama who is black? I feel that this is a specifically white idea. I never think that a white person trancends race. I never “NOT” see color. WHY WOULD I? And when did Oprah and Jordan trancend race? I see Oprah, I see black billionare, which makes me feel warm on the inside. Erasing color is a major issue. How will the very idea of black and what that entails ever change if when a black person does something great its like “I don’t see their color.”
I bet you’d see the color of the dude mugging you at the ATM. How about the dude who just came home with your daughter?
Elon James White
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I think when people say “transcend race” they aren’t really talking about skin color, they are talking about culture. They’re talking about people transcending their cultural affiliation and being accepted by mainstream culture. Oprah has transcended her race in that people see a billionaire that happens to have Black skin.
Black is a racial description, but also sometimes a cultural one. There are plenty of people with black skin that I wouldn’t consider Black (which is why I capitalize Black when I’m talking about the culture and don’t when it’s used as a physical description). They don’t identify with Black culture and they have no loyalty to Black people. Like if there was a club that only let in Black people, they wouldn’t get in.
I think when people say “transcend race” they aren’t really talking about skin color, they are talking about culture. They’re talking about people transcending their cultural affiliation and being accepted by mainstream culture. Oprah has transcended her race in that people see a billionaire that happens to have Black skin.
Black is a racial description, but also sometimes a cultural one. There are plenty of people with black skin that I wouldn’t consider Black (which is why I capitalize Black when I’m talking about the culture and don’t when it’s used as a physical description). They don’t identify with Black culture and they have no loyalty to Black people. Like if there was a club that only let in Black people, they wouldn’t get in.
“I disagree with this concept of “trancendence” in its entirety. No one transcends their race. Why would it ever be neccessary to do so? Why can’t he just be brilliant president Obama who is black? I feel that this is a specifically white idea.”
I totally agree and you are right they’d see the race of the mf’er that’s mugging them at the atm or jacking their car.
I just laugh at this pollyanna nonsense, it’s fake, phony … a fraud, we know the real deal. I love the white folks I know personally … they don’t bullshit around the facts. I’m black your white … it’s all good, but the world ain’t colorblind (and it don’t need to be).
“I disagree with this concept of “trancendence” in its entirety. No one transcends their race. Why would it ever be neccessary to do so? Why can’t he just be brilliant president Obama who is black? I feel that this is a specifically white idea.”
I totally agree and you are right they’d see the race of the mf’er that’s mugging them at the atm or jacking their car.
I just laugh at this pollyanna nonsense, it’s fake, phony … a fraud, we know the real deal. I love the white folks I know personally … they don’t bullshit around the facts. I’m black your white … it’s all good, but the world ain’t colorblind (and it don’t need to be).
I feel that the “transcending race” thing is just another subtle way white people let us know they are uncomfortable with “us”. Like you, I believe that if race were not an issue then it wouldn’t be mentioned. If race is not and issue and Barack has “transcended” it, then why was there the great debate over his color? If race is not an issue, then why were many Americans troubled at the thought that he might have been a Muslim or that his middle name is Hussein? Race is an issue and like you, we all see skin color. There’s nothing wrong with seeing skin color, but it is wrong to see certain skin as bad.
I feel that the “transcending race” thing is just another subtle way white people let us know they are uncomfortable with “us”. Like you, I believe that if race were not an issue then it wouldn’t be mentioned. If race is not and issue and Barack has “transcended” it, then why was there the great debate over his color? If race is not an issue, then why were many Americans troubled at the thought that he might have been a Muslim or that his middle name is Hussein? Race is an issue and like you, we all see skin color. There’s nothing wrong with seeing skin color, but it is wrong to see certain skin as bad.
Whenever I hear folks talk about “I don’t see color” I always ask if they’ve been to the opthalmologist. (and yes, I had to go look how to spell that…)
But seriously, folks should see the eye doc if they don’t ‘see color.’ There is something wrong with them. If you look at me and don’t see a brown skin woman with thick hair, I wonder who you are looking at.
Whenever I hear folks talk about “I don’t see color” I always ask if they’ve been to the opthalmologist. (and yes, I had to go look how to spell that…)
But seriously, folks should see the eye doc if they don’t ‘see color.’ There is something wrong with them. If you look at me and don’t see a brown skin woman with thick hair, I wonder who you are looking at.
Ahhhh…that deceptive word–transcendence. More laziness on the part of people who can’t be bothered to learn about anyone different than they are. It’s deadly dull and inexcusable in the 21st century.
Ahhhh…that deceptive word–transcendence. More laziness on the part of people who can’t be bothered to learn about anyone different than they are. It’s deadly dull and inexcusable in the 21st century.
I wonder what you think about “transcendence” when it’s applied not to the man but to something he does. For instance, an article I just read remarked that “Obama’s speeches … transcending race, while still drawing from the African-American rhetorical tradition.” Is this a legitimate statement?
I wonder what you think about “transcendence” when it’s applied not to the man but to something he does. For instance, an article I just read remarked that “Obama’s speeches … transcending race, while still drawing from the African-American rhetorical tradition.” Is this a legitimate statement?