In light of the recent Charleston shooting, I’ve decided it’s time for me to really speak out on the issue of racism. It is saddening to me that such a vast amount of people still claim that racism no longer exists, and when we do speak out we are pulling the “race card." I strongly believe many people out there need to come to terms with white privilege on issues today. So many times I have heard white people say, "Black people have nothing to complain about," or, "They’re bringing the trouble onto themselves." And no, this isn’t an attack on white people, nor do I believe that white people are somehow evil. As a biracial person, I have black family members, as well as white family members. This allows me to see the good and bad in both-- because after are we are all human.
As a biracial person I’ve heard plenty of derogatory comments toward black people and at me specifically.
“You’re a niblet.” -My sister’s friend when I was in middle school.
“You’re like an Oreo, black on the outside white on the inside.” - A girl from Spanish class. She was referring to the fact that I was very quiet and shy in class. Another way of saying I didn’t, “act ghetto like other black girls.”
“Do you act white? Or are you more on the black side and act kinda crazy?" - A random girl I was introduced to during my first fall at USF.
“You can make a black joke, there aren’t any real black people in here.” - My high school teacher. This was her response to a boy asking if he could make a racist joke. I was the only non-white person in the classroom.
“Don’t tell my dad I’m dating ___ he doesn’t want me dating him because he’s black. Don’t worry my dad likes you though, so he’s not racist.” - A friend of mine on my high school softball team.
“Doesn’t that over there look kinda like a cotton field? I don’t see any black people working it though.” - A girl from high school.
“I mean I don’t dislike all black people, just the ones that act all ghetto...so most of them.” - A boy in U.S History class (who was always wearing the confederate flag on his clothing...shocker).
“Maybe black people wouldn’t be getting shot by the police if they weren’t so disrespectful and didn’t act like animals all the time.” - A girl on Facebook (because apparently being disrespectful warrants you being murdered).
“Wiggers.” - My ex-stepfather, he was in another room thinking nobody could hear him on the phone.
“It’s not their fault they’re black!” - My ex-stepfather, he was trying to explain to my mother that my sister was in so much turmoil because she was hanging around too many black people. To which my mother replied, “Do you not realize that my children are all half black?” Apparently being black is a fault.
“I’m glad that you talk white.” - A girl from high school. Apparently choosing to speak the way I was taught in school is only what white people do. Even if I did decide to speak in a way I like (not traditionally taught in school), how does that get to determine my intelligence or value?
“Yeah some are born good looking and some are born black.” - My sister’s friend,
I was explaining how some mixed people come out very, very light (like my sister) or darker (like me).
I could go on and on, just like many other people could. However, this brings about my next point. When the Trayvon Martin case came out, media immediately condemned him. They tried to make it his fault that he was shot and killed, because you know...he was carrying that pesky bag of skittles. If he had been a white male media would have gone on a rampage...in his defense. They would have talked about how he was a good friend, or a quiet student. A fellow USF writer, Libby Jourdan has a fantastic article written on this topic :http://theodysseyonline.com/usf/dylann-roof-what-m.... If white people were being systematically killed and brutalized by police, all hell would break loose. Action would be executed right away to put a stop to this. When the Ferguson/Baltimore incidents happened, black people were labeled "thugs" and "wild animals." Not to mention the fact that there were plenty of peaceful protests, that went unnoticed and ignored by the media. Hear is a video I found on Facebook by Brave New Films, which showcases how the media supports racism: http://www.worldwidecred.com/video/66174/white-rio...
After the shooting occurred, I didn't see many white people on Facebook outraged that nine innocent black lives were taken while in bible study, granted there were a few, but not many. The same white people who had plenty to say during Ferguson, Baltimore, Police brutality (all on the side of the abusers) were silent when the nine indisputably innocent black lives were taken. Where did all of your anger and outrage go? Oh yes! I remember all that fire and anger you had went to fighting about the bullet proof vests.
Please, please stop with the whole white people are being attacked for being white. No they are not. You don't have the media saying your race is a bunch of animals, when you're being murdered off and decide to stand up for yourself. You don't watch television and see almost every TV show filled with black or Mexican people. You don't have the media convincing you that your hair would be so pretty if you could put it up in an afro. I think to sum it up I'm going to include one more video, a link for an article on white privilege and a few quotes. This video is by Jon Stewart; the first is on the Ferguson incident, and the next is on the Charleston shooting. http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/ufqeuz/race-offhttp://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2015/06/19/watch-jo...This last link is on white privilege: http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/09/white-privileg...
Wake up! Instead of getting offended, try and make some positive change. You have the power to do something.
“Privilege is when you contribute to the oppression of others and then claim that you are the one being discriminated against.”
― DaShanne Stokes
“Racism is dead only to those who've closed their eyes and ears to the whole world around them.”
― DaShanne Stokes
“There is no racism against white people. If you can turn on the TV and see people like you that's not racism. If you can have your favorite characters who are poc race changed to look like you then you don't face racism. If you don't think about Ferguson every single second because your race is being killed every hour, that's not racism. If you don't get called derogatory slurs because of your skin tone that's not racism. If you don't hate your body because of your race that's not racism. If you don't have to go through life knowing people will think of you as ugly or disgusting and hate you simply because your white that's not racism. You don't face racism for being white. Ya people can be jerks about it. But it's not institutionalized. That's like saying you face discrimination for being straight. It's not a thing. You don't face racism. You might want to get over that.”
― Adam Snowflake
