Being Black and Doing ____________________ In America | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Being Black and Doing ____________________ In America

A Discussion on Some of the Can's/Cant's Being Black In America

17
Being Black and Doing ____________________ In America
Christian

Being black in America has always been a unique balancing act of epic proportions; but in recent years the level of the task has gone from highest-video game-difficulty-setting hard to requiring divine intervention. In light of recent events here are some (but not all, because the list is constantly changing) of the things you can do while being black in America: scoring touchdowns/baskets etc., rapping about violence, objectification of women and the like, be a cocky and arrogant mofo, supporting a blatantly racist unintelligent bigot (there are more adjectives but I would be writing until Obama was sworn in for his third consecutive term) and you can be silent. On the flip side the list of things you cannot do, and forgive me I can't name the entire list for you would be reading for an extensive amount of time because it is in a constant state of flux: being the President, failing to use a turn signal, SILENTLY protesting a song that has an uncommonly-known 3rd verse with appalling language and application, asking for help, exercising the 2nd amendment right to bear arms, selling cigarettes/CDs, being large in stature just to name a few. It is freighting what actions, or "misactions" in the eyes of certain individuals can have your life unnecessarily ended at a moment's notice for no valid reason.

A common counter argument that comes up when discussing these matters have included: "But he/she has a criminal record," "the officer(s) feared for their lives," (after the incident has occurred) "the individual has a checkered past" blah blah blah. Despite personal feelings on the matter, criminals don't deserve immediate execution. This country is built on a system of checks and balances and the system remembers that there are checks and balances as long as he melanin levels in the "criminal" are low.

Another popular pair of arguments is that people are blowing things out of proportion and the media is twisting the portrayal of the incidents to rile up black folk. I believe that's pure hokum and an attempt to get out of the real discussion: there are people, typically Caucasian, who are in positions of power and fear black people for no valid reason. How can we get to this conclusion, he asked rhetorically; there are several incidents were the criminal committed a less or more heinous act: consider the last traffic stop that resulted in the death of a white man/woman...*crickets*, shooting up a movie theater, shooting up a church, setting off two bombs exchanging gun fire with the police; and said individual was arrested peacefully or the were shot to be disarmed/disabled and taken in to police custody.

It's a sad fact to say but racism is still alive today. Now you and your family and your particular sect of friends might not be racist but that doesn't dispute its existence. Another disparaging fact is it is difficult to be black in America right now. I don't have the solution to fix it, I'll be honest; the reason being that the solution needs to overcome hundreds of years of Slavery, 100 or so years of overt racism, and on-going covert racism (some of which people don't even know they display) practically overnight and that my readers is about as difficult as predicting if the next leap is the leap home.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

179825
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

6912
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

452269
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23188
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments