This summer in the United States, the politicians in Washington are going to be debating legislation concerning immigration reform. This is a huge issue because nearly everyone agrees that the status quo just isn't working for anyone. The entire argument inevitably devolves into an "us versus them" mentality when emotions are high. Whenever reason is not the founding principle of a debate and emotions rule, it can get ugly. People call each other racist names. "The N Word: Who Can Say It, Who Shouldnt, and Why" by Washington Post op-ed columnist, Jabari Asim, takes on this issue in a straightforward way.
While the Martin Luther King "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington D.C. is the moment most carved into American history as the memorable point in the civil rights movement for black americans, ask any person of color if racism still exists and they'll say, "Yes." Clearly, Tavis Smiley believes there is still much to do improve the state of the black union.
Having lived in metro Detroit for the majority of my life thus far, I agree much work really needs to be done. Eminem's 8 Mile movie depicts his story, but 8 Mile really is an historical and racist dividing line there. There are many cities in the country where whites live in one area and non-whites live in another. Racism is the root cause of so many ills in the United States and around the world.
At the same time, the week-long Don Imus "nappy-headed ho" comment controversy -- when compared to the decades-long Israeli-Arab conflict -- makes me feel that America is not exactly lost just because we can sometimes act like most other humans on the planet, self-segregate or say hurtful things to each other.
Another metro Detroit homey, Frank Wu, has written an outstanding book on race and racism entitled, "Yellow: Beyond Black and White in America." Check out this interview. He's one guy who pursued a law degree with whom I can actually respect. I watched him on BookTV one weekend. (And Frank, if you've Googled yourself and are reading this, I helped build the expansion of the Canton library and played frisbee golf after work in the Metropark nearby.) Last time I checked, he was teaching at Howard University. He's an amazing person to learn from, but he seems to also have a sense of humor.
Frank Wu starts his book, "Yellow," with this timeless chapter one quote:
The problem with the twentieth-century is the problem of the color-line -- the relation of the darker to the lighter races of men in Asia and Africa, in America and in the islands of the sea. W.E.B. Dubois
I like Frank's take on racism. He not only points out the racism present between ethnic groups, but also among them. Asian people have certainly killed each other in significant numbers in history to make Chinese people be irritated at the Japanese.
Similarly, Europeans have had historical hatreds, too. While blacks and asians might think that Germans and English are just two sides of the same white coin, I certainly remember historical hatreds there among the average, everyday person stemming from WWII. Unfortunately for me, I'm both German and English, ethnically. I have plenty of self-loathing to go around for anyone who needs some.
Frank Wu describes growing up as the only Asian kid in a white suburb: "I remember when I was Johnny Sokko."
Sometimes, I think some humor can teach us more in several minutes than years of academic study can. Not always -- humor is subjective. However I may take racism seriously and study it, this video made me lighten up and laugh a little. I hope it works for you too.
I will never understand why color has been an 'acceptable' form of discrimination.
It's one of the only differences that people 'can' openly being prejudice about...
Every week I take Sadie to Easter Seals for therapy and we see lots anf lots of people who are 'different' not by color and I wonder why we are such a mean society to make fun of someone... and then how that difference can turn into hate... it's very sad.
While there are not (hopefully) people who are out there ganging up on the disabled..there ARE people ganging up on others because of their color... I dont get it.
To me a difference is a difference and they should all be embraced.
Of course, I even catch myself myself saying things like "And he was so nice, who would have guessed he had a cap on that said 'pimp' and he had dreadlocks down to his butt."
I mean, seriously... I make myself sick sometimes!
Mervin Malone Jr. June 1, 2007 09:45 AM PDT Interesting post, John. The title alone is.....DYNAMITE, lol. I feel that we need to have an honest discussion on race in this country. People say they want this all the time, but....there are even barriers in these so-called "discussions". I really hate that the Church guides so much of it. A special that CNN ran back in November showed just how delusional church-goers of ALL races tend to be on the subject of race and racism. I'll chat with you about that soon....
Daveman June 1, 2007 11:04 AM PDT N-Word for the White Guy was a funny but educational vid. I was quite happy (and surprised) that they concluded "No one should use the n-word".
Alas - black comedians (the well known ones) insist on using it, defend using it and openly dare white people to use it. That double standard just don't fly. If its okay for black people to use it - then by fare use - white people - Hispanics or anyone else should be able to use it.
If its wrong for white folks to say it - then it should be wrong for black folks to use it. This is an ongoing argument I have - and I'm called racist because of it. LOL. Crazy stuff.
Deirdre June 1, 2007 05:07 PM PDT Everyone just needs a good hug. Dat's all.
J f Z June 2, 2007 07:49 AM PDT D: I'll take one! Thanks!
Daveman: I'm a free speech advocate. So, there's a difference between what I consider legal/lawful and what I consider "socially acceptable." I think context is an obvious factor whether or not any specific word is offensive. Since the word "nigger" has always been a denegrating racial slur, I tend to agree with you that no one should be using it in polite conversation unless they are intending to offend someone.
Mervin: Yeah, sometimes it's good not to get too creative, or dance around a subject, when I did just want to get to a point. Hopefully, being blunt may spark some thinking and discussion.
Raejane: You might like to google "Frank Wu" and read some of his articles. There is a famous Frank Wu that is an animator, or something, so maybe add "race" or "law" to that search.
The reason I suggest that is because he really like to learn himself. He's obvious unusual as an Asian professor at Howard. But another thing ... he works with Gallaudet college for the deaf.
