- "James Breeden’s 'Negro Woman'" (Know Good White People)
As I am aware of the economic, social, educational, pyschological and other benefits received by my family, I can say without reservation that the act James Breeden committed before the court on that day more than one hundred and seventy five years ago was good, but I have no idea if he was. He did, after all, own my great-great-great grandmother.
- "What White People Should Know" (Abagond)
Most whites are blind to their own racism. . . . Whites can afford to be blind to it like that, blacks cannot. That is why blacks seem so “sensitive”, why they seem to see racism that is not there (you think). You are racist. You might not think you are, but you are. America was built on racism and still runs on it. It is still an important part of how white Americans think about themselves and the world. You cannot grow up in America and escape it.
- "Why Whites Can't 'Get Over' Color" (Luke Visconti @ Diversity Inc, via Racialious, where there's a great comments thread on this topic)
Your demand that we "Get over the color!" is an expression of white privilege. It's only possible to "get over" it if you are in the majority culture. Assuming you're white, YOU can "get over the color!" but it's simply not possible for people of color to get over who they are, what that means and the damage our society has purposefully done over the centuries by color. You close with an illuminating contradiction. You can't celebrate "color and different cultures" and embrace the "melting pot" at the same time. The "melting pot" is about subjugating your culture and forcing a person to "melt" into the white culture.
- "Charter Oak Students Upset by Racial Prank" (Amanda Baumfeld @ Pasedena Star-News)
High school yearbooks celebrate achievement, mark the passing of a year, and in photos, captions and scribbled signatures, capture a time. But for the nine students of Charter Oak High School's Black Student Union, this year's book might better be left on the shelf. A yearbook staff student replaced each of their names with fake names - such as "Tay Tay Shaniqua," "Crisphy Nanos" and "Laquan White" - next to the club photo in the school's 2008 Chronicle, according to Superintendent Clint Harwick.
- "Absurd Views of Obama Drive Fears" (Lafe Tolliver @ Toledoblade.com)
Cynthia indicated that people are concerned that Sen. Barack Obama will give favored immigration status to Africans since his father was from Kenya and soon America will be flooded with dark Africans demanding special treatment. Martin wondered that if Senator Obama is elected, will he demand more holidays for black people besides the current Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. Ralph said that people are fearful that Michelle Obama will say the wrong thing when she visits foreign countries and our country will be given a bad reputation. Jennifer was worried about whether Mr. Obama will lower standards for education and allow black kids to do anything they want since they would have a black president in the White House to back them up. Audrey spoke about concerns of black people demanding that white people take a "second seat" in social affairs and protocols since Senator Obama won; they (black people) would no longer have to "take any stuff" from anyone.
- "Dogs and Mainers . . . They Really Love Their Dogs" (Blackgirlinmaine's Weblog)
[The] one area that I discovered where Mainers are different than the folks back home is with regards to their deep and abiding love for their dogs. Now to be totally stereotypical, in general it seems white folks love the dogs way more than Black folks.
- "THEM: Why I Hate Adoptive Parents,* Reason Number 872." (Resist Racism)
And where were the white parents at this event? Why, they were all sitting in a little White Cluster™ with their children of color. And then after a suitable period of time, they went home. And folks of color cleaned up and put everything away. I don’t understand the purpose of coming to community events if you are not actually interacting with the community. And when I say “interacting,” I don’t mean that you eat their food or watch them in their strange cultural rituals. I mean that you might actually attempt to develop relationships with those people. And maybe you might not treat them like your servants as you dip your toe into your cultural experience.
And finally, not because it's a white thing, but just because it's awesome--some Koreans totally kicking some Russians at a . . . black thing? (Click lower-right button to launch full screen)
(via Jeff Chang's "So You Think They Can Break-dance?")
Hey, Macon. I posted here about your blog this morning. Thanks for doing what you're doing. I love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, changeseeker, I'm honored. I like your blog too, and I'm adding you to my blog roll. Thank you in return for doing what you're doing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link. Big spike in my readership because of it.
ReplyDeleteVideo clip -- funny because people always stereotype this type of dancing with black people. One of the best dancers of this sort I ever saw was a French white girl.
ReplyDeleteGood article links as well.
macon d,
ReplyDeleteFYI: When hip hop culture was in its infancy, in the Bronx, it was [mostly] the Puerto Ricans who created and performed break dancing. That is not to say that blacks (Americans and of West Indian descent) did not break dance, it is just that break dancing was dominated by the Nuyoricans. Too often, when the history of hip hop is talked about, the influence of the brown is left out.
Yes, thank you for those informative specifics, redcatbiker. That's why I put a question mark after "black thing," though I was thinking more about Patricia Williams' memories, in The Rooster's Egg, of learning what she thought was a "black thing" in a hip-hop dance class, only to realize that a lot of the movements are also influenced by martial arts moves and poses. Also a yellow thing, as it were.
ReplyDeleteMacon D said:
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you for those informative specifics, redcatbiker. That's why I put a question mark after "black thing," though I was thinking more about Patricia Williams' memories, in The Rooster's Egg, of learning what she thought was a "black thing" in a hip-hop dance class, only to realize that a lot of the movements are also influenced by martial arts moves and poses. Also a yellow thing, as it were.
Yes, "a yellow thing", 'cause I know a lot of those guys (girls, too, for I was, still am, one) loved Bruce Lee's movies: Fists of Fury, Enter the Dragon, Chinese Connection, etc.
One more thing, Macon D, did you check out the Koreans competing against the Brasilians? Given what you mentioned about the martial arts moves, I thought that the Brasilians would have been tougher opponents for the Koreans--you know, with the Brasilian martial art of capoeira (an African-American form of martial arts), with which break dancing is its kissing cousin. The Koreans trounced the Brasilians, too.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that makes sense! I didn't catch it though (and I'm not surprised the Koreans continued their preeminent awesomeness). Don't suppose you know if it's online?
ReplyDeleteDon't suppose you know if it's online?
ReplyDeleteMacon D,
To see them competing against the Brasilians, all you need to do is watch the video link that you posted to the end, or you can slide the thingamabob indicator to the end. Once it is finished, a few more screens will pop up on the bottom; click on the Korea vs. Brasil one. Also, there are other countries whom they compete against, too.