http://kevin-blackistone.fanhouse.com/2010/01/06/as-vanity-fair-cashes-in-tigers-image-crawls-into-the-gutter/?ncid=webmaildl1My grandmother told me, "Brian, you are going to be something...just keep in mind that you will always be a Ni**er to them. No matter what you accomplish."
I loved my grandmother. She was so honest, and so right. Her statement by no means made me feel inferior. It has helped me navigate through the mess America has made and continues to make. She gave me this advice out of love. So, I would not be hurt. She told her sons the same thing before they left for Vietnam. Guess what? She was right then too. Raymond and Jerry came back Ni**ers who fought in a war for America. Following American military orders to kill innocent men, women, and children while in a foreign land. Their payment was to be reminded that they were 'less than' - "Whites Only. No Ni**ers allowed."
Tiger is at home now. He just like every black man walking around on American soil. He shaped his recent image (chronic philanderer) - but one thing he did not do during his development was associate himself with anything/anybody that could connect him to what? A Ni**er.
Now, he one...even after winning at THEIR game. I ain't surprised at all.
Grandma was right!
BTW, what black man would let himself be pictured that way - and not know it was to demean him and all other black men? You guessed right. One who trusted the system of America. Tiger believed in the system because he has never faced it as a what? Black man...
Brian E. Payne sharing.
12 comments:
Reader Response:
Perhaps I am living in fantasy-ville, but I don't think the vast majority of whites consider blacks as N-- Even my family, conservative evangelicals, would never and have never used or referred to the word. Yes, there will always be those who can't get past it, especially here in the South, but remember that whites voted for Obama.
-DL
Muata responds to DL:
I do not mean to imply the majority. What I will say is that many white folk harbor feelings that are not in line with what they display. For example, the female photographer who took the photos of Tiger more than likely had no idea the implications. The feelings it would generate. This lack of understanding is what I am pushing. It is an ingrained thought process that may not be of any fault of the white person. We all see color. Unfortunately, black is not a welcoming/liked color. The connotations associated with black are not good.
White people are conditioned to believe that they are better than blacks. It may not be intentional in most cases. Our society/systems has fostered this thought process e.g. education, religion, and media. Just watch television. Notice the continued emphasis on "White is Right". White people who do not consider blacks no-counts (Ni**ers) have consciously programmed themselves to not think of the negative when it comes to black people. It actually takes effort. Just like it takes effort for many black people to not think the negative of white people. If black people have to 'de-program' from what they witness daily e.g. our history in America, racism, and discrimination - what makes any of us think that white people do nt have to be 'de-programmed?
Millions of whites voted for President Barack Obama. I wonder if he would have received that many white votes if he was my complexion? I doubt it, David. Obama is safe. He does not intimidated via his skin color. I do. Every person of dark skin around the world have to face this daily subconsciously and unconsciously.
Malcolm X said, "America's number one problem today is race. It will be once I am long gone. It will not be appropriately addressed because the minds of blacks and whites will be difficult to release the race impressions that we have created."
So, Tiger is now what he tried so hard not to be: BLACK. His first mistake...
-Muata
Reader Response:
I agree 100%.....and the cover of the magazine validated how the black man has & is viewed, less than human…strong, virile,animal like…I wonder if he thought of this when doing the shoot……”oh, I guess not, because he doesn’t consider himself black”……hmm wonder what he thinks now.
-TB
Reader Response:
Brian have you ever read the book “Black Sexual Politics” by Patricia Hill Collins?…it speaks on this very thing, good book…I did my Senior paper on this topic.
-BT
Reader Response:
So although I do agree with most of what you have said, I will point out that the photographer, Anne Liebovitz, is the same one that took all of the provocotive pics of Miley Cyrus in bed last year that caused an outroar. That provocotive stuff sells despite color. And I have to admit, I thought the photo was pretty hot, despite his past behavior. His behavior has only been offensive because he did try to sell a different image, and made millions of dollars with his hypocrisy. And that, I'm afraid, is not a racial thing.
But your point that Tiger has had difficulty with accepting/claiming/whatever of his racial root is well taken. But, I am also going to offer that it's a difficult line to ride being bi-racial. One of my dear friends here is bi-racial, and her point of having the "double rejection" has made me realize that this is a minority status that has gotten very little attention and is highly unaccepted in most socieites. Yes, maybe Obama was accepted more easily by whites because of his lighter complexion, but it has also made him a target from both sides, not being "black" enough, and not being "white" enough.
If anything, I hope we can take Tiger's recent behavior and shame us into no longer paying $ to worshipping false idols/images (He is the best golfer in the world, bar none, why can't we just honor him for that?) but also to explore our conflicts as humans with addressing bi-racial issues..
-SN
Muata responds to SN:
I am familiar with Liebovitz. She knows how to make a dollar. Well, that is not so difficult when your 'takers' are Americans who live for the rise and fall of celebrities.
Just the other day I noticed a ticker on line. It was a link that will register you to receive articles about and photos of celebrities when trouble occurs. Wow! We so consumed with the lives of people who do not care if we watch their movies or purchase their cd's. The American people are idiots for someone else's life, and we have exported our 'worshipping' of stars to the developing world. Leaving them to be just like us: Pathetic.
Tiger NEVER said to anyone I am an all American wholesome guy. Never. He never went around talking about morals and values. He never stood in a pulpit telling people to 'get right or else'. Never. He is responsible for cheating on his wife. Embarrassing her. Destroying his family. He has to deal with that. He is also a pseudo victim of what the American public does: Build you up. Create one's image. In this case, just by him keeping his mouth closed, taking a few pictures with his wife, kids, and dog he now some kinda Mr. Moral. His hypocrisy is a part of his bad decisions. The hypocrite was made by those who cannot get pass he just like them: human...with a sad case of Americanism.
"Double Rejection"
I cannot speak for your friend';s experience - but most blacks welcome bi-racial folk in as BLACK. No shunning from black people because of the little bit of whiteness. Heck, we still love OJ and all the other black men who told blacks to kiss their azz. Black people in most situations remain loyal when the celebrity leaves the black fold. We welcome them back when white America shyts on them.
Tiger did what he did...okay. It was horrible (most men cheat in some form - believe that) - now, it is time to move on. What about the United States government STILL unable to work together on the terrorism prevention front. Capitol Hill is full of idiots!!
-Muata
Reader SN responds to Muata:
Okay, so maybe Tiger didn't "sell" squeeky clean, maybe that's just what American wanted to buy. He did, however, claim being black on several occassions, especially way back when he talked about the segregation in golf clubs. Remember green goes with black quote? And golf is a sport for white men dressed like black pimps? I guess I'm just disgusted with what we prioritize as 'news' nowadays, and I personally don't give a crap about who Tiger has screwed/not screwed, but don't tell me how I should live my life or claim to be a role model OFF the course. Which, I hate to tell you, Tiger has claimed. “I think it's an honor to be a role model to one person or maybe more than that. If you are given a chance to be a role model, I think you should always take it because you can influence a person's life in a positive light, and that's what I want to do. That's what it's all about.”
But I think we agree about most of that, so I'll leave that be.
As far as black people embracing Bi-racial folk, however, I'm gonna have to disagree. Do you know the most unadoptable kids out there? Bi-racial. Not black, not Latino, but mixed. Sad. I still think it's an all or nothing deal. Just like you said, you see biracial people as BLACK, when in fact they are WHITE too. In order for Obama to be accepted as black, the black community wants him to deny all of his white heritage, and whenever he does show his "white side" he is ripped apart. Sorry Payne, but this creates a lot of conflict for bi-racial people, and while there are some that can go ahead and choose to live as "all black" there are still many, especially those like my friend and Obama that were raised by their white parent, that don't want to deny that part of who they are. Unfortunately, as a result, they have no 'home.' I get what you are saying that you will welcome them back after us white folk shytz on them, but what if they want to feel at home in both worlds, then what? You are forcing them to "choose sides," which I think is a hard road.
Just saw Invictus, great movie in many ways about racial issues, but Nelson Mandela truly is my hero. He believes in a "home for all," and yes that may be idealistic, but I'm still gonna drink that juice....
-SN
Reader Response:
Well stated Brian.
-J
Reader Response:
Sad but true......he drank from the cup of white american lies now he's chokin on the hype.
-KH
Reader Response:
You know, this is a very interesting. I wonder what a discussion would be like with every race and gender involved. This is such a complex issue that all groups would have some interesting input. You have race, religion, gender, money, corporate expectations, community, sex, tv, relationship, and class realities all rolled up into one. Since he is such an international figure I wonder what people around the world have to say and as we move to a more fluid society in terms of each of those areas, what are the new rules or old rules that apply...
hmmm...
-AJ
Muata responds to AJ:
I have worked in numerous countries, and I tried to assess the societal pulse in each country when I was there. Along the lines of what this Tiger drama has generated, I am fully confident that many of the people in these countries can care less about what has been presented here in ridiculous America.
-Muata
PM responds to AJ and Muata:
Nothing complex about this. Humans are the only species that make a "moral and judicial" attempt to substain monogamy. The average man desires sex from multiple women like the average woman desires shoes from multiple stores................................ Other countries have more productive things on their mind than America's outright exploitation and hypocrisy.
-PM
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