I am discovering with the election of the first black president that black people are not playing by the Rules of Fairness. This behavior has been justified as; 'it' (mistreatment/racism/discrimination) is/was done to us so - why should we be fair? Well, this behavior is now worn boastfully on the sleeves of Black Americans.Some believe America’s system has been unfair to black people. I understand that rational. I agree with it in many ways. Many!
http://www.rosenblumtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/slavery-in-america.jpg http://revivingrights.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/police-brutality-small.jpg http://brotherpeacemaker.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/sean-bell-protest.jpg http://www.thetalentshow.org/images/katrina_flood_32.jpg
Inconsequently, it should not be used as a justification to initiate an injustice.
The recent Sprite Step Show saga (White Sorority Shares Step Show Prize After Internet Stir) ... is bigger than what's on the surface and/or bigger than what some black people have regulated to: Minutia.
(Check out the white girl’s performance that initially won them the prize until the “stir”):
http://muatatruthtelling.blogspot.com/2010/02/white-sorority-rocked-it.html
It would be an ALARMING story of racism if the tables were turned.
Black people should not under any circumstances use pathetic tendencies (unrighteous retribution) to support hypocrisy. This is the hypocrisy that I am frustrated with to the utmost… because well-meaning black people fought tirelessly to eradicate injustice. We still are in many ways - but then we (too many black people) are silent when innocent white girls are treated unjustly. Ain't right - and I will not be silent while blacks are collectively silent. Nope not me! I will always call them/us out...as I do white people who live in their racism - and I have always challenged the government of the United States when/if policies/legislation is bias.
In this case blacks are using their ‘affects’ of white racism to justify their racism. Is that righteousness? Is it what Martin wanted? Is it what Malcolm ultimately wanted in his last days? Is it what Mandela wants?
Black folk are not holding up the Banner of Justice on this one. So, it is bigger than who won. Who lost. Who gotta share the prize. This is a matter of principle where black people are not Sounding the Alarm.
An alarm that should have been pulled when President Obama was un-presidential while in a communicative back-and-forth with John McCain at the Health Care Summit (political theater http://muatatruthtelling.blogspot.com/2010/02/theater-at-its-best.html).
Obama vs. McCain, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MTWLfqREus
If the president was George W. Bush or some other white man and McCain was a black congressman (during this exchange) black people would be pissed by the level of disrespect President Obama displayed when addressing Senator John McCain e.g. countless interruptions and the arrogant reminder that the "campaign is over".
Written by Brian E. Payne. Inspired by Black Hypocrisy at its BEST!
http://muatatruthtelling.blogspot.com/2010/02/white-sorority-rocked-it.html
It would be an ALARMING story of racism if the tables were turned.
Black people should not under any circumstances use pathetic tendencies (unrighteous retribution) to support hypocrisy. This is the hypocrisy that I am frustrated with to the utmost… because well-meaning black people fought tirelessly to eradicate injustice. We still are in many ways - but then we (too many black people) are silent when innocent white girls are treated unjustly. Ain't right - and I will not be silent while blacks are collectively silent. Nope not me! I will always call them/us out...as I do white people who live in their racism - and I have always challenged the government of the United States when/if policies/legislation is bias.
In this case blacks are using their ‘affects’ of white racism to justify their racism. Is that righteousness? Is it what Martin wanted? Is it what Malcolm ultimately wanted in his last days? Is it what Mandela wants?
Black folk are not holding up the Banner of Justice on this one. So, it is bigger than who won. Who lost. Who gotta share the prize. This is a matter of principle where black people are not Sounding the Alarm.
An alarm that should have been pulled when President Obama was un-presidential while in a communicative back-and-forth with John McCain at the Health Care Summit (political theater http://muatatruthtelling.blogspot.com/2010/02/theater-at-its-best.html).
Obama vs. McCain, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MTWLfqREus
If the president was George W. Bush or some other white man and McCain was a black congressman (during this exchange) black people would be pissed by the level of disrespect President Obama displayed when addressing Senator John McCain e.g. countless interruptions and the arrogant reminder that the "campaign is over".
Written by Brian E. Payne. Inspired by Black Hypocrisy at its BEST!
9 comments:
Reader Response:
Wow! This sucks. These girls were good. They were creative and innovative. They deserved to win and not share the title. They rocked and I wonder how the AKA's feel by being considered as an afterthought—because I am sure that there was nothing wrong with the scoring. I wonder if they feel embarrassed.
-LS
Response from someone white after I asked:
"What do you think of this elevated hypocrisy that appears to be a pervasive defense mechanism within the black ranks?"
Because, Mr. Payne, we're all too nervous about setting off a tinderbox or being un-PC to talk frankly about reverse racism. But you are ABSOLUTELY right and ALARMED is the perfect word to sum it all up (as you did in your blog). If some black people have a chip on their shoulder, a lot of white people have a guilt complex and between the two it makes it hard to have any sort of constructive public debate or even agree to a fair outcome (in the case of the step girls).
Instead, we as a people snivel and pander to make sure everyone is happy and everything is equal (though often we fail) because the alternative (we fear) is that a white person winning will occasion a black person calling out racism. And yet when blacks sweep the Oscars, we ALL feel good: It's historic! They are brilliant actors! They rocked their roles! But also there's an underlying sense (probably a little patronizing) that phew! now we don't have to feel so guilty.
The problem from all perspectives is that people should get what they deserve, and because of racism (both ways) often they don't. In this case, to reward the black dancers for their good-but-less-good performance doesn't help them at all. For one, it makes the white troupe look like victims. It makes the black girls--who put on a great performance--look bad. I admit, with all the hype, I expected the black troupe to be less inspiring. (Which I thought they were--but how much of that was my expectation based on the hoopla over the prize?) More importantly in the long run, though: the lesson those talented black girls have learned is that they can win without being the best. That breeds complacency; it dilutes drive--for anyone. They lose their hunger to try harder, to think outside the box, be creative, excel.
I think as human beings, we are often at our best when faced with a challenge: look at all the art and writing and music that have come out of war and hardship! It is that very hunger to survive, or to accomplish, or to win that makes us go beyond ourselves. And this is why in so many situations, calling racism doesn't get us anywhere. Why can't we just celebrate achievement where it is due, instead of making a big stinking mess of it all?
That's why what you do with your blog is so very awesome BPayne--because we're all daintily prancing around on the eggshells, afraid to offend anyone, and you're just stompin' on through. Praise the lord!
-SE
Muata responds to SE:
You are RIGHT on!
Wish more white folk spoke-up on this subject...
-Muata
Reader Response:
I'm really am impressed, and proud, that you are feeling the urge to tackle this injustice. I Loved that scene in Invictus where Mandela speaks to the Rugby board, and it feels like you're speaking along the same vein.
Unfortunately, as I white person I can't really take on black hypocrisy. Whatever I say doesn't hold much weight (understandably) and its your voice that will hold more power. I agree with most of what you are arguing, but I ain't going to do that with a black audience and perpetuate more resentment. Sorry my friend!
You keep up the fight though, Mandela would be proud! :)
-SN
Muata responds to SN:
In all due respect, you are one of the white folk a part of the problem. Silence is deadly. Thanks for continuing with the DEATH.
-Muata
SN Responds to Muata:
Now hold on nah!
Have you ever known me to be silent? You don't think I would call you out on your hypocrisy, and have? And do you remember how well that went down when you were younger? :) And I will support you as you do it my friend, as I have, but I will only call out those black folk that I have a relationship with, and whom know that I'm not just another white person that is trying to justify my own racism. That's a reality that I have to respect.
I'm working on my white brothers and sisters, and like I said, it does make things more difficult because they see stories like the step competition and they look at me and say, "SEE!" Those black folk hate us so why should we play nice with them? It's a vicious cycle.
One thing I'm going to let you in on about white people Payne, especially white men. They are deeply insecure in many ways, and they want to be accepted. Part of the reason that they explore (and then ridicule) black culture is that they are also fascinated by it. And there is a part of them that is intimidated by it as well, and feel like they couldn't be a part of it. When black people make it more protected, and make white people more like "outsiders," (and want to, ah um, segregate) you trigger that insecurity in white people...and they react. The best defense is a quick offense. The white men that I know that have been able to challenge their racism? The ones that have felt 'embraced' by black people, and therefore felt 'accepted.' And I'm not going to lie, did my own experience of being embraced by Antiguans and accepted by them help challenge some of my own racist beliefs? Absolutely. This is why Mandela was such a powerful and effective leader, as was MLK He knew when attack and protest injustice, but also knew when to embrace....
SO, you keep on speaking your truth Payne, and I will cheer you on with a full heart. You embrace and accept those white folk, and in your own way you are changing the world. :)
-SN
Muata responds to SN:
We need more white people like yourself to speak on this black hypocrisy crap in public forum. Not just with your friends. Rush Limbagh does it - but he has lost a listening ear because of his racist rants/beliefs. Black people need to be reminded by all walks of life that they are not holding up the Banner of Justice...that their ancestors fought for us to have. Nope, we in turn acting like mutes. Speak ya mind, Nanna! I need some white folk on my side! LOL!
-Muata
SN responds to Muata:
Did you ever think that you would be trying to convince me to speak out loud against black hypocrisy/racism? Lordy be... how things change, and I love it! :)
I guess my fear is that speaking out to those that I don't have a relationship with would lead to me being associated with the likes of Limbaugh (YUCK! Can you imagine!) but I will take your words into consideration. You keep on waving that banner my friend, and embracing us white folk! LOL! Love at ya my friend...glad you and I have stuck it out....
-SN
Reader Response:
Well, here I disagree. I saw enough of the summit to say that Obama was trying to keep thing orderly in the sense that he was trying to keep talking points to a minimum. There is no way to completely do it, but he was trying.
Truth be told, when I originally saw that portion, the thought that one of them was Black and the other white never even entered my mind.
-F
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