Dear (Some) White People: As my salutation denotes, this is not for all of my Caucasian acquaintances. But, for those of you sharing these ridiculous posts, and spouting some of the most asinine examples to detract from the overt biases that exist within this country, this is for you. You know who you are...the ones consistently enacting your Perpetual Rights to Ignorance! Your attempts at deflecting from, and berating, the activities of fed up protesters with abject historical references, that have minimal relevance, does not change the truth in the current messages being sent. The fact remains that less than 60 years ago, America was still strategically within the throws of both public and private policy structured for the benefit of the White man, with a very deliberate subjugation of the Black man...and thats before we even begin to venture into the horrific methodology used in the absolute pillaging of the only true owners of this land, the Native Americans. Todays examples of the imbalances as evidenced by economic disparities, judicial injustices, and police brutality are merely some of the symptoms of a deeply rooted and long running terminal disease known as Institutional Racism. You can gloss over that with citations of irrelevant history all you want, and the facts still remain! You cant, based upon ethnicity alone, chain a participant to the starting line of a journey, while you progress forward for 400 years, then release the chains, and conclude theyre now free to compete equally! That just lacks intellectual honesty. To then cite but slavery ended long ago is the absolute worst reference to current civility or common humanity America can make. Please quit with the illogical excuses in attempts to justify conspicuous ethnically relevant imbalances in the distribution of resources within the United States of America! This White Mans Burden rhetoric is absolute fallacy in this country, and just insulting to the intelligence of any socially conscious Human Being! Once again we have incidents in America whose primarily catalyst for debate is injustices premised in race. The greatest quandaries surrounding these events in my opinion are (1)Why does America always seem to have differing opinions on “racially” charged incidents that seem to always split down the Majority:Minority Ethnic line?” & (2) Are Blacks and Whites educated so differently that we view these situations on absolutely opposing ends of the spectrum? Well the answers are simpler than we would like to accept: that being (1) Socialization; and (2) Yes, because of how differently we are socialized. It is my contention that America has the potential to be the greatest country on earth. However, that does not negate or excuse the “Perpetual Rights to Ignorance” as it relates to the plight of Black Americans that many White Americans continue to practice. Yes, I know this is a loaded accusation, and purposefully so. You see I’m that Black guy who says what other Blacks think but won’t say out loud because of the fear of how it might affect their status or perception by others. I don’t have that constraint, because if something is meant for me it will happen within socially conscious principles, not ethical compromise. Now on to the primary points of my commentary: I agree wholeheartedly with “freedom of speech.” However, it is best served with relativity and perspective to that on which you share your opinions. Otherwise, your words are delivered ignorantly. I have had many discussions and debates with my Caucasian friends/associates on current events, and the subject of “race” relations. Each time all parties usually walked away enlightened, and with his/her dignity intact. Therein, I’ve found that with the proper dialogue we can have better perspective and relativity to America as a whole, and actually start to do something that matters. As things stand on the holistic American forefront currently, such dialogue, nor activity doesnt appear to be taking place in the Majority controlled forums to reach the masses. The overwhelming majority of Black Americans seem to think that the currently relevant incidents were wrongly perpetrated and adjudicated. Conversely, far too many White Americans seem to think this was no big deal, and the results were justified. So, even in 2014, there is still an overwhelmingly conspicuous “White” way, and an overwhelmingly conspicuous “Black” way, that people perceive things. Again, It continues to disturb me when people weigh in on situations with absolute proper protocol to problems in which they have no relative experience or perspective. Unless you have been profiled, abused, treated unjustly, been under-educated, or under-resourced, how could you possibly tell he who has been how he should respond? This to me would be like someone who has never had cancer telling a cancer patient to not complain about the discomfort of chemotherapy (because although many others have succumbed, at least s/he may not die). Are you kidding me? We are certainly not at the common humanity mark in the United States of America. This is not even a case of semantics; but a blatant choice by some people to value their relative peace over the injustice being perpetrated against some others. Regardless of all that can and will be said about these incidents and resulting protests, the relevant respondents have two things in common: Perspective and Relativity to the people against whom these acts were perpetrated...and there are certainly non-Black protesters (including many Caucasians). So, they are deliberately choosing a path against the intrinsic norm, by empathetically taking a stance against the injustices, at the risks of their own peace. I, unfortunately have experienced racism and “racial profiling” on many occasions. So much so that it has become a part my Black Experience here in America. Each time however is no less humiliating or degrading to my humanity. On paper I am the American Dream to even the Majority/Conservative standard, until I show up in person, and my ethnicity is revealed. It’s a sad, but true state of affairs for America. But even beyond the institutional oppressive actions, many relative affluent Black men still experience the unmerited fear (i.e. the clasping of their purses, and switching sides of the street while walking) by many White women/men, along with other ignorant acts of this racialized society; just as is the experience of any tattooed, baggy jeans wearing, young Black man from the hood (i.e. Trayvonn Martin or Mike Brown). Just as Chris Rock noted in one of his stand-up performances, “even as a rich Black man, no White man would dare want to walk in our shoes.” It’s going to take a lot more than 60 years to undo, or make up for, the scars left by the oppression within 400, and the resulting attitudes produced. There are many references to studies, and statistics I could share, but I need to close this out before it becomes a book. So in closing, as just one Black Man in America who would like nothing more than a State of “Common Humanity”; I support the freedom of speech and actions being currently displayed by all regarding these incidents. However, to those without any experiential perspective, empathy, or relativity to the acts themselves, it is my opinion that you find you someone who does and listen intently. Otherwise, you are unfortunately again practicing your “Perpetual Rights to Ignorance!” Please Do Something That Matters! Sincerely, Tim Watson #BlackLivesMatter #DSTM
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 17:25:38 +0000
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