Just a (long) thought: Had a brief but interesting conversation yesterday with someone who asked (paraphrasing) Where are the voices on this island in solidarity for the mass killings of young black men in the States? Where is the protest? It was a great question that touched off a lot of feelings. But one of the overwhelming feelings is that the system of racism that pervades throughout the African diaspora has many forms. It is interconnected. What affects Africa, the Caribbean, the African American and Afro-European experiences is fueled by racist, hegemonic systems of power. And while the African American experience is profound so are all the rest. And sadly, I rarely hear an ear that reflects the struggles of the African diaspora as much as I hear about African American experiences. My intent is not to be divisive. We are ONE people. But I worry that American experiences overshadow much of the richness and diversity of ALL the ways we are affected by the hand of racism. Currently, ALL Territorial citizens in the United States are legally considered Second Class citizens as part of the legacy of the Insular cases. A ruling that was made by the SAME court that brought us Plessy v. Ferguson!! Yet, the FIRST African AMERICAN president of the U.S., who came to these islands as a candidate seeking fundraising money and promising us full citizenship, JUST argued in FAVOR of keeping us as second class citizens. Where are the marches against that? Where are the collective outcries for that legalized legacy of institutionalized racism? Change MUST come for ALL people of color. But in pursuing our own freedoms we should be aware of ALL the ways we experience the discord of racism and its oppressive legacies. Im ready to have that FULL conversation. It is ALL connected. Separation is a myth that needs rewriting. The revolution needs revolutionizing!
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 12:13:09 +0000