We want Obama to mean something specific, either to us or to others, with little regard for how he actually sees himself. As it stands, Arenas seems ill-prepared to talk about how biraciality operates in the African-American context. The black community in America has always accepted people of varying shades, cultures and backgrounds. Originally, this was a consequence of racial oppression; racist laws that determined that anyone with black ancestry was black. We may not have chosen to be a hybrid people, anymore than we chose to come here in the first place, but that's what we are now. And it's a beautiful thing.
And that's ALL I'm trying to say.
(Thanks Adam at American Prospect and JJP who put me on game)
Anyone hear about Donofrio v. Wells? I guess the problem isn't that he's a Muslim or a terrorist anymore. The problem is he's British.
::sigh::
Can't WAIT until January 20th.
2 comments:
Ummm okay so call me cynical but i feel like someone should have checked the author for at leas ONE sweeping general statement in there....
Since when has the black community ALWAYS been accepting of people of varying shades and cultures? Which black community are we talking about?
CLEARLY not any I am familiar with.
There has always been the intraracial tension that no one want to really talk about. How our varying characteristics from hair to skin to features and cultures have often been a source of questioning. "how do i compare, where do i fit in this" Because within the WE there is the constant search for self-identity as part of that whole...and there have been many exclusionary statements within the community because of it.
the community attitudes may have been more tolerant by comparison... but its naive and incorrect to use the terms ALWAYS and ACCEPTING
okay i feel better now. just needed to get that out.
PS. I did like the article as a whole though... esspecially the closing...
"Blackness is something like love, we know something about the broad contours, but everyone's experience is different, and trying to force one's definition on another person is likely to lead to hostility."
blackness is something like love... so true, so true
Post a Comment