African American
Related: About this forumI found a quote online today ...
It was on a completely different topic; but I find it, particularly and directly related to one of my other observations:
As I have said before: our helping you accomplish your ends, still leaves us wanting. And history gives us plenty of reason to believe that once we help you accomplish your ends, you will jettison us ... as the status quo, with respect to race/gender/sexual orientation relationships, hasn't changed ... we just have a different white guy to deal with.
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)Until 1860 she (the South) had as her pet an institution which it was death by law to say anything about, except that it was divinely instituted, inaugurated by Noah, sanctioned by Abraham, approved by Paul, and just ideally perfect in every way. And when, to preserve the autonomy of the family arrangements, in 61, 62, and 63, it became necessary for the big brother to administer a little wholesome correction and set the obstreperous Miss vigorously down in her seat again, she assumed such an air of injured innocence, and melted away so lugubriously, the big brother has done nothing since but try to sweeten and pacify and laugh her back into a companionable frame of mind.
For more than a century, the fate of African-Americans has been the pawn in a dysfunctional national family drama played out by whites on the liberal left and whites on the right.
Yes, whites on the liberal left helped elect Barack Obama. And black and brown folk have now endured six years of a straight-up, all out, go-for-broke temper tantrum on the right. Seeing themselves as the paragons of reason, liberal white folks have largely stood idly by reasoning with their brethren and sistren on the right to play nice, even though it is so clear that the right is not interested in a clean game.
Your post last week regarding the experience with your daughter's friend and her questions about racism brought out some of these calls for "reason" from white posters, as manifested in the rejection of the notion that "racism" and "bigotry" represent different cultural phenomena. On that score, this article resonated: racism is a political football being kicked back and forth by white liberals and white conservatives, and ideas that violate the accepted paradigm are denounced. We like to fight about racism, but do we like to fight against racism (rather than just racist individuals)?
More to the point, the demand to be reasonable is a disingenuous demand. Black folks have been reasoning with white people forever. Racism is unreasonable, and that means reason has limited currency in the fight against it. Black folks understand, just like white folks do, that reason should be wielded as a tactic, not adhered to as a rule.
I'm not familiar with Brittney Cooper's larger body of work, but I thought she had some good things to say in this article.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)But despite our disagreement on a number of issues ... You seem to get exactly what I have been trying to point out.
I welcome our alliance, as it makes DU stronger and broader in relevance.
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)You've been posting some thought-provoking stuff, which is somewhat rare on the Internet these days.
Meaningful discussion is always welcome. Cheers!
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)But I must admit that I am in violation of a personal policy/(8 time) New Year's Resolution ... to NEVER discuss racism/racial stuff with white folks ... as very little good ever comes of it.
But you give me hope. Thanks.
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)jaysunb
(11,856 posts)Plain and simple words that are impossible to nuance.
Thank you for posting and the writer for laying it out.
sheshe2
(83,758 posts)that people of Color and women diverge after the income inequality issue, to an extent you are right.
The trial of People of Color is far greater than any in our history. That history will forever haunt us. That is a fact. Yet women too are treated as second class citizens. We also have been beaten into submission and yes it continues as does yours. A fight for women is for all women no matter their skin color. I believe that we will fight this together.
I don't want to believe that in the end any one group would abandon another after one succeeds. I don't believe the fight will ever really end, not for any of us. Yet together we are stronger and together we can change.
I don't want to believe that you would be jettisoned once it is a fait accompli. Together we are better and stronger. That is what this President has been trying to tell us. We need to do this together.
I know I bungled what I was trying to say....yet I feel that if one person or one group of people are shamed, humiliated or treated with bigotry and hate, then we all are.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)I meant the interests of that people of Color and women diverge from white males after the income inequality issue.
But, I will admit that unless we (people of Color and women) work together to fight racism AND misogyny/patriarchy, simultaneously; rather than, attempting to fight them sequential, with one being placed before the other (as the Class folks have asked), we will face similar schisms and in-fighting.
sheshe2
(83,758 posts)It is the only way we will step forward. And we can never ever let our guard down, we need to take each others backs. I am in, all in.
Thanks!
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)I've been ALL IN (and knocking Lawn Jockeys off porches) since 1979.
sheshe2
(83,758 posts)My landlord has two lawn jockeys....
I haven't knocked them over, yet my car has these on the back window!!!!!
Obama Biden 2008
Obama Biden 2012
Obamacare Signed Sealed and Delivering~
Together!
Thanks 1SBM
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)I'll share my "Lawn Jockey" story ... it involved a Lawn Jockey, a fraternity house, a near riot (and 6 consecutive weekends in the Butler county jail).
sheshe2
(83,758 posts)Weekends at Butler County jail, oh my!
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)I was a college student and was able to convince the judge that my act of vandalism, should not deprive me of higher education.
sheshe2
(83,758 posts)Good for you!
heaven05
(18,124 posts)still here and growing in knowledge and trying to teach that knowledge. Thank you for your knowledge.
randys1
(16,286 posts)I dont know how politically correct this is to say, but I look forward to the day when everybody is Brown to one degree or another as people ignore color barriers and continue to create a new society of all people...
Does that make sense?
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)But the initial quote would still apply!
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Last edited Fri May 9, 2014, 12:53 PM - Edit history (1)
confirms this. They really belive we should accept "trickle down" equality. No.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)that made me laugh; but sadly, it is accurate.
Reminds me if a Teddy Pendergrass Concert I attended many years ago ... Teddy launched into Do Me, much to the delight of the females in the audience.
One woman is the front(ish) row yelled, "Do me, Teddy ... Do me!" Teddy responded, "No, you do me, thennnn I'll do you."
And that reminds me of the old "68" joke, where you do me and I'll owe you one.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)and you are welcome to steal it. Glad to give you a laugh, SBM!