A few weeks back I went out for sushi with an old friend. While taking advantage of the 99 cent saki bombs, he decided to be generous and buy one for the stranger sitting next to us. After we toasted the man thanked my friend for the drink and asked what we were having. My friend told him since he's a regular and the chef experiments and makes him "surprises". I told him I wasn't a sushi fan and was opting for chicken instead. The man shook his head disapprovingly and said, "Well, that's what you people do. You're always eating chicken and watermelon". Wanting desperately to avoid assault charges and a trip to the county jail, we instead opted for open mouths indicating shock and mild chiding. Somehow I just couldn't see this one dummy being worth the trouble and high cost of legal fees (particularly without the privilege of being able to call the late, great Johnny Cocoran for back up).
After calming down, the incident made me think about all this crazy talk about a "post racial America". I looked it up on Google Maps, Mapquest, and even the foremost authority on all things; Wikipedia, but could find no information on the coordinates of this magical land. It seems just as elusive and mythological as the unicorn we all wished we could see as children. It is beyond naive for anyone to suddenly think the nomination of a half black president in these United States is the cure all for the institution of racism that has ailed us since the founding of this nation. Crosses haven't stopped burning, cops haven't stopped pulling over young black men who appear too smart, too hood, too affluent, or too confident as a way to satisfy their weekly "harass a nigga" quotas, and the housing, banking, and lending industries have not suddenly become level playing fields for blacks and other people of color. So, what exactly is this "post racial" utopia of which everyone has been speaking? If anything, the nomination of Barack Obama has only served to strengthen the resolve of those who would destroy black Americans if only given the chance.
Post election I've had more discussions on race with negative end results than ever before. I have found myself the brunt of blunt racial discrimination more often. My work place has become more racially charged and I am constantly being asked questions about the actions of the President in a ridiculous exercise in tokenism. And despite my anger at it being assumed I am some type of "Obamist" with all the answers on Barack and every other black person in the public eye, I still feel the need to speak up in the most dire situations because I feel we are often so misrepresented in every public arena.
The more I take the time to look around me, the more I am convinced of the impending arrival of a race war of epic proportions. Racists are mad as hell the President of "their" great nation is one of my fellow fried chicken and watermelon eating darkies and they aren't going to stand for it for too long. Words like "socialist" and "liberal" and phrases like, "I want my country back" are not pleas for peace in America, folks. These are covert attempts at describing the despair, disgust, and helplessness racists feel at the hands of a black world leader. These people won't just go around protesting and holding their misspelled signs for long. At some point more aggressive action will be taken and all Americans of color need to be prepared. This isn't something that can be fixed with a bomb shelter and a two year supply of Chef Boyardee. This is psychological warfare than can only be battled with the weapon of intellect. So, black folks, wake up. We are nowhere near a post racial America. We are nowhere near a country in which we can coexist peacefully and respectfully or hold hands and sing. And though this truth is ugly, it is real. We must put down the watermelon, turn off the deep fryer, and prepare for mental fisticuffs because this thing is not going away any time soon.
2 comments:
Interesting and well written post.
My perspective is that we are all being washed down. Those of a certain income standing that is.
Race is still an issue in many arenas in life but I find that being thrown under the bus is applying to every group. Even some of the uber rich. And then there is the ever insistent "idea" that we must all fight against each other based on race. Who decided that for us.
I like to think that any president could/ would have everyone's best interest at heart, but truth be told, I never know what the politicians are really up to, and who is the ultimate target of their segregation. In segregation, I mean poor, poverty stricken, and just straight starving. I have to say I am afraid, but not afraid to battle, just try to hope that things will not turn sour, an to remember that many of us are on the same team, and keep in mind what we need to accomplish together to figure this mess out!!! I hope that race isn't an obstacle on an already complicated course. I am seeing this is a big mess for everyone, and then the sub messes are just losing us in themselves. Stay focused, and do the right thing, that is my plan of events, and hope for the things going on everywhere. I don't know what is going on, but def feel things pinching inward. Unity is my answer. Stick together and not separate ourselves from each other. Relate, communicate, and trust. I def hear you, and I see, and don't have answers, other than stick together...all income levels, all races, all cultural backgrounds. We have to make the change that needs to be made. There is my soapbox. LOL
I hope it is written well enough to have my point understood, and not misunderstood.
I love your blog. I didn't know you had one. I thought you merely entertained on FB.
Tif - I completely agree with you that racism is not the only "ism" one is up against. Economic discrimination is probably more rampant than racism and most of our existence is embroiled in a battle of the haves versus the have nots. It's unfortunate, to say the least. However, I feel acknowledgement of the issues is at least the first step in the right direction. - Malikka
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