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May 11th, 2009 by Lena West
I’m out at a meeting @ the Google Mountainview , CA, campus today so I’m “phoning it in” – ok, not literally, but I am using audio for my post today.
I’m sharing a LITTLE bit about what it’s like to be Black. Thoughts. Feelings. Questions.
It gets deep.
Pop the cork to listen…(4 minutes, 10 seconds)
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Thursday, May 14th 2009 at 7:45 am |
Hi again Lena.
I do understand your position, however I would have to say there are other “differences” where systems of control and oppression exist related to things like sexual orientation, gender, religious beliefs, etc. Skin color is definitely not a stand alone discriminatory crime albeit likely the most prevelant.
I will certainly educate my children to the fact that the differences exist, the criminal result of ignorance and out right stupidity as well as the privelages afforded to some.
Little by little we can make a difference.
Kevin
Wednesday, May 13th 2009 at 4:27 pm |
@jweaks – I don’t agree that it’s a fallen world, but that’s another conversation. And, this blog is not about “everybody”, this blog is about racism.
@jim – Thank you for your kind words. “No one else is thinking of you as the Black guy in the meeting.” If only this were true. The day-to-day lives of Black people show that this could not be further from the truth.
@kevin – You’re welcome. It is my hope that you also teach your children about white privilege. It’s not only unfortunate, it’s criminal. Also, you say: “Our skin is just another item to add to the list of differences.” Yes, but it’s the only difference for which there is an institutionalized system of control and oppression, i.e. racism.
Thanks to you all for reading and commenting!
Wednesday, May 13th 2009 at 10:17 am |
Hey Lena.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on race from such a unique angle. I say unique because I believe the majority of people when thinking of racism in the normal sense of the word immediately picture a variety of overtly obvious physical hate style crimes and racial slurs from one race member to another.
Speaking for myself as an adult white male, I can say I have never really thought of it the way you described it. I went to a very diverse yet small high school and was thankfully exposed to a wide variety of cultures and races. My kids are in a daycare where they share lockers with black kids and I am thankful for that as I plan to educate them properly on equlity and what is really important about a person. So for me, when interacting with someone of a different color or race, the thoughts you personify onto others around you never cross my mind. I can however understand why and how you have reached such a level of paranoya (for lack of a better word). I do feel it is unfortunate that our society has acted in such a way as to create your daily reality.
The bottom line in my opinion is that we are all different from one another regardless of skin color. Our skin is just another item to add to the list of differences albeit a difference that you can’t hid or remove easily like a back pack.
Thanks.
Monday, May 11th 2009 at 3:24 pm |
Lena, this is cool on two fronts:
First of all, LOVE the audio blog. Interesting how much easier it is to connect with the blogger when I can hear your tone and personality coming through. Writing often leaves so much room for interpretation.
More importantly: I found the ‘irremovable backpack’ metaphor really helpful. This has been an eye-opener for me in recent conversations with Black colleagues. One told me: “I am *always* conscious of being Black… *always* aware that I am the Black guy in the meeting, the Black member of the team, the Black voice on the phone.”
We (whites) have no idea what this feels like… how heavy the backpack must sometimes be.
And because we can’t relate, I think we unfortunately respond by thinking (or even saying), “Why don’t you stop being so self-conscious? No one else is thinking of you as the Black guy in the meeting.”
Which is to deny your lifetime of experience and our own actual thoughts.
Monday, May 11th 2009 at 6:20 am |
Everybody has “backpacks” and everybody “filters.” Some rightly some wrongly. Not everything that looks wrong is and not everything that looks right is. It’s a fallen world.