You are your own individual self, but check black and just observe what happens.
I believe that there is a certain segment of society that honestly thinks that there is no prejudice in America. It is beyond them to understand people and cultures that indicate that America is anything but fair and just in opportunity and in treatment of anyone living in America. It might be thought that anyone who suggest anything different is unappreciative or hesitate to take advantage of those opportunities available to them.
I think it’s more than obvious that the cultures involved see the options and the realities
from different mindsets. I contend if white America awakened and found that they were black, they might understand in short order that doors open a little slower if at all on opportunities when you are a member of a minority culture in America. It would also become clear that social changes that have taken place in issues of civil rights and the changing of the mindsets that do things a certain way are slow in coming.
The challenges that face minorities in America are clear and understood by so many that suffer them daily. But those policies are also known by and large by the few that insist in some cases that they don’t exist. If you doubt me in what I propose, I invite those that doubt me to try this simple experiment.
Simply do this...on future applications whatever they might be, for jobs, loans, school, college entrance applications, memberships to health clubs, country clubs or whatever you might do in your everyday life, where the application form ask for your race, check black.
In a word, I’m proposing that if you are white and if you think blacks have it so good, then in this one instance alone, when you fill our your forms , submit your applications, and the like, do so as if you were black, or some other minority and just observe what happens. I’m sure there is nothing to fear, since there is no prejudice in America. The bank managers police officers, administrative staff in any and every situation will treat you like just another American. after all , white America is accepting and ingratiating of fellow Americans, right? As a matter of fact you will have an advantage, if we are to believe our conservative talk show hosts. With all the slots reserved for minorities you’ll be immediately pushed to the front of the line, and enjoy all the benefits accorded to minorities in America.
Of course once in the position you have gained you'll have to work to keep the job and earn the salary. But that's not a problem either but be sure to let you supervisor, manager, coworkers know that you're black, it might not be obvious to them and you want to be sure they know,so all the advantages associated with being black are yours to enjoy.
If you think that it might be uncomfortable to live as a black in black America, it’s just part of the territory that as a minority that you endure skepticism within your own race, deal with it, it just the way it is.
So now that you’ve decided to take me up on my experiment, it would be you brothers and sisters, riding the subway, taking a taxi, car pooling and eventually on your job, at the bar, coffee shop,whatever, letting everyone know you’re black, I know this is an inconvenience that you have to ket people know you're black, it not so much of a problem when you're actually black, but you'll have to indulge me in this experiment. By the way you're not overtly doing anything differently to let people know you're black, but if the situation arises where you have a chance to make it known that you are black you take the opportunity to make it known.
You might casually mention that you as a black person are just elated to live in America, where opportunity are so prevalent for everyone. I’m sure you will be thought of as an appreciative American just exercising free speech. All your friends won’t treat you any differently as you mention to them that a new branch of the family tree was recently discovered and it seems that you had black ancestors and consequently you have discovered that you are black.
Of course you don’t have to do this, but if you really want to see what it might be like to walk through a neighborhood of life and be seen as anyone other than a while man or woman, or child….try it. I wouldn’t worry about being associated with the negative stigmas associated with black America, you are, as always your own individual self. You are not Trayvon Martin, Kanye West, or Jay Z., you are just an American trying to get home, so stop by the local seven eleven, pick up an iced tea, and some skittles and have a nice day.
A very poignant and timely article. From its very beginning there were people who felt that slavery in the United States was an abomination. It took until 1865 with the Emancipation Proclamation for slavery to be abolished. But American apartheid continued in full force until 1965 with the Civil Rights Act forced reform on how society views black people in our culture. The process is continuing and may take another hundred years when we are more racially mixed for those fears and prejudices to finally go away. But your article and others going to the streets are making that transformation happen, altbeit too slow for this generation.
The DNA of those of European and African origin are slightly different. Those from Europe have about 2.5% Neanderthal DNA and those from Africa do not. That may tell us something about the character of those from Europe being of slightly more belligerent and thickheaded than their African brothers.
While I've had thoughts about black culture and some of the negative impacts that result, in my personal dealing with persons of color and other cultures, it's all been about their character. And my experiences have been exceedingly good and sometimes disappointing when my expectations of an individual's character failed.
I served on the faculty and staff of two black higher education universities for 33 years. I have felt the sting of discrimination for being white, and, in addition the subtle discrimination of being disabled. While I was still walking, I passed very well for normal, and climbed my career ladder quite rapidly in spite of some obvious discrimination by employers like, “we didn't hire you because it was unsafe for you,” or “I don't know how you can keep up the shop.” When I was forced into wheelchair 22 years ago, the subtle “accommodation” started setting in. It's the same kind of age discrimination that often occurs in corporations.
I am waiting for the time, “when we can all just get along.”
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
Yankee Doodle Daddy is a historical Appalachian Family Saga. The story follows a mother's reckoning as she struggles to survive and keep her four daughters alive.
