Don't just throw in a sandwich and run! /Build a relationship. http://regularblackradio.com/plantandwater
Plant and Water (009) - Regular Black Radio
Plant and Water This week I talked to the fiercely talented and intelligent Breai Mason-Campbell! She was kind enough to share some of her time with me for a chat about her views on race and encourages us to plant and water the seeds of race. She really got me thinking about how I can …
“The idea that black people’s reaction to racism—and not the racism itself—is what must be addressed is an effective distraction that decenters the struggle of black people. It centers the comfort of white people, absolving white supremacy and indicting black rage as “the problem.”
Celebrities like Common and Raven-Symone are but ambassadors of the growing New Black culture that Pharrell became the unwitting poster child for in his now-infamous Oprah interview. “Upward mobility,” sayeth the New Black, “that is the promise of America and because I have achieved—you can, too.” They conveniently romanticize their climb to wherever they are in their lives and careers, telling themselves that they got there via personal drive and ambition that is unique to them. But structural obstacles kept most of their peers stagnant in socio-economic standing; these stars achieved in spite of racism—not because it doesn’t exist. So it is dangerous to put the onus on the oppressed people, as if you believe no one cared to climb the ladder until you came along. Poor public schools and overpriced housing mean that things aren’t really designed for you and your peers to “make it out.” You can’t be “exceptional” without being an exception.
The New Black perspective sounds like an old black pathology. Exceptionalism and respectability have never saved us from the oppressive weight of racism. We’ve always achieved greatness in a country that doesn’t see value in blackness beyond a commodity; maintained dignity in a land that has consistently dehumanized and stigmatized who we are. White supremacy often insists that black people prove themselves exceptional just to share a table with white mediocrity. It is not for black people to extend a hand; it is for the privileged and the powerful to remove their boot from the community’s collective neck. These celebrities seem to be disconnected from the pulse and spirit of many of their peers, but their voices resonate far and wide in pop culture. And more black celebrities should take the struggles of the community at least seriously enough to not offer condescension, rhetoric, and smug dismissals when confronted with the realities of race and racism. Those with the biggest pulpits can’t continue to preach the gospel of positivity, condescension, and denial. It was deflecting when Bill Cosby gave his infamous “Pound Cake speech” in 2004 and it’s deflecting now. It’s an old routine.
When you think about it, there isn’t much “new” about New Blacks at all.”
I agree. It sounds like an old Black pathology cause it is. There’s nothing new about new Black. And you know what else isn’t new.. The Black community side eyeing coonery.
005 - My name is... what? http://regularblackradio.com/2015/10/13/004-my-name-is-what/
005 - My name is... what?
This week's episode we talk about what's important in a name, the struggles of black women, and gentrification. There's a lot to take in with this one, folks! Here are the links I mentioned in today's …
Check me out! I live black http://regularblackradio.com/iliveblack
007 - I live black
I live Black This week, I was lucky enough to talk with the very talented Jasmine Pope of J Pope and Funk Friday. She shared with me some of her work, her music and of course …
Can a community created to benefit black people keep us safe? regularblackradio.com/communitybycolor
004 - Community by Color
#004 - Community by Color This week we hear further the discussion about building a black community. Check out this story from Nikole Hannah Jones on This American Life. Lterally life changing! The Problem We All Live Part With …
Would you want someone else to choose for you? 003 - Chocolate or Vanilla
003 - Chocolate or Vanilla
#003 - Chocolate or Vanilla This week we hear from Derick Ebert, Baltimore's youth poet laureate: a talented, outspoken, young hopeful, who holds tight to his black identity. He tells us about how others sometimes wanted to …
"When you are black in America and you fall in love with a white person, race doesn't matter when you're alone together because it's just you and your love. But the minute you step outside, race ma...
Check out episode one of a new podcast about race, identity and minority life! - Click here for black babies http://regularblackradio.com/2015/09/01/001-click-here-for-black-babies/
#001 - Click here for black babies
Choose your baby wisely I came across something at work today that made me stop and think about how I google babies. This week's episode is about an incident that happened to me at work. If …
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