Black and White...Are things really that simple?
So I know I talk a lot about race and social issue we have in our country...but one thing that frustrates me the most is how people get mad at me because they are uncomfortable speaking about racial tensions... 3 words NOT MY PROBLEM...I guess being AA I have an easier time speaking about the topic more than others because my life has always been diverse, but that doesn't I have to bite my tongue because others might be uncomfortable...in normal conversation I made a comment about an American Idol contestant who is white, having a "Older Black man inside his soul", because his tone was soulful and sultry, the comment was made back to me "why does everything have to be so black and white with you?"...and while trying to think of my response, I really could offer up no response. The first thing that popped in my head was, “why are you so offended?”, it makes me believe that the reason it makes people uncomfortable is because, we are taught never to speak about race unless having a very political correct conversation to prevent hurt feelings.
But, does that perpetrate the problem or does that aid having open and honest conversation?
That is the true question, should I really have to censor myself just because it might make someone feel uncomfortable? I do believe we she be respectful and honest when we are uncomfortable, but I have hard time doing that when racial tension are at a all time high. I come to work everyday surround by people who don’t look like me, dress like me, or even talk like men, but still I work hard with a smile on my face. I cannot begin to tell you the comments and questions people have asked me, from the way I dress to the clothes I wear. And still I answer each question with a smile honesty, simply because I recognize that they aren’t trying to be rude but they have a genuine interest. I choose not to get mad, because if I don’t educated them who will?
So in the grad scheme of things, things really aren’t that Black and White? What I have realized is that their is a difference between “Pure Ignorance vs. Blatant Ignorance”, (blog to come), which people get confused all the time. We need to be more vigilant in recognizing this, so we can be a positive change in our community.
