Color, Culture, Race: What do you base discrimination on?
By Urban Thought on February 18, 2008 @ 12:00 am
A few years ago, I went to see a Broadway show called Avenue Q with this girl I was seeing. There was a song that went, “Everyone’s a little bit racist.” As they were singing, I realized that the statement can be true (and probably is) but I would consider the phrase, “Everyone Discriminates” more appropriate.
While voting at the primaries this past week, I was greeted with some additional names under Hillary and Obama’s names, which were designated as Delegates. Not knowing who any of these people were, I tried my best to figure out the best method to make choices. I first thought to vote for a couple of females (to keep balance, can’t have too many men, can’t have too many woman). I then went on to vote for one person I thought to be closer to my social group and the other, I closed my eyes and picked one blindly.
Some say this method is wrong. I didn’t go into the booth with the understanding of choosing these people but I did what I could based on the information provided.
The Orange Phoenix, who is on her quest for finding love in the big city, is having trouble dealing with the fact that a man that is interested in her isn’t all that black. He happens to have one black parent and one white. This doesn’t sit well with her. But I ask her, “What isn’t in the color of his skin that bothers you so much?”
“I’m used to being with dark dudes.”
“And where has that gotten you? These same dark dudes you want to be with have left you heart broken.”
I knew she couldn’t argue that point and I don’t always like to be right but I do want her to see outside the box. You can give the dude a chance. Shoot. I used to deal with dark-skinned women all the time but now that I see that, the lighter side of things life has become more interesting. Not that it’s a dark skin/light skin situation but some things have worked out to be that way.
If we continue to base our relationships on skin color then we will limit the possibilities of love, learning, and growing. If we decide not to deal with folks based on cultural differences then when will we be able to have peace in the world? When will war end? When will conflict no longer exist? I prefer to argue over the best television show of all time rather than if I’m better cause I’m lighter or if my country is better than yours is because…
Allowing yourself to live blissfully within ignorance will only allow society to destruct within itself and cause chaos in the world.
Observations
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hhmmm… I would have to think for a real answer about what would make me ‘discriminate’ against someone…but for now I will say SHOES.
Meleah: I’ll agree with you there. If someone has run down shoes or if they look like their toes are jacked up (ie. corns and hammer toes) then I don’t waste my time. You can tell a lot by looking at someone shoes. If you cannot take care of the stuff you walk on then you can’t take care of me. Not that I’m looking to be taken care of, I’m just saying.
I appreciate the shout-out in the blog. Like this one. . . It is natural to attract and congregate with those who are similar to you (The “why do all the black kids sit together in the cafeteria” theory) Is that necessarily discriminatory or comfort level? When does it cross the line?
OP: I’d say comfort level. Of course, if someone comes and sits at the table who happens to not match the color of your skin your reaction to them sitting there will tell a story within itself.
see…Its all about THE SHOES
If you have always discriminated because of the shoes a person wears, I would guess you are making false assumptions.
You know my mission statement on women Urban. light skin, dark skin, who cares? Just need the spark and if she looks good, then I’m full speed ahead my friend.
And you’re dead on about the discriminates thing verses the racial thing. I find myself discrimination against the upper classes. I’m in CT so it’s all over. The skin color stuff I could care less about. CLASS Urban.
Martin: I doubt anyone completely puts the weight of ones being on shoes. I’m sure personality is a key factor as well.
Ricardo: I know all too well and I’m with you on that one.
I won’t allow color to keep me fenced into one community of people.
Hmmmm…I definitely have my own set of prejudices, and mine are the kind that have folks claiming I hate my own people.
Posture, carriage, manner of speech.
I don’t care what you wear, as long as you are able to speak and express yourself clearly and articulately. Guys approaching me with the “yo, whatup, Ma” bit, get the cold, icy freeze. I’m not a “yo”, and I damn sure ain’t your Mama.
Those speaking ebonics and broken, f’d up English…. yep, I’m degrading you in my mind. People come here from other countries and cultures and manage to learn to speak English perfectly. You’ve been here learning it since before grade school…what’s your excuse? Bowing to the old “pretend to be dumber than you are” peer pressure to be “down”, that’s what. You get BIG points off for that in my book.
Walking all stooped over, swinging your shoulders side to side like an ape, with an over pronounced ditty bop? I consider you to be of lower intelligence.
Intelligent, proud, clearly thinking people walk with their heads up, chest forward, and don’t feel the need to prance, dance and overemphasize some imagined “coolness” or toughness in their gait to impress others.
Hmmmmm.
People that drag their feet when they walk. Once again, of lesser intelligence. Doesn’t take much thought to pick those feet up and walk with some purpose.
So….how ya like me now? lol
Those are my prejudices, and I’m stickin’ to ‘em!
The FD
The FD: I cannot argue with you. I cannot disagree. I’ll go as far as saying that I am with you. We need to step up and improve ourselves. We have to get away from the notion that however educated we are isn’t selling out your race/culture/people/nation. Through education – grammatically correct English, pronunciation of words – can we overcome a lot of the stereotypes put on us. Also, I think the quality of jobs we get will also improve. We should get out of the state of ignorance some of us so blissfully wallow in and move up and forward with being a greater people than we are today. (I’m not perfect, but a work in progress)
Getting to the way we walk and dress. I think the clothes we put on and the swagger that we carry ourselves with tells a lot about us. Some folk just don’t get it. You don’t have to have your pants hanging off your ass to be a man. You don’t have to be like every one else. Do your own thing but don’t look sloppy doing it. What kills me is grown folk who dress like young kids. I can only speculate that they are trying to hold on to their youth.
Sometimes we have to be harder on ourselves (our people) and expect more. It’s OK.
I’m liking you lovely. Loving the way you think. I also enjoy your blog.