Comments on: Shades of Brown, Shades of Racism http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/ Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:59:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: » The Run Off: 4/27/08, Ironman Edition | Highbrid Nation | Because Knowledge is Power http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6658 » The Run Off: 4/27/08, Ironman Edition | Highbrid Nation | Because Knowledge is Power Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:09:19 +0000 http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6658 [...] Shades of Brown, Shades of Racism [...] [...] Shades of Brown, Shades of Racism [...]

]]> By: Urban Thought http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6572 Urban Thought Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:59:15 +0000 http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6572 <strong>FD:</strong> I'm right there with your way of thinkings. We'll exhaust ourselves explaining it to those who have no clue as to the experience that we've had a lifetime of dealing with. <strong>TT:</strong> This is why I tried my best to beat dude over the head with the crutch. The moment it does happen they are going to look at him like he cried wolf. FD: I’m right there with your way of thinkings. We’ll exhaust ourselves explaining it to those who have no clue as to the experience that we’ve had a lifetime of dealing with.

TT: This is why I tried my best to beat dude over the head with the crutch. The moment it does happen they are going to look at him like he cried wolf.

]]> By: Televisiontraci http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6495 Televisiontraci Thu, 17 Apr 2008 01:50:14 +0000 http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6495 Do I think there is complexion racism...sure there is but it doesn't seem to be the case in this situation. Too many of us use our race as a crutch. When things don't go right it is never out fault so it must be something that we can not control like our race. In most instance it's just a cop-out and it makes the true cases of discrimination seem more trivial. Do I think there is complexion racism…sure there is but it doesn’t seem to be the case in this situation. Too many of us use our race as a crutch. When things don’t go right it is never out fault so it must be something that we can not control like our race. In most instance it’s just a cop-out and it makes the true cases of discrimination seem more trivial.

]]> By: The Fitness Diva http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6484 The Fitness Diva Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:43:32 +0000 http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6484 I agree that you can't keep pulling the race card when things don't work out in your life as a person of color. While racism does exist for sure, you can't just sit down and cry when it does pop up. You have to just knock it down, knock it out, or climb right over it. That's what I do. That having been said, I don't think that all people are able to see racism when it is there, most especially caucasians, because they really don't have to acknowledge it, as it almost never affects or happens to them. You can be so completely unaware of something going on right under your nose simply because the experience is not happening to you. Also, those not affected by it would prefer not to have to constantly hear about it. They become annoyed and prefer to think you're delusional simply because they can't relate, and the world as is works just fine for them. Why change anything? "It's not broke...so why are you trying to fix it?" I can go into a store right behind you, or sit in the same restaurant as you and be treated totally differently from you, and you won't even realize it. That's an unfortunate reality. There really is a still a race problem, and colorism exists worldwide, but no, you can't focus on it all the time, or you'll go crazy. As the person experiencing it, of course. Racism. Sometimes it's there. Sometimes it's not. In this case, it wasn't. I agree that you can’t keep pulling the race card when things don’t work out in your life as a person of color. While racism does exist for sure, you can’t just sit down and cry when it does pop up. You have to just knock it down, knock it out, or climb right over it.
That’s what I do.

That having been said, I don’t think that all people are able to see racism when it is there, most especially caucasians, because they really don’t have to acknowledge it, as it almost never affects or happens to them. You can be so completely unaware of something going on right under your nose simply because the experience is not happening to you.

Also, those not affected by it would prefer not to have to constantly hear about it. They become annoyed and prefer to think you’re delusional simply because they can’t relate, and the world as is works just fine for them. Why change anything? “It’s not broke…so why are you trying to fix it?”

I can go into a store right behind you, or sit in the same restaurant as you and be treated totally differently from you, and you won’t even realize it.
That’s an unfortunate reality.

There really is a still a race problem, and colorism exists worldwide, but no, you can’t focus on it all the time, or you’ll go crazy. As the person experiencing it, of course.

Racism.
Sometimes it’s there.
Sometimes it’s not.
In this case, it wasn’t.

]]> By: Urban Thought http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6479 Urban Thought Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:12:21 +0000 http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6479 <strong>Christian:</strong> I'm so glad that you have that realization. I always say that we make our own future. I know people say that people don't see past my color and blah blah blah. But the entire world isn't built like that. People actually see people sometimes. And what you put on your resume or how you handle yourself in an interview counts for something. We also have to understand that if you are so worried about your color getting in the way then perhaps you should step your game up and be sure that your actions over shadow all else. <strong>Ms. Q:</strong> I'm feeling your words. I find myself making my own truth rather than letting folk define what my truth will be. Or am I speaking of my future or my present rather than truth. In either case, we can only allow our selves to be held back. We can either deal with the glass sealing or break through it. Sometimes breaking through it means to move on. Some things aren't worth fighting for. They say a mind is a terrible thing to waste. I also feel a mind is very hard to change. And when someone has their mind set on something they often are too ignorant to see past their own views. <strong>Ricardo:</strong> I already look at Malcolm with the screw face. I'm so glad he came to me with it rather than any of the managers. Corporations these days have systems set up for these kinds of things. You don't want to be put on anyone's "black list" and not be recognized for your achievements but rather your complaints. Christian: I’m so glad that you have that realization. I always say that we make our own future. I know people say that people don’t see past my color and blah blah blah. But the entire world isn’t built like that. People actually see people sometimes. And what you put on your resume or how you handle yourself in an interview counts for something. We also have to understand that if you are so worried about your color getting in the way then perhaps you should step your game up and be sure that your actions over shadow all else.

Ms. Q: I’m feeling your words. I find myself making my own truth rather than letting folk define what my truth will be. Or am I speaking of my future or my present rather than truth. In either case, we can only allow our selves to be held back. We can either deal with the glass sealing or break through it. Sometimes breaking through it means to move on. Some things aren’t worth fighting for. They say a mind is a terrible thing to waste. I also feel a mind is very hard to change. And when someone has their mind set on something they often are too ignorant to see past their own views.

Ricardo: I already look at Malcolm with the screw face. I’m so glad he came to me with it rather than any of the managers. Corporations these days have systems set up for these kinds of things. You don’t want to be put on anyone’s “black list” and not be recognized for your achievements but rather your complaints.

]]> By: Ricardo http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6456 Ricardo Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:30:11 +0000 http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6456 Yeah this is not racism but exactly what you said. Malcolm is reading too much into. If he screwed up he has to take account for that. And making a complaint of this nature might get him into deeper trouble since it is like crying wolf. Yeah this is not racism but exactly what you said. Malcolm is reading too much into. If he screwed up he has to take account for that. And making a complaint of this nature might get him into deeper trouble since it is like crying wolf.

]]> By: Ms. Q http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6451 Ms. Q Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:57:09 +0000 http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6451 "Shades of Brown???" Yeesh! I have observed how lighter skin is deemed better in all but the colorless folk who like darker skin. Funny as in "this is quite odd" not "ha ha" While I believe that racism and prejudice exist, I believe that the constant focus on race makes it persist. Playing the "race card" really annoys me. I notice it annoys the successful Colorful people, too! I've mentioned Younger Dude in my blog - he's a pretty dark Black man. He's 66 years old and has actually been the "First Black" at a couple of companies. He's never played the race card and is annoyed by those who do. He strives for excellence and he achieves that. He's very inspirational but it's not like he's trying to be. He was the "first black" to do certain jobs because he was the best. I'm essentially agreeing with Christian! I've been reading about letting go in order to be free. Letting go involves seeing the truth and as it's said, "the truth shall set you free." When you're blind to your own weaknesses, you are trapped by them. Hopefully, Malcolm will let go of his excuses! “Shades of Brown???” Yeesh! I have observed how lighter skin is deemed better in all but the colorless folk who like darker skin. Funny as in “this is quite odd” not “ha ha”

While I believe that racism and prejudice exist, I believe that the constant focus on race makes it persist. Playing the “race card” really annoys me. I notice it annoys the successful Colorful people, too!

I’ve mentioned Younger Dude in my blog - he’s a pretty dark Black man. He’s 66 years old and has actually been the “First Black” at a couple of companies. He’s never played the race card and is annoyed by those who do. He strives for excellence and he achieves that. He’s very inspirational but it’s not like he’s trying to be.

He was the “first black” to do certain jobs because he was the best. I’m essentially agreeing with Christian!

I’ve been reading about letting go in order to be free. Letting go involves seeing the truth and as it’s said, “the truth shall set you free.”

When you’re blind to your own weaknesses, you are trapped by them. Hopefully, Malcolm will let go of his excuses!

]]> By: Christian http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6441 Christian Sun, 13 Apr 2008 16:10:59 +0000 http://blog.urbanobservation.com/2008/04/13/shades-of-brown-shades-of-racism/#comment-6441 I think its human nature to look elsewhere for reasons why our life is the way it is. For some we can easily face the fact that it was our choices, decisions and behavior that led us to this point. While others will chose outside factors as the reasons...In this case Malcom. I remember when I was younger and I use to always throw the race card as a reason why my career was never taking off. In some industry this is very true, but as I matured, I realized that it is not the case for every employer. With the right work ethic, attitude and equal opportunity you can get any position you want. I think its human nature to look elsewhere for reasons why our life is the way it is. For some we can easily face the fact that it was our choices, decisions and behavior that led us to this point. While others will chose outside factors as the reasons…In this case Malcom. I remember when I was younger and I use to always throw the race card as a reason why my career was never taking off. In some industry this is very true, but as I matured, I realized that it is not the case for every employer. With the right work ethic, attitude and equal opportunity you can get any position you want.

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