I took a lot of race-focused classes in college. One that still stands out in my mind was a 20-person class called "Race & Ethnicity" which just happened to be 10 black and minority students, 10 white ones. One day, we had a "fish bowl" activity, where the 10 white kids sat in a circle while we sat on the outside. And they were told to be blatantly honest about their thoughts on race issues, affirmative action and the like. I remember the white kids saying how they felt slighted because they were always coming across scholarships that they couldn't apply for because they were for "minorities." I had a permanent scowl on my face during this exercise.
Then one particular chick was mad that she didn't get chosen to be a Resident Advisor even though she was qualified. She felt that the reason she didn't get it was because the university wanted to "diversify." I remember kindly telling her "Ok, this school is made up of 70% white students. If EVERY qualified white student who applied to be an RA got it, by numbers alone, it'd be a pretty monochromatic dorm staff." Her: "Oh. Well I guess I never thought about it like that." Naw fool. you didn't. And the issue of the minority scholarships is too long for me to talk about in this post. That's for another day.
I've had this comic since I was a senior in college and I've kept it saved in like 5 locations so I wouldn't lose it. Cartoon by Barry Deutsch of LeftyCartoons.com
American Airlines, in partnership with Nelson George, just launched a travel portal called Black Atlas: The Passport to the Black Experience. The concept is that when Black folks travel and we wanna know certain places of interest, it serves as reference tool. It's focuses on Black travelers and lets folks know things like information on Black culture in Madrid. Or where to visit if one goes to Seattle. Full disclosure: I'm a contributor for the Black Atlas website.Sounds decent enough right? NOPE! Apparently, some white folks are insulted by it and think it's racist. I've seen some folks tweet about how it offends them. WHY? Because it's not for you???
We can't have nothing for ourselves! These are probably the same people who are mad we have a Black entertainment Television. Well, that's because EVERY OTHER CHANNEL is white entertainment. And BET isn't much of a trophy anyway. Black folks hate it as much as white folks resent it (but don't get me started on BET. I'd never stop). Shoot, technically BET isn't even done by US anyway. It's owned by Viacom, same folks that own CBS & MTV. So womp.
But I don't understand why some white people think us having something FOR US is somehow racism. Yes, I do think it's dope that there's a website I can go that will point me to the oldest Black cemetery in the United States. No, it has nothing to do with you. And no, everything doesn't have to.
You're mad at an online portal for Black people? Cry me a river, build a bridge, and get the hell over it.
P.S. This slightly convoluted post was sponsored by Fatigue Inc and Need some sleep enterprises.
