Race conscious is where you are conscious of your race and that of others. Your race becomes a part of who you are in your own eyes, of how you look at yourself: “I am a black woman.”
Being race conscious is the opposite of being colour blind – not seeing the race of others – and raceless – not seeing your own race or thinking it does not matter much: “I am just normal.”
Being race conscious is not the same thing as being racist – thinking or acting like one race is better than another: “Black people can never do anything right.”
You can be race conscious and yet not be racist. Martin Luther King, Jr, for example, did not seem to be very racist, yet he most certainly was race conscious – his life story would not make sense otherwise.
Some people say, “If you stop seeing race and making such a big deal about it, racism will go away.” That has been tried. It does not work. Since 1970 most White Americans have been brought up in a colour-blind way and yet they are still racist.
Because being race conscious is not the same thing as being racist. You can be racist without thinking all that much about race. In fact, it makes being racist easier because race barely enters conscious thought. That is why a white person can say “I am not racist” with a straight face and yet do something completely racist. Because they are that blind to their own racism.
In fact, most whites who are not racist go through a period where they become very race conscious, become unblind.
For people of colour in America race consciousness is not a choice. If their parents do not bring them up to be race conscious, it will be thrust upon them from having to live in a white racist world. Either that or they will be forced to conclude that there is something wrong with them, that white people truly are better.
It is hard for people of colour not to become race conscious: because of how their lives are shaped by race, because of how white people act towards them. They would be fools to “forget race” unless and until white people do.
The latest studies show that for black children too much race consciousness can be a bad thing if it leads them to always expect the worst from white people. On the other hand, having no race consciousness at all and therefore no pride in being black is bad too because it leaves them defenceless in the face of white racism.
Blacks in America are not equally race conscious throughout their lives. Sometimes it is pretty weak, like when they are little children or in their 30s, and sometimes it is very strong, like between the ages of 15 and 25 or sometimes in middle age. It goes up and down.
See also:
Abagond 
Good post, Abagond.
Proud to be afro latino/carribean. Shame other afro latinos aren’t proud to be black.
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I’m very race conscious, I suppose. Being mixed-race means you can’t ever really ignore race.
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@B&G:
Agreed. Also, being a person of color, others will point it out to you that you’re different by making comments that may be deemed racist. So, how is it possible to not be race conscious? It’s a rhetorical question since most people know the answer.
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Yeah, I always wonder when I meet white people who complain about colored people talking about race. They say things like “Race shouldn’t matter.” or mention the infamous “Purple people”. *roll eyes*
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I’ve seen racialized people who subscribe to the colour-blind philosophy when dealing with race. I’ve also seen the devastation wrought when they find out this is to the contrary. Not a pretty sight and I mean literally. I have personally witnessed the fall-outs from various situations. Many of these racialized people before hand would ridicule another racialized person’s complaints of racism. The old “if it can happen to me it can happen to you” saying never had a more apt example in these cases. People be aware so that you are prepared for navigaing life in this ‘colour blind'(in reality racist) society. Do-not let it take you unawares. I have seen the destructive effect wrought on ‘unsuspecting’ people.
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@Daniel:
Are you really THE Daniel J. Flynn? Or someone aspiring to be like him? Why does this person remind me of igor?
http://www.academia.org/store/hating_whitey.html
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@Daniel
Thanks for the long winded speech. I really learnt something today…….. NOT!
Btw the last paragraph smacks of ignorance!!!
If you are going criticise something at least do it right.
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I deleted Daniel’s comment. As Leigh noted, it was plagiarized.
Here is the last paragraph that Vindicator was talking about:
“Although the progressive cause of hating whites bemoans the legacy of slavery and racial tensions as if these problems were unique to the United States, it ignores something that is truly special about America. Blacks are less persecuted and more prosperous in America than in any place in the world—including Africa.”
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I don’t mind if things are plagarized, so long as the person that plagarises makes a reference to who wrote first. I will admit though this tactic of trolls is getting really old, very quickly.
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@Daniel:
If you want to comment, please read the post and then give YOUR OWN comments, not something copied from a right-wing website that was written years before my post.
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Black&German:
Purple people – I need to do a post on that.
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Herneith said:
I’ve seen racialized people who subscribe to the colour-blind philosophy when dealing with race. I’ve also seen the devastation wrought when they find out this is to the contrary. Not a pretty sight and I mean literally. I have personally witnessed the fall-outs from various situations. Many of these racialized people before hand would ridicule another racialized person’s complaints of racism. The old “if it can happen to me it can happen to you” saying never had a more apt example in these cases. People be aware so that you are prepared for navigaing life in this ‘colour blind’(in reality racist) society. Do-not let it take you unawares. I have seen the destructive effect wrought on ‘unsuspecting’ people.
Very true. It’s very self-destructive for people of color to adopt to the color-blind philosophy. You can be racially aware and not be racist.
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to lack race consciousness is dangerous.
I can not tell you the number of times that I’ve been in conversations with white people who are into ‘third world studies’ and attend anti racist demos, anti globalisation demos, who only buy fair trade…
yet have siad.. yes slavery was bad, but Afrians should thank the colonials for at least giving them clothes and and introducing them to civilisation.
I remember sitting there, listening as they were telling this black girl who had grown up around white people about her ‘history’ of how Africans didn’t know the value of gold before the white man came along, they weren’t malicious.. it’s what they believed. When the girl said it sounded a bit ridiculous, they rounded on her and almost brow beat her into submission.
This is when I spoke up, and when they tried to counter, I hit them with a long list of African civilisations, our long history of trade with each other, our armies, how we used our resources e.t.c.
They declared me a trouble maker and too passionate.
They asked why therre weren’t any movies made about it. seriously.
To not be race concious in this society is dangeorus. White people will deny any obvious racist attack and just say..
‘oh that person was being silly.. he’s just a jerk, she’s under soo much stress.
Don’t worry you can find another job, so you don’t have to put up with her comments.. she shouted at me too!’
One needs to be armed with knowledge of self before dealing with the outside world, or the world will mold you into anything it wants you to be.
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Excellent example.
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“They asked why there weren’t any movies made about it. seriously.”
Some people.
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@B&G
why in heck did u leave this continent. I would so do a paris cafe with you to animatedly discuss this.
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I don’t know anymore. It seemed like a good idea at the time since my hubby can earn more $$ over here. But I think it was a mistake.
I was having the same thought! Really, I thought: She is too cool. Too bad she’s so far away. You know that next time I’m in London I’m going to stalk you. I just need to look “Soul” up in the phone book. Should be easy enough. LOL!
I haven’t been to Paris in at least 3 years. I really am cut off from civilization here. Americans have no idea how make a proper crème brulée. It’s such a shame. And don’t even get me started on what passes for a curry here.
And why the heck does a bottle of decent Riesling cost over $40? $9 for some half-way edible Camembert! Can anybody please explain that mess?
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yes slavery was bad, but Afrians should thank the colonials for at least giving them clothes and and introducing them to civilisation.
I had a ‘clown’ make a similar statement to me a few years back. His diatribe was similar to the above. To add insult to injury, he claimed that the colonialist brought civilization to the ‘natives’. Ergo, the ‘natives’ should be eminently grateful. According to him, previous to colonialism, most lived in the ‘bush’ or dilapidated huts, ate whatever they could get their hand on included but not limited to humans! You see, the white man saved them from savagery!
Worst of all, he said all of this with a straight face and in an earnest manner. Perhaps he expected me to thank the colonialists on the behalf of all the ‘natives’. Think again buddy.
First off I told him that he was a racist.
Second off, I told him that perhaps these ‘natives were better off before colonialism since in the present day whites pay a fortune to go on vacation and basically do what the ‘natives’ did pre-colonialism(I meant to be facetious, but he didn’t cotton on to this).
Thirdly, I told him that Africa is a continent not a ‘country’ but a series of countries with distinct languages and cultures. I told him that if anything the colonizers only served to destroy the continent as much as they could.
As a rule, I don’t respond to racist remarks or behaviour, I dismiss the speaker and keep going. Sometimes some remarks begs for a reply in return, this was one of them.
This ‘clown’s (a most fitting appellation in his case) reply, was to tell me to “lighten up it’s no big deal”. I asked this man why he would come to me with such racist ramblings? I then warned him that should he speak to me about such b*********, again that I would lodge a complaint against him. He still could n’t understand my reaction and kept telling me to “lighten up and take a Valium”. I then told him I prefer to confront ignoramuses like him rather than resort to pill popping. I again reiterated that I would lodge a complaint so shut up. At this point he backed down. The kicker? This was unsolicited! I was reading the travel section of the newspaper I wasn’t even conversing with him! Needless to say he never spoke to me of such things again. In fact he avoided me which was fine by me.
Other incidences involved calling me by other black women’s names if yours is forgotten. This is very common.
One ‘idiot’ (again an appropriate description), kept calling me by other black women’s names. I don’t know about you but I was taught to call people by their correct name. To do otherwise would denote a complete lack of respect for the said person. If you forget the person’s name then ask. At first I politely corrected him giving him the benefit of the doubt, we all make mistakes. However, after five or six times, and after working with this fool for several years, this was getting out of hand.
One day he was calling me by another name. I did not respond. Finally, he made eye contact and asked me why I wasn’t responding. I said do all black women look alike to you? He started shaking and turned a beet red. He started blubbering. If not, I said, why do you keep calling me by other names? His response, I forgot your name. I then told him if he had half a brain he would ask, irregardless of embarrassment, as it shows a distinct lack of respect to that particular person. I told him that, if he could not remember my name, not to address me at all. He apologized profusely making incoherent excuses and I left the area.
You know what’s scary? Many racialized people would not recognize this. It usually takes something blatant and or violent to wake them up. The above incidences are not rare but frequent and serve as examples. My reaction to this babbling is to not debate them per se but to state unequivocally the inappropriateness of their remarks and to cease and desist. Arguing does nothing but enhance their sense of superiority. I refuse to give credence to these cretins and their racist ramblings.
Oh i forgot, these are people I work(ed) with if it hasn’t been mentioned before.
ramblingsramblings
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Ok, don’t have time to respond in detail, but here’s a cartoon:
http://www.salon.com/comics/knig/2007/08/08/knig/index.html?source=rss
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Sanabituranima! Long time, no hear.
That cartoon is based on an old Mitch Hedberg joke.
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I’m taking Ethics this semester with a pretty famous Philosophy professor who is known for being very pro-Affirmative Action, and he wrote about the civilization argument you mentioned, Soul, and why it’s wrong. For the record, I had one girl in my class, when we were talking about AA, say one of the usual spiels about how “People shouldn’t still be talking about things that happened 400 years ago…” My professor, who is White, gave her quite the academic smackdown. 😛
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@herneith
Yes. Yes. Yes!
This is the bane of my existence lol.
This dominates the culture over here and I find white people actively want you to be racialised, so you don’t notice and ignore their racism.
It’s what my ex-bestie was trying to do to me and I kept on reminding her that I was a black African woman. I know my culture, I know my history, I know my past. I’m not some TV stereotype. You can say those silly things that you say to black people who have assimilated and absorbed your stereotypes and lies as truth, but you can’t say them to me. I have lived a different reality and I won’t accept it.
Simple things like Black people have broad noses.. really.. all black people? really?.
black people are aggressive?
really? all black people?
black people don’t work? really all black people?
‘Oh no you are different’? really? I am? So my black family that raised me fit the profile, but I’m different?.
I point out the insult and suddenly everyone is uncomfortable.
I remember my friend starting a convo with me saying.. you know why do you say things like I’m a black woman to make a point.
I said why not?
There are certain things I as a black woman do not do. you need to know that so you do not put me in a compromising situation.
We don’t live in a colour bling society? Don’t be naive enough to take me to an exclusive all white club and not expect me to face some BS. It will happen, know that.
Don’t take me somewhere where there’s a boat load of narcotics and someone is playing heavy dance music within earshot of the police… Chances are as a black woman I will be arrested.. you guys will be excused.
Don’t knowingly invite me out to sit with one of your friends who is a known racist and then tell me that you just wanted me to defend black people because you’ve been wanting to put her in her place.. like my reason for going out on any given night is to confront racist arseholes.
And finally, please don’t deny me the history and beauty of my skin. There is nothing wrong in seeing me as a black person. The problem isn’t seeing colour. The problem is seeing colour as a negative.
You know what’s scary? Many racialized people would not recognize this. It usually takes something blatant and or violent to wake them up
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@B&G
No need for the stalking….
lol. I’m usually in ur neck of the woods quite often, ps email abagond.
erm, and here begins the let down. I’m more a cheesecake fan (It’s the biscuit base I promise) and I don’t do cheeses well except brie lol.
But wine.. yeh email abagond.
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Soul,
Have you read the book “Between Barack and a Hard Place” by Tim Wise? I think you would like it and relate to it a lot. (I’m reading it now, and every other page I have the urge to go “Hell yes!”) 🙂
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@Jasmin, thanks I’ll add it to my reading list
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@soul:
Despite the tone of my posts, for the most part I find these incidences hilarious especially their reactions when you call them out on their behaviour. Why? Because I cannot believe in the wilful stupidity of some of these blatantly racist comments. Sometimes it gets on your nerves and you have to respond however. My philosophy is “I’m paid to talk to you”. That this occurs in the workplace is equally mindboggling.
As for not being race conscious, it is imperative that one is. I know this from personal experience as being on the receiving end of a race-based criminal act (this was an ongoing situation). There were other who had the same crimes perpetrated against them and they all those involved reacted differently. Some people suffered greatly. Me? My attitude was bring it on! The prepetrator has not been apprehended as yet if they ever will. I do know that the perpetrator is someone I work with however. What galls me is that this criminal is anonymous. This is why I tell people to be aware as it can potentially have an effect on your personal safety.
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I like these two quotes and want to work them into the post somehow because they seem to say the whole thing in a few words:
Soul: “The problem isn’t seeing colour. The problem is seeing colour as a negative.”
Dani: “It’s very self-destructive for people of color to adopt to the color-blind philosophy. You can be racially aware and not be racist.”
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I think this is on topic.
There’s going to be a documentary about Afro latinos and how they are becoming more conscious and proud of their black roots coming soon.
Here’s the clip:
I might write a blog on it. Check it out.
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@Herneith:
“As a rule, I don’t respond to racist remarks or behaviour, I dismiss the speaker and keep going. Sometimes some remarks begs for a reply in return, this was one of them.
This ‘clown’s (a most fitting appellation in his case) reply, was to tell me to “lighten up it’s no big deal”. I asked this man why he would come to me with such racist ramblings? I then warned him that should he speak to me about such b*********, again that I would lodge a complaint against him. He still could n’t understand my reaction and kept telling me to “lighten up and take a Valium”. I then told him I prefer to confront ignoramuses like him rather than resort to pill popping. I again reiterated that I would lodge a complaint so shut up. At this point he backed down. The kicker? This was unsolicited! I was reading the travel section of the newspaper I wasn’t even conversing with him! Needless to say he never spoke to me of such things again. In fact he avoided me which was fine by me.”
I had somewhat of a similar situation happen to me not too long ago. I work with children in a daycare which has a few minority children. Well, I help take care of 2-year-olds in my room, and there is only one visible minority child. One of my co-workers, known for joking around, called him Bruce Lee. Can you hazard a guess why? That’s right. The child is Asian. Actually, half-Asian.
Anyway, that’s besides the point. I was appalled and I said, “You know. This child has a name.” She laughed it off and told me that she thought it was funny and appropriate. I repeated once more that this child had a name and it wasn’t Bruce Lee. She turned to me and said I should lighten up and it was no big deal and proceeded to call him Bruce Lee to my face!
I gritted my teeth, took a deep breath, and remarked, “Listen to me. If I ever catch you one more time calling him Bruce Lee, I’m going to head straight to the director of this daycare, and tell her what you’ve been saying to this child.” (There are strict guidelines and policies on harassment, prejudice, and discrimination. And it’s not tolerated.)
This co-worker looked stunned that I would even mention this and she made a face, and didn’t say one word the entire time. From then on, she was very careful in what she said around me.
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Other incidences involved calling me by other black women’s names if yours is forgotten. This is very common.
I don’t get this on a normal basis but when I’m arguing something with white person and they’re losing the argument they’ll often come back with, “Okay Laquisha.” (or Shanana, or Lashandra, etc.) And then say, “Talk to the hand.” and crack up laughing. Yeah… real funny.
This co-worker looked stunned that I would even mention this and she made a face, and didn’t say one word the entire time. From then on, she was very careful in what she said around me.
Leigh, tell it like it is.
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@leigh:
One of my co-workers, known for joking around, called him Bruce Lee. Can you hazard a guess why? That’s right. The child is Asian. Actually, half-Asian.
In this instance I would have reported the woman as it was a defenseless child she was dealing with. This is when this type of racism begins. An adult can opt to confront, complain etc. This child cannot for the simple reason that they may have been unaware of the insult. In 1954, Hurricane Hazel struck Southern Ontario. During the cleanup, my uncle who was five years old was helping(as much as a child his age could) clean up the debris, flooding etc. A white man approached him and offered him a dollar to help him clear his own mess up, referring to him as ‘Sambo’. My uncle replied, “Sir, my name is Earl, not Sambo” in all innocence. He told my grandmother who needless to say hit the roof. When my uncle pointed this man out, my grandmother tore a strip off this man. The man told my grandmother he was “only joking”. This same uncle on repeated occasions, was offered ten cents to have his hair rubbed by some white man. Why go back so many years? Nothing has changed much, has it? This woman should have been reported as this child was defenseless. She obviously felt comfortable making these remarks to and in front of an Asian person. Perhaps she thought you would chuckle along with her? Good for you for taking a stance against this woman! But knowing the system they would probably have just sent her for ‘retraining’ for a couple of days replete with a hotel stay and money for meals had you complained.
@B&G:
I don’t get this on a normal basis but when I’m arguing something with white person and they’re losing the argument they’ll often come back with, “Okay Laquisha.” (or Shanana, or Lashandra, etc.) And then say, “Talk to the hand.” and crack up laughing. Yeah… real funny.
You have the patience of Job! A miscreant who said something like this to me would have had two strips torn of of them! The people to whom I am referring to are workmates calling me by other black women’s surnames(Smith, Jones etc). They are stupid but not that stupid as to say something that is so blatantly racist to my face. It’s more subtle, but racist none the less. I have never had someone come up to me in a social or public setting and address me in this blatantly racist manner based upon racist name stereotypes or demeanor! Had they referred to me as Laquisha, Shanana etc, and the perennial “Talk to the hand” accompanied by neck swiveling or eye popping, I would have lodged a complaint immediately whilst in my workplace. You were, are, at a disadvantage in lodging a complaint while in public or in a social setting! The fact that this happens frequently would probably render such complaints moot outside the workplace unless accompanied by vilence! The fact that someone would talk to you like that means that they feel that they can conduct themselves in this manner with impunity. They knew exactly what they were doing as this is not a joke. If you were to refer to them as racist, these same idiots would deny this and be mortally offended as they were only “joking”. They would then find some way of turning it around as to make you the racist as you cannot take a ‘joke’! I also find the derision of African American names to be disturbing. This is a continuum in society it seems.
disturbing
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@Herneith:
“This woman should have been reported as this child was defenseless. She obviously felt comfortable making these remarks to and in front of an Asian person. Perhaps she thought you would chuckle along with her? Good for you for taking a stance against this woman! But knowing the system they would probably have just sent her for ‘retraining’ for a couple of days replete with a hotel stay and money for meals had you complained.”
You are so right, Herneith. I realized soon afterwards, I let an opportunity pass by me, and it’s something I will not let happen again. This woman is so mindful of me that she knows I’m waiting for her to slip up.
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You have the patience of Job!
Yeah, I do, I guess. Although I must say it’s never happened at work.
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http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1159175_edl_protest_in_manchester_as_it_happened
you guys should read this!
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Hmmm… I don’t think I am race conscious OR color blind, which leaves “raceless”. Not sure if that applies to me, though; I rarely see any other people as “exotic”. I might have my preference when it comes to looks (we all have), but that’s all. At least, that’s all I (consciously) care about. And yet, Implicit Association Test shows I have prejudice.
And who are the purple people?
PS- Sorry for commenting on an old post (again).
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There is absolutely nothing wrong with commenting on an old post.,
About purple people:
https://abagond.wordpress.com/2009/10/10/purple-people/
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Dude, you had me on track until the part about “blind racism”. Again, if you are racist, you cannot be blind to it. You can try to suppress the belief, but you cannot be blind to it.
Up until then, I had to agree with your 8th point
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Just because Im not race conscious (unless in a conversation about race/racism, or I notice racism) doesn’t mean that I hate being black, and that I’m ashamed of who I am. If people were confident in who they were, they wouldn’t let other people’s racism affect them. They are the ones with issues.
But I mean situations like where someone doesn’t get the job though they were qualified, or a person is harassed because of their race, I understand why they’d feel sad. Whenever anything racist happens and I notice, I’m pretty shocked.. I guess I always expect people to be good, and have logic to know that people aren’t like stereotypes.
It also makes me mad.. because I don’t understand why people could think that way. Bad upbringings? I mean my parents occasionally say racist things, but that doesn’t affect me at all. I know all people are different. I seperate stereotypes from the way people actually act.
I don’t get why racism persists at all. How the hell do people take stereotypes as legit? Everyone’s different.. seriously, name someone EXACTLY like someone else. identical twins don’t even have identical personalities. anyone who believes stereotypes defines people are idiots, since everyone in the world is different.
If nobody was racist, then everyone being colorblind would be a good thing. Since people wouldn’t be making offhand racist remarks, and wouldn’t mind if you wanted to marry their daughter, as no racism would exist. Has there always been racism, anyways? or where & when did it originate? Or does it have something to do like w/ outsiders..? But I mean we’re all humans.. ugh I just dont get the big deal about race and all.
The color of someone’s skin is as important as like someone having red hair, or brown hair. Its just a human characteristic.. big deal.
Also, how come the census only says African-American for black people? What about Africans? I dont even think the black descendants of slaves should be referred to as African anymore.. they are just part of what America is now. They are just Americans. Just like anyone else with American citizenship.. we don’t need to classify if they’re white, latino, etc. Cause then how come we don’t have censuses for the hair colors? or eye colors? hmm.
I’m part of an African family (parents are from Cameroon) and I feel like I’m pretty different from a lot of the black people I’ve seen like in my school for example. I mean I like who I am, but a lot of black stereotypes annoy me cause they aren’t even accurate to who I am, most of them. Even though I’m not really surprised since stereotypes aren’t right for a lot of people anyways. Like, black people like chicken? Haha who doesn’t like chicken? only vegetarians pretty much. But then there are some people who feel like you must make yourself fit the stereotype. Wtf?
Like BET. Oh gosh, BET. I dont think they should truly call themselves that, because I’ve watched it a few times and it wasn’t really entertaining to me. Why do they only play hiphop, rap, r&b, gospel, and soul? I mean I like some of that genre but not that much… like why don’t they play anything else? Those arent the only genres black people are in, but BET likes to disregard them and continue stereotypes. Thanks BET. Not.
I do what I want. Someone told me that it was “white” to listen to indie rock, which I love. I mean I listen to a lot of other stuff.. but lately I listen to a lot of british music, and mainly indie/alternative stuff. Anyways, people who think things like that, I’m sorry that they’re not comfortable enough with themselves to truly do what they want, because they’re too busy trying to uphold stereotypes. I think that is self-hating, not me, who’s following the beat of my own drum and proud of it.
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Dee:
I agree that racism, stereotypes and all the rest are utterly brainless. There is no sensible reason why skin colour should matter any more than eye colour.
But the thing is, people are still racist and they still believe in the stereotypes. That is because America did not fall from the sky – it grows out of an ugly past in which white people wanted to own slaves and yet still believe they were good people.
Even today whites want to believe they are good people, but to do that they have to believe that there is something wrong with blacks – because otherwise they would be forced to see that there is something very wrong with whites and most of them are unwilling to do that. Toni Morrison made this point beautifully in “The Bluest Eye”.
More here:
https://abagond.wordpress.com/2009/09/26/what-this-blog-has-taught-me-about-white-people/
and here:
https://abagond.wordpress.com/2008/07/05/white-people/
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abagond:
It bothers me when there are white people with ancestors who were slave-owners and all that, but they don’t appear to see it in a bad way, that what their ancestors did was wrong. Like they look to it with nostalgia or something..
Its why when I saw “Gone with the wind” it made me flinch.. I just watched the movie, but it bothered me how the times were racist.. but today the book & the movie are seen as really great things to treasure. Like how losing the Civil War was seen as a bad thing in the movie for the South. Seriously? I mean understand they’d be upset because they can’t live glamorous lives anymore, but what they were doing was wrong anyways, so they deserved it. And now the slaves are free!
I also don’t get the whole adoration of the Confederate flag that is in the South too. If anything, that is un-american, because its opposing the country we live in (treason!), and shows they are a racist because owning slaves was a main reason why the South wanted to split from the Union. I mean you don’t see a “North” flag.. or a “West” flag or an “East”. We have states for differentiation of places in America. And in each state, counties, followed by cities/towns/etc. And each state has its own flag, if they want to show their pride so much but only for a specific area. So owning a confederate flag is wrong on so many levels.
I mean Im not saying anyone is perfect.. but nowadays you’d think people are able to look back and be able to know what their ancestors did was wrong. I mean its not like the descendants of slaves are too happy either, or proud (well unless one of their ancestors is like.. Harriet Tubman) their ancestors were slaves. So are the white people who see what their ancestors did as totally fine, their either stupid & ignorant, or they don’t want their ancestors to be seen in a bad light so they try to ignore it. And when a lot of white people in the south are slave descendants.. and racism is more rampant in the south (apparently.. I havent been there before, I live in NJ), then that just means there’s more people to deny any wrongdoing of their relatives. Because they don’t want to be associated with that, and I understand, but don’t lie about it! I guess its easier to criticize people that are not closely related to you.
I’m going to get that book you recommended, it sounds interesting. Thanks for the info!
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Every human on earth today and for the last 300 years has been born into a world that has subtly programmed everyone -to some degree- with the White Superiority/ Black Inferiority mythology.
The new science is now telling us that no one escapes the beliefs and perceptions of his immediate family, local, national and world culture. Humans were wired to download uncensored information into our subconscious, from the last part of pregnancy up until about age 5-7. Therefore whatever those around us believed about themselves, their race and other races were all recorded
in our subconscious mind. And for the rest of our lives are like computer programs that operates every aspect of our lives.
Dictionaries, Bibles and other Western literature further reinforce negative self-programming into the minds of Negro/Blacks every day 24/365; while doing the opposite for whites. Therefore, no matter how much we try to deny its existence Negroes already have in their subconscious the most debased meaning attached to any group of mankind. And everyone else knows that too.
Consequently, acknowledging the negative programming (which no one could’ve avoided) is the best thing a Black Negro can do for him/her self. Since, he will only deprogram then reprogram, from the awareness that what he has been operating from, has not been good for himself or race.
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While I agree with your point, the other reality is this –
You can be race conscious, and completely racist.
You can ignore race, and not be racist.
These are both truths and realities.
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I think the author of this blog is racist as they state that whites can be racist. In my life experience blacks and mexicans are some of the biggest haters and racist there are.
Stop the hate and segregate.
How could I ever be a racist if I had never met a minority. (only in an ideal world)
Mutliculturalism breeds racism.
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Mutliculturalism breeds racism.
“Post hoc ergo propter hoc.”
Correlation is not causation.
But feel free to segregate all you want. Nobody is stopping you. Just leave the rest of us alone.
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Sounds like Preston is a little touched about what he’s read.
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[…] race conscious […]
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Abagond, nonwhites minorities in white countries are not race conscious in the same way white people are and your post doesn’t reflect it IMHO.
And I completely disagree with this: “You can be racist without thinking all that much about race.”
Wrong. Racists are always thinking about race.
PoC “race consciousness” is rooted in negative emotions, because we are made to feel inferior to the “norm” (whiteness), like a fat person becomes body conscious under the stares.
White race consciousness is a different animal altogether, for it carries a sense of absolute supriority over the “subhumans” (us!).
By its very nature, white racial consciousness can only lead to genocide of the inferior others.
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White racial conciousness in the USA is very weak compared to Jewish ethnocentrism that has been raised to the level of religion. Whites are the only group whose racial conciousness has been disallowed in the new multi-culture.
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White racial consciousness is second nature to whites to the point of almost being inherent. They are the default after all, they don’t have to promote whiteness dingbat.
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