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I want to be clear, because it probably sounds that way...I do not accuse these college kids of being racist, at least not in a literal sense. I'm not under the opinion that they held this costume party out of a hatred of black people. My concern is that this party is indicative of the general ignorance and indifference society has been garnering over the last couple of decades toward the issue of racism against blacks. It is still a sensitive issue whether you like it or not. And it has not gone away. Spend a little time in the rural south and you will see what I mean. And I'm not so naive as to believe those are the only areas in which it still exists. I've sat through many mind bending conversations with people from all over who don't consider themselves racist but complain about the NAACP and even BET(?!), coolly disregarding the very real purpose and circumstances that led to the formations of these organizations (ie, a very real and prevalent racial bias and a lack of media outlets that come from a black perspective). There are people my own age whose parents were brought up in a society where racism was institutionalized and stereotypical portrayals of them in popular culture were totally acceptable. Yet, what? They aren't getting over it fast enough? I think I might have a little chip on my shoulder, too. Anyone would. And I think I would be on the lookout for it, too, maybe even sometimes where it wouldn't exist. So what? Sue me.
I hate to think this, but I can't help it. And I'm just going to say it because I'm getting over a flu, I feel like crap this morning and I don't much care what anyone thinks of it. When I contemplate just what it is that makes people these days apologists for subtle racism, the only thing I can come up with is that white folks still don't like it when black folks get "uppity." If they'd just shut up and live quietly within the parameters left to them by hundreds of years of oppression, humiliation and mockery then maybe white people would be able to pity them with more sincerity and conviction. Is that it? If anyone has any other ideas I'd be glad to consider them, but it's the only thing I've come up with.
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Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce
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