I went bowling with a few co-workers and friends yesterday evening as we usually do on Thursdays. We were having a good time competing and keeping up with the NBA Finals scores. As the night neared its end, we noticed another party, a group of about 8 black males who were placing bets against each other to roll strikes, spares or have the high score. We noticed because there was a disagreement about a $5.00 bet and yelling ensued.
I digress, it reminded me of the scene in Barbershop when Lahmard Tate’s character, while stealing an ATM, drops the task to chase a man who owes him $5.00. When confronted about the situation he stated, “It’s not the money….. It’s the Principle.”
After viewing this situation escalate, my friend stated, “I hate when black people make a scene in front of white people.” When asked why, he continued “because it looks bad for all of us, based on what they perceive.” I could not agree more.
After witnessing this situation (framed with the conversation that followed) and thinking about the interview question posed by Jeff Ireland to Dez Bryant about his mother being a hooker, I began to ponder:
•Are perceptions of African Americans so bad that Ireland should feel entitled that he could address a matter like that (where is his tact)?
•Why is an inquiry like that even okay to be asked (regardless of how much the interviewee is being paid)?
•What are you doing as a Black male or woman to dispel these negative perceptions (I’m not perfect, so I subject myself to the same question)?
•Will media mediums ever change their disposition on how African Americans are portrayed?
•Is this really the year 2010?
My belief and concern is that the African American population, as is any other, is one that is very diverse. We are not a homogenous group in any way and there is no ‘one size fits all’ blanket that covers us in its entirety. It angers me that encounters like the bowling alley experience only reinforce the negative views that exist about our community. These perceptions infiltrate all arenas as evident in the Ireland-Bryant interview. In order to keep from situations like these from happening, let’s hold ourselves accountable to one another and give our counterparts a reason to dispel their pessimistic perceptions.
Stereotyping, which is always negative even when supposed "positive traits" are put forth, will continue as long as society holds on to the malicious fantasy of race.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you and others see yourselves as "black" and others as "white," "hispanic," "oriental," etc; people will make generalizations. This is because, in order for a group to be a group, there has to be something that ties them together.
While this organization's intentions may be well-meaning, it will only serve to work against its own aims. This organization serves to keep stereotypes alive by subscribing to the fallacious idea of race.
You are human, not black. And unless you're from Africa then your not "African-American," but American.
InLaw raises a good point.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I disagree with your friends statement: “I hate when black people make a scene in front of white people...because it looks bad for all of us.”
I don't like when anyone makes a scene. If an individual chooses to make generalization about a race because of a few experiences, it is none of my concern.
You said: "We are not a homogenous group.."
I agree. I believe everyone should realize this...