Say it Loud…
A student of mine was wondering aloud one afternoon. She wondered about the different rules and standards to which black and white folks had to live up to. She says, for instance, that it is fine for black folks to say “I’m proud to be black” but when white folks say “I’m proud to be white” people get uncomfortable. She says that whites seem racist when they proclaim pride in their heritage but when blacks do the same, they are considered regal and confident. It seems that as we have crossed over to the new millennium, racial equality sometimes plays out in a rather imbalanced way.
All the talk of reverse-racism in the US means that we are always checking ourselves to see if we ourselves, so often the victims of racism, are free from that same sin. For instance, often when I write, I have to be careful with using the word “black” to refer to people of African descent. I always want to capitalize the “B”. But whenever I use the word “white” I am never tempted to capitalize the “W”. What does this say about me? And when I remind myself that it seems unfair to say “Black” and “white”, another part of me says there is so much historical power in “Black” that we have earned the right to capitalize the B. I remain uncomfortable though. So, to solve the dilemma I usually just use lower case for both words. Keep them equal, I tell myself. But they are never equal.
Recently, Republican congressman Geoff Davis had to apologize to Barack Obama for saying, “That boy’s finger does not need to be on the [nuclear] button.” Of course the worst part of this statement is not “the button” but “the boy.” What is more offensive is not the reference to Obama’s foreign policy abilities but the painful historical memories of referring to a black man as a boy. Appalling. Congressman Davis apologized profusely. But here’s the flip side: Last night I was watching HBO boxing with my husband. In typical fashion, the weeks leading up to the fight were filled with trash talk from both fighters, which HBO gleefully aired. Bernard Hopkins, a black man, said he would never let this “white boy” (Joe Calzaghe) beat him. If Calzaghe had called Hopkins a “black boy” HBO would have had to edit that out, for sure. They did not think twice when it was the other way round.
So back to my student’s concern. How healthy, really, are race relations when one group has earned the right to “Say it Loud, I’m Black and Proud” while the other group seems uncomfortable in their own acclamations of ethnic pride. If all is well, and race has been erased, and we can stomp proudly into a free and equal American dream, why do we still tiptoe?
I can’t help but to think if black people are racist when they say “I’m black and I’m proud!” It is automatically thought of as white people to be racist if they were to say “I’m white and I’m proud.” It is uncomfortable for a white person to hear black people say that phrase and to my understanding most black people don’t really care because it’s not something they are afraid of. They are proud of their skin color and they are proud from where they came from. In the past, I’d learned that some black people were ashamed of their skin color and wish they could change it. When famous James Brown made “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” which held the number one spot in R&B single chart for six weeks, it was known as one of the “black power” anthems.
If a white person say they are proud to be white, it is as if they are proud of the history that their ancestors made by slaving blacks, or it is because of another reason (which I wouldn’t know of). I remember saying the phrase out loud around my friend, (who is white) she responded that she is proud to be white. I asked her why, she simply responded that the history shall remain in the past and all skin colors should look to the future on how to embrace diversity. Still avoiding my question on why she is proud to be white, I asked her again. She told me that she has no reason to be ashamed of her skin color, and why should she suffer from what her ancestors done? She called me racist for saying the phrase, which I don’t think I am. I love my brown chocolate skin color and I wouldn’t want to change it for the world. If saying “I’m black and I’m proud,” make me racist then I guess I’m racist. In today’s society it should not be a problem of being racist.
I also notice Stephanie comment on capitalizing the B on black when writing but do not capitalize the W in white. I have notice that in all the books and articles I’ve read about identity concerning race, the author always capitalize the B or all the letters in black will be capitalize. I was always taught in grammar school that we should always capitalize the B when writing the word black. In the millennium we should think of everybody as equal but no matter how many times we say we all are equal, I don’t believe that we are as equal as it seem to be. Color people will always be on a different level then whites.
The only reason this country still tip-toe around the issues of race is only due to the lack of responsibility that America has made towards apologizing or owning up to the oppression and dysfunction it has brought into the lies of Blacks throughout the Diaspora. I am always amazed at how some, not all, white Americans feel excluded or picked on when challenged by such questions as if all should be forgiven when we have to adjust our lives due to the lack of privilege we receive in comparison to their privilege. In addition, it is irritating to have to address such an issue around the term “I’m Black and I’m proud” because it has historical significance in the Black community that I assume when analyzed we should all arrive at a clear perspective in terms of significance and meaning.
When analyzing the terms used to address Black pride versus white pride it is clear that the terms used to proclaim that pride is based on historical significance. Terms such as I’m Black and I’m proud, in my opinion, is not so much to proclaim to the world how proud we are as it is to proclaim to one another how proud and beautiful we are to each other. To use such passionate terms to proclaim white pride, in my opinion, is only to mimic what Blacks have done historically to uplift each other. In addition, it is seen as racist or upholding some form of white supremacy because the Black community continue to be oppressed and disenfranchised by the white community, so in that case it’s problematic. Why should we see things anything different when things haven’t changed as much? Systems haven’t changed as it has been revamped and implemented in alternative ways. How can we then be expected to view the white community, as a collective group, differently when systemically we continue to be beat down by them.
Furthermore, I feel that excuses are being made just to avoid confronting the issues which in turn opens opportunities to try and turn the tables on the Black community labeling us racist if we view such terms as “boy” or “white pride” as being racist. Never once do I sense that ownership and responsibility to our oppression is being taking by the white community. Therefore, when things happen in which whites may not be able to understand it is then misconstrued regardless of how contradictory it is.
Lastly capitalizing the “B” in Black has never been an issue for me. Black is used as a
I believe that race is still an issue in the US. Though we live in an equal country race still seems to be a problem everyday. I am a white woman and I am proud of my race but I see myself no different than a black woman of my age.
Though this country says that there is no racism, I still see it happening almost everyday, and I find it sad and dishearting.
I think the problem is the fact that we live in a hypocritical country I mean this society claims that we live in an equal opportunity country; well if that’s the case then why hasn’t there been a person of color in the presidency for the past forty two presidencies. Why is it, if a black female is dating a white male or vice versa there are people who look at it as a problem? In this country we have so many issues with race that is not as apparent as it was in the days of segregation; but it is still here and I think the reason we cant address it is because we don’t respect each other period. People are still stereotyping, discriminating, and racial profiling; and it’s all because we are divided and can’t seem to just see our selves as people rather than labels. In reference to the
“I’m black and I’m proud” phrase I never thought of it as a racist comment and don’t think it should be considered one, although I can see why it could be considered one. But the reason we say it is because there was a time where we were considered an inferior race and should be ashamed of our race and existence so when we say we are black and proud we are speaking of how far we have come as black people; saying I’m black and I’m proud is not to be racist or arrogant its to show that we are proud of our black heritage and are not afraid to express that. However when a white person says that they are white and are proud I don’t think of it as a racist comment, I think of it as an arrogant comment; call me a hypocrite if you like but if you are white chances are you will rarely in your lifetime be discriminated against, not be given a job because of your skin color, wont be stopped by the police because of your race and wont ALWAYS be the main statistic for diseases, drugs, incarceration, and crimes. I mean there is nothing wrong with being proud of who you are but this is one reason in my opinion why black people might find saying being white and proud a little hard to swallow. Maybe someday we can surpass race issues in this country but I know it will be a very long time from now.
Obviously, race hasn’t been erased. I think people feel it’s ok for black people to say this, due to the past. It could be a way of saying that I’m black, and although all this has happened in the past, we are still pushing forward in the world and doing great things. I think people think it’s not ok for white people to say it because some could view it as them saying that they are proud of what has happened in the past and proud of what their ancestors have done to black people. It’s not a secret that white people, as a whole, have it easier in many aspects. I think some black people, although they may not be racist, hold a tiny grudge against white people for getting opportunities just because of the color of their skin when a black person could do the job as well, or maybe even better, than that white person.
That reminds me of how I heard about a discussion being brought up about scholarships that are offered to black, hispanic, or asian people, but there aren’t any offered specifically to white people. If there was a scholarship that said it was only for white people, that would cause an uproar among people right?
I don’t know….I just think it’s all due to history. That and the view that white is seen as the “norm” to the nation as a whole. In some ways, I feel that you can only proclaim that you are proud of something if it was something that you have achieved that seemed very hard or impossible to obtain. One could have this point of view: when looking at where black people have been to where they are now, black people do have a right to proclaim that they are proud if the need be and if they are. Black people are still fighting to overcome obstacles that continue to be present and arise every day. When you look at the history of white people, where they have been to where they are now, can you see a big hardship that they have had to endure or overcome? What obstacles are they facing today that are against them? Not saying that you have to have pain, big obstacles, etc. in order to be proud of your race, but you know… That’s one way of looking at it. I’m trying to stay neutral on the subject really.
I think we tiptoe because we still stereotype and we don’t talk to each other. Then again, if we talked maybe it wouldn’t do anything but cause more problems. So maybe it’s good we don’t talk?
I guess in the end, I think we should all just be able to proclaim that “I’m ‘your name,’ and I’m proud” because you should be proud of who you are. Color, lack of color, assets, flaws, and all.
I personally have no problem with Black people saying “I’m Black and I’m proud” for one simple reason…history.
In the past, Black people would have never been allowed to say such a statement without being severely punished for it. Furthermore, slavery and plantation states of mind made it a negative thing for Black people to be Black. Which led to many Black people hating themselves and what they were simply because they were Black.
White people on the other hand never had an oppressive system that made it sub-human for them to be White. So without meaning to sound harsh, I’ve never seen the point in White people saying “I’m proud to be White.”
I honestly think the statement is somewhat awkard either way. Almost every black person is proud to be black and almost every white person is proud to be white. I am not sure this is something that needs to be proclaimed. In order to have total equality within the U.S., I think people need to stop being so proud of one race or the other and just be proud of America as a whole.
I do feel weird when a white person says I’m proud to be white, but I feel the same when a black person says I’m proud to be black. For me, I think all of this goes unsaid
I know i’m late… but i did mean to comment on this earlier. I have had this debate with many a white friend and after much conversation we’ve come to this conclusion…. all of my white friends know their specific ethnicity…. they know they are dutch, irish, british, french, italian, or whatever else…. all i know is I AM BLACK… My father’s people are from arkansas and my mother’s people are from mississippi. If you look at it this way… then white people do have their own way of saying “I’m proud to be white” I’ve seen many shirts with the words “kiss me i’m irish”. One of my best friends has a very non offensive shirt that reads “If you ain’t Dutch, you ain’t Much” But I can’t go around claiming “I’m kenyan and proud… or I’m Muaritanian and proud” because I don’t know. To me, the word black acts as a generalization whereas white people don’t realy need generilizations because they know. So while “White and proud” might be offensive, it’s not as if they have no other options. What else do I have but black and proud? “I’m half mississipian and half arkansasian proud?”
I have no more to add to this discussion, but I think it’s so important to be brought up. The whole “reverse-racism” passes through all of our minds, whether black or white, at some point in time.
Even myself, when I’m walking down the street, I need people to see that I am not racist in any way, so I make it a point of saying “hello” to non-whites. But what the hell is that?! “I’m only saying hello to you because many people dislike you because of your skin color.” Don’t get me wrong, I say hello to white folks as well! I just try to be kind and open, but looking at the situation, it seems very forced. I wish that whole reverse-racism concept wouldn’t cross my mind. I wish that I would say hello to anyone and everyone at any time without any thought. But that (obviously) shows that there are major unresolved conflicts that may always lie within us and our history.
I believe we still tiptoe because those issues that we seem to think have gotten better or are gone are still there. True the whole racial in equality isnt as bad as it used to be. god knows that its not but still we still see racism in some shape, form, or fashion and that is why there are still “tiptoe” issues. I believe it will always be this way until issues are completely squashed and dead.
I think that both blacks and whites are held to a different standard. I find it a little annoying that all whites should feel responsible for slavery. I mean, obviously it was a horrible thing, a disgusting thing and should be taken seriously, but I don’t believe that any of my ancestors lived in the South or even had slaves for that matter. In fact, one of my direct ancestors, my great-(great, great, great, etc.) grandmother was hanged in the Salem Witch trials. Some of my other ancestors were killed by Native Americans (I only know this because my grandma is really into heritage), but should I hold any one responsible for something that didn’t even happen to me? Do I even feel bad that it happened to my ancestors? No. People have been oppressed, taken into slavery, killed for no reason, for thousands of years. If everyone goes back far enough then I’m sure one of their ancestors has had something terrible happen to them. So comments about we should feel bad about what are ancestors have done are a little ridiculous to me. I think the only way we will be more equal in the future is if we don’t look so much into the past. Never forget the past, of course, but don’t refer back to it all of the time. I wish that people didn’t focus so much on skin color, because I think that it is the root of the problem. Before the election journalists were interviewing people in Grant Park and one African-American woman said she voted for Obama because he is black. I mean, obviously he was the best candidate, in my opinion, and if that gets him more votes then I guess that’s a good thing. But why did everything have to be about him being black? I mean obviously it’s an extremely historic moment in time, the first African-American president. But really, why does everything have to be about someone’s skin color? I have no problem with people being proud to be black or white, and I think both blacks and whites should be proud of their heritage.