We Have A Long Way To Go....

  

Just as the Donald Sterling fiasco has simmered down, a new racial incident has come to light.  Popular singer and resident jackass, Justin Bieber, who is not a stranger to trouble and/or controversy, is back in the news.  This time for making ugly racial comments several years ago.  TMZ.Com was able to obtain a video, of a then 14 year old Bieber repeatedly saying the word "nigger".  Apparently, he was doing a "bit", singing his hit song, "One Less Lonely Girl".  In the video clip he sings, "There'll be one less lonely nigger...", and to add the proverbial "cherry on top", he adds, "If I kill you, I'll be part of the KKK."  To see the entire video clip, click on this link:  CLICK HERE.

I know that I am going to hear the familiar arguments and/or excuses regarding this incident.  Such as:  (1) This was six years ago...why are we bringing this up now?  (2) Again...why is it OK for African Americans to say "nigger" and white people cannot?  Or (3) Privacy Issues/Freedom of Speech...BLAH-BLAH-BLAH.  To answer Questions #2 and #3, I would have to write an entire new blog post addressing those questions, which I won't do.  To answer Question #1, I believe that people are bringing it up again, because this was not to be the last incident of him using the word "nigger".  According to CNN.Com, a year later, he was caught on tape asking "Why are black people afraid of chain saws?", for which he answered, "Run Nigger, Nigger, Nigger, Nigger...", which is supposed to simulate the sound of a chain saw.

I could go off on some militant rant, where I rail against Justin Bieber, but that is low hanging fruit.  This blog post is to address the institutional racism that is still ever present in American Society.  Despite progress insofar as the advancement of African Americans in American Society, and the cultivation of positive relationships among different races and ethnic groups, statements made by Donald Sterling, and Justin Bieber, or incidents such as the Trayvon Martin murder (Yes...I said "murder") illustrate one thing....WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO!!!

African Americans, after almost 400 years in this country, are mainstreaming more into the whole of American Society more than ever before.  Oprah Winfrey is revered among people of all races.  There are African American CEO's of Fortune 500 Companies.  The most famous athletes in the world, arguably, are African Americans.  An African American was elected to the Office of President of the United States.  With all of these accomplishments, many feel that racism is over, or that we live in a "Post-Racial Society".  Nothing can be farther from the truth.  In 2013, Oprah Winfrey was attacked by Conservative Nut Job/Circus Ring Leader, Rush Limbaugh, in response to Oprah making honest, yet non-threatening comments about racism in America (CLICK HERE to read the article).  Regarding African American CEO's of Fortune 500 companies, currently there are only six African American CEO's of Fortune 500 (1.2%) Companies (CLICK HERE to read the article).  It is great that many of the most famous athletes in the world are African Americans, but African American ownership is a rare breed.  In the National Basketball Association (NBA), out of 30 teams, there is only one majority African American owner, in a league in which 77-78% of the players are African American.  In the National Football League (NFL), 66% of the players are African American, yet there are NO African American majority owners.  And yes...we have an African American President, although it only took 219 years and 42 Presidents for that to occur, but whose counting.  Further, while Candidate Barack Obama was running for the presidency, he was placed under Secret Service protection earlier than any other presidential candidate in history, due to violent threats, because of his race (Jesse Jackson, while running for the presidency, also received early Secret Service protection, for the same reason).  The historic election of President Barack Obama, which provided the United States an opportunity to show the best of what this country could offer, brought out the ugliness that was bubbling under the surface.  According to the Southern Poverty Legal Center, a renowned organization which tracks hate groups across the United States, reported that the "...number of 'Patriot' groups, including armed militias, skyrocketed following the election of President in 2008-rising 813%, from 149 groups in 2008 to an all-time high of 1,360 in 2012.  The number fell to 1,096 in 2013."

I know for those who disagree with my assessment of race relations in America, they will think or I will hear the familiar, yet sad counterpoints.  Counterpoints such as:  (1) "Can THEY get over this?"  (2) "He only supports President Obama because he is African American?"  And my personal favorite, (3) "He is playing the race card?"  Let me address the last point.  The "Race Card"-CARD, is the counterpoint that always makes me laugh.  It is a clear example of "White Conservative Guilt", a level of guilt which presents itself by anger, excuses, and hyper-defense.  I will acknowledge that there are some within the African American community who use racism as a way to advance their agenda(s).  It is something that I despise, because it trivializes the  legitimate struggle for racial equality.  But the majority of African Americans are not interested in playing cards, certainly the so-called "race card".  Let's just say that this "race card" does exist, and that African Americans are willing to throw it anytime we feel that racism is the issue. African Americans can throw all of the so-called cards we want, but it doesn't matter, because the institutional deck has been set, and the house always wins.  This so-called "card" is meaningless in a society where the socio-political and economic landscape is controlled by White Americans (LET'S BE CLEAR!!!)  African Americans did not fight and die for equality, simply to play a card.  We fought for equality.  We fought to be in the game.  We fought to make sure the deck was not set, to make sure that the "pit bosses" were not fixing the game. African Americans want the opportunity to own their own metaphoric asinos, right along with White Americans and other racial groups.  The "race card" defense mechanism is as damaging to White Americans as the improper charges of racism made by some Africans Americans.  For decades, and even centuries, African Americans were told to "stand down"...to "shut up".  What some may consider playing the race card, are African Americans simply saying, and will continue to say...NO MORE!!!

In fact, many in the African American Community want our White brothers and sisters to be as pissed off as we are about the racial climate that still exists in this country.  We would rather have White Americans with us, instead of making charges of racism against the White Community.  Unfortunately, some in the White Community do not have the courage to stand up to racism, because of fears of being thought of or labeled as a "traitor" (at worse) or a "liberal" (at best).  Some are fearful that relationships could be severed among friends and family members if they choose to stand up for an issue as polarizing as racism and for a righteous cause such as equality (Especially with regards to racism against African Americans).  We know that there were many White Americans during the Civil Rights Movement who had the courage to stand with us.  They took beatings, they faced isolation from their friends and family, and some even died for the movement.  We need that level of commitment today, although we don't necessarily ask our White brothers and sisters to die on our behalf, we simply ask them to truly make an attempt to understand.  To show some empathy, and to realize what Dr. King said, when he said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."  Listening to rap music, liking soul food, or having some "black friends" is not sufficient.  There are people who love Mexican food, yet hate the "wetbacks" who cook the food, and feel that they are responsible for taking all of the food jobs in the country (That's another conversation for another day).  As Justin Bieber is realizing, singing his form of R&B music, having rappers collaborate on his songs, wearing "urban clothing", and coming under the mentorship of Usher, doesn't mean squat, if you embrace attitudes and use words that undermine the very people (and culture) who have helped you in your rise to fame.  America has to understand, that we still have a long way to go in addressing and coming to grips with racism.  How?  By talking to each other, instead of talking about each other.  To educate each other without being so offended, that we don't listen to each other.  We need to start developing a level of racial and cultural empathy that creates a level of racial integrity in all of us, where we can be friends in public, and not call each other "nigger" or "cracker" in private.

Again, progress has been made, but the Donald Sterlings, Justin Biebers, and George Zimmermans of the world serve as reminders that we have a long road ahead of us.  As Americans, we will have to decide whether that road will be a bumpy one, or a paved one.

And that's THE MARC-UP!!!  Meeting adjourned.