A White wacko talks about racism

Hopefully the title got your attention!!

I've wanted to talk about racism in my blog for awhile, but I've been avoiding the issue for various reasons. One of those reasons is because talking about race is an uncomfortable subject. It’s nearly impossible for a black person to discuss race with a white person, without suffering the consequences of being labeled a whiner, or an overly sensitive black person with a chip on his/her shoulder.

It’s a tad bit easier for me, as a fellow Caucasian, to breech the subject with white people, simply because there is a certain amount of authenticity and authority vested to me by the dominant culture--that black/brown people generally aren’t allowed. In other words-- I can talk to white people about race and discrimination without fearing the backlash of a physical or verbal assault or, perhaps even social alienation. The worst that might happen is I’ll be labeled a wacko. Ah well…what else is new??

A substantial percentage of white people don't understand that black and brown people don’t talk about racism as an abstract concept like white people do. Rather, racism is a phenomenon that they live within every day of their lives. Racism is a defining element in their experiences and they cannot just simply dismiss and ignore it once they walk out of their African American studies class. I know this because I have seen racism played out firsthand since being with Khalid.

The current news story about the African-American professor, Henry Louis Gates, who was arrested in his own home, accused of burglary and then arrested on charges of disorderly conduct inspired me to plunge into the unsettled waters of racism. If you haven’t read or heard about it yet(unlikely), here’s a link:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/07/21/2009-07-21_charges_dropped_against_harvard_professor_henry_louis_gates_jr.html

I have heard most of the controversies surrounding this incident, and have become uncomfortable with how the media is trying to downplay and soften the significance of this event. In my opinion, this was racial profiling in its most blatant form. It is faulty logic to assume, that because the officer involved taught classes about racial profiling he could not possibly be guilty of racism. A wolf in sheep's clothing can still indulge a hankering for lamb chops.

Racial profiling is not some mythological creature that appears occasionally on the silver screen, it is a living entity that breathes behind our beloved flag of liberty. Normally, racism is not a conspicuous presence within our contemporary society: as it was in earlier eras -- and while it is no longer publically condoned it has slipped begrudgingly underground. Racial acts are commonly cloaked behind disparaging rhetoric and deflected by people who do not admit that marginalization and exploitation are necessary in an ever-expanding, super-capitalistic economy.

I will give an example: Khalid and I went to Chili’s Restaurant in Syracuse a few weeks ago. As I am relating this story please keep in mind the restaurant was not at all busy! The white waitress finally came by to greet us and gave us some menus. Her greeting consisted of a very begrudging welcome to Chili’s. She basically threw the menus at us and quickly departed. After another long absence she came back and took our order. We waited another half an hour before the cook brought out our plates of food. Personally, we did not see the waitress for the rest of the evening, despite the fact that she was very cordial and accommodating to the white couple behind us. In order to get the check, Khalid had to find another waitress and ask for the manger. It was small comfort that we ate for free that night.

A white couple would not have worried that the poor service was a result of their race. A white couple would have assumed the poor service was a result of being overworked or having a bad day. They would have paid their bill, left a small tip and gone on with the rest of their day. For minorities it is not that easy. Within the background always lies the possibility that the events that unfold within their lives are caused by racism. Is the rude woman who waited on me racist or is she just having a bad day? Is the police officer who pulled me over practicing racial profiling? Did I get incarcerated because of my race? Did my co-worker get the promotion because he’s white? The questions go on and on.

There are no easy answers and oftentimes no clear cut distinctions in contemporary American society about what is racist. There are always explanations and excuses to cover up racist agendas. The only thing that is certain: racism is not dead—nor is it sleeping.