And I’m not talking about the movie.
So, funny hilarious story, Tumblr. I (an African American woman) just went out with my boyfriend (a white man). We went out to an Irish pub to have a few drinks and maybe play some pool. After we’d had a few drinks, a random (white) guy and his (white) date sat down to watch the game.
Good for them.
My boyfriend and I were having a conversation about various heinous social and economic inequalities. Specifically the heightened and disgusting levels of racism that have been only increasing in the States. Increased police brutality against Poc, Continuing whitewashing in the media, Mitt Romney, the conservatives and Tea Party and all the implications therein. Really we were having a mutual rant about the absurdities and hopelessnes of some people. It got to a point where we were talking about some of the clearly racist motivations behind Obama hate that have arisen (namely racism). We were talking a little loudly because the football game playing was pretty loud. Whatever.
Anyway, as we’re talking about how hideous it is that there have been people symbolically lynching empty chairs (see Clint Eastwood) in their front lawns and other threats of violence that (if the president were white) would have been treated as acts of treason. Really it doesn’t matter what we were talking about. The topic was racism and how it is very real and very scary and disgusting in this country.
Anyway, the nice, white rich-looking gentleman next to us turns over and says “Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but do you really think it’s that racial of an issue?”
Both of us immediately reply “Yes.” knowing how this is about to go. He goes on to ask if we’ve had any experience with these things and we begin to explain to him the plethora of instances in which either of us has experienced systematic or personal racism. Of course he bowls over us to tell us that we have no experience and have no idea what we’re talking about. And that it is WE that are being racist for talking about it in public, after all racism is over and the things we’re talking about are antiquated and irrelevant now.
Wow. My world flipped upside-down
This guy is so smart. I instantly wanted to thank him for pointing out (without letting me speak, mind) that I was so wrong. It had never occurred to me that my personal lived experiences of racism in the US could be invalid. Just because I’ve seen it with my own eyes, heard it with my own ears doesn’t mean that its true. That’s like saying that if you let go of an apple and watch it drop, then there’s probably gravity or something—ABSURD. White people are ever-glowing angels of purity who have never committed acts of bigotry, all those things we were talking about were misunderstood expressions of free speech (which, as a rule of white free speech, I am not allowed to criticize). The lynching of an empty chair, while a clear symbol of hate and harm-wishing toward the POTUS is totally not racism (despite the CLEAR racial history of such an act). Lawl, silly me.
Also, I was really glad he interrupted our private conversation to interject his completely requested opinion. Because without it, I would have continued to float through the world thinking that I was a victim of continued systematic racial oppression. Not only that, but I would have continued to be deluded that in the year 2012, someone like MITT FUCKING ROMNEY should not be in any way, by any person considered to be a viable candidate for president of the US. I mean really, who am I to think that I should be considered equally to those of other races, especially white people. Whew, I’m really glad we met this guy.
Also, good thing he told me that I had no idea what I was talking about. Because his welcome interruption showed that he certainly did.
Anyway, Universe, thanks for that.
#takeaseat