I never really meant for my blog to get too deep on such topics but a recent event has sparked the writing of this piece.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines racism as a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. Deep. We all know racism is still alive and thriving even if we don’t experience it on a regular basis. I don’t know about you guys but I’d rather know up front that I have a racist person on my hands than to not know. Those silent racists are the worst! How do you know to watch your back???
I won’t dive into full-out details of what happened but in a nutshell the N word was used in the telling of a story. The storyteller was neither white nor black. My ears perked up upon hearing the word but I didn’t feel disrespected in any way. However, another person who wasn’t even in the room listening to the story did take MAJOR offense. When I say major I mean some “I don’t care…I’ll go to jail” ish. Huh? You weren’t even in the room! There’s not even a recording so you can hear a playback! You’ll go to jail? Wow…deep, right? That was way too much for me at 6:45 in the morning. I had to leave the room.
We give words so much power. I’ll say it again…we give words so much power. When will people understand that when we shine the spotlight on anything we give it so much more importance than it may even actually deserve. As we mature and encounter different experiences in life we have to make adult decisions on what battles we choose to fight. Do we blow up and risk losing our jobs and going to jail or do we communicate that using such language is unacceptable and we’re not comfortable with it? I choose communication. FACT: Ignorant people will never grow out of their ignorance unless we educate them.
It is my belief the storyteller is not racist. Others may disagree. *shrugs* I don’t condone racism in any form. Racism is a way to take the hate of yourself and your own life out on someone else. What is gained from putting down a race of people? Not a damn thing. And for those of you who put down your own race…well shame on you times two.
Take pride in your race and respect the races to which you don’t belong. Don’t empower words which don’t deserve it.
Photograph courtesy of: http://paragonanubis.files.wordpress.com/
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