We read two articles last week, both of them about race. The first article written by a middle aged black woman was filled with tension. She rants about how America's fortune was built on the backs of slaves and how she will never call herself an American. This article made me uncomfortable and somewhat angry. I understand there is a lot going on that I may be unaware of as a young white female, but it seems that if she is so unhappy with the freedoms she has or has not been given perhaps she should relocate to someplace where she would be happy. Maybe it's naive of me, but if you dont like something, dont just sit there and blame others for it, effect a change. Don't get me wrong, I am wholey against all forms of racism. I know that African Americans suffered many great injustices, and still do, but I would like to believe that the majority of people judge others by their character and not the color of their skin! I felt uncomfortable, because even though it may not have been intended for me to be her audience, I had to read it, and felt like she was attacking me on some kind of personal level. I am very patriotic and can not thank our service men and women enough for all they do, but she seemed to miss the fact that she is one of the many people they are fighting for. It just seemed she had nothing to be greatful for, so perhaps she should really try counting her blessings before picking out all the flaws.
The second essay written by a white man is somewhat laughable. It comes across as a white man trying to be "down" with the African American poplutation. He says all this stuff about how it's up to them to take the next step and basically we've done all we can for them, it's up to them now. It is asinine. He jumps back and forth with the "white" we and the "all inclusive" we. I felt embarrased for him. He seemed to not have a clue. Like the author from the previous essay it seems that while both wanted change they placed the blame on someone else for it not happening.
The woman in the first essay should move to another country if America is so hard for her to be African-American here. She lives in the past when she never actually lived through the times she talks about, I can understand why she is sour about the things our country has done in the past but times have obviously changed.
ReplyDeleteI think the woman in the first essay was brought up to think in this particular manor. In the times of segration, this woman was but a small child. For her to have such resentment, she had to have been taught this from her parents. There is nothing that can be changed of the past and for this woman to lay claim that she is entitled to so much more, and how she has not benefited from what it means to be an American, than she has not been keeping an open eye. It seems that no matter what America decides to do to remedy this situation, it will never be good enough for her.
ReplyDeleteNot to be mean, but if she talks of how her family was drug here against their will, she has not fully looked into the slavery issue. Sure some people were kidnapped and brought here, but others were sold to the industry by their fellow African tribes. Maybe she herself should leave this great country or deported if she feels the way she does. Obviously it's not that bad if she continues to live here.
I feel as though it is not her fault that she thinks like this as well. I agree that she was brought up like this, but if she really does believe what she was saying about not liking this country then she is free to go back to africa. I wonder if she would like living in the ivory coast wehre there is fighting everyday, just like a lot of africa. She can go there and fight and hunt for her food if she would rather live there than in this country where there is a mcdonaldsor star bucks on every other corner.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that the woman who wrote the first article was very angry. How many of those who don't help themselves should be helped. When something is wrong, what is the usual to do? I don't believe it pays to complain about or to the wrong people. They should attempt to correct that wrong in a positive way, or possibly be deemed just as incorrect as what is needing to be corrected. It isn't anything new and doesn't seem to be going away any time soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments guys. They are well thought out and i appreciate the viewpoints.
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