Interracial Relationships Today

             I was skimming a magazine earlier this week and came across a picture of Heidi Klum and Seal. They are the symbol of interracial relationships in America today, and this image led me to think about these types of relationships in our society. I researched this topic and immediately came across an article from the February 8, 2006 edition of USA Today titled “New Generation doesn’t blink at Interracial Relationships.”

            This title threw me off guard; I think that there are certainly more interracial relationships today than in the past 20 or 30 years, but I still think there is a lot of progress that needs to be made. An indication of this is towards the middle of the article when one researcher says that interracial “friendships don't necessarily lead to a reduction in negative attitudes toward a racial group, because people view their own friends as an exception to whatever stereotype may exist.” This is somewhat disconcerting because I want to believe that having friends of different races is progressive, but that may not always be the case. Even though the writer claims that we don’t “blink” in regards to interracial relationships, evidence of stereotyping proves otherwise.

            On another note, the author interviews researchers who believe that people who try to follow King’s advice and ignore race are doing an injustice to society because it may create “a generation so unconcerned about race that it ignores disparities that still exist.” I don’t necessarily agree with this point because I think ignoring race is one of the first steps to breaking down those negative stereotypes that obviously still exist.

            I think more high school and college-aged students are becoming involved in interracial friendships, which will hopefully lead to breaking down social barriers that still exist in some areas. Klum and Seal set a great example to the American population about the possibility of a more color-neutral society.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-02-07-colorblind_x.htm

"Women are Beautiful, Men are Men"

The Black Power Era brought about the rise of the phrase "Black is Beautiful." Many people viewed this expression, initially, as a tool of empowerment and acceptance of the natural biological make-up and physical uniqueness of the African-American. However, I am convinced that this movement turned into a tool used to measure the social acceptance of the black woman. It went from men and women wearing afros and dashikis to men setting the ideal measurements and hair length of the African-American woman. It went from African-American nationalism to a national announcement about the amount of women who do not meet up to the standards set by society.

In the movie that I watched, The Imitation of Life, a young, really bright-skinned African-American girl grew up convincing herself that she was white. She had seen the struggles of her mother and she knew how black people were treated so she told herself that she hated black people. By creating this living psychological battle within her mind, she continued to "pass" as white on into her adulthood. The point of my bringing up this movie is to bring attention to the storyline and the title. This young black girl was imitating a white woman and the movie was named The Imitation of Life, symbolizing that being white is living and being black is death. Not to mention, her black mother dies at the end of the movie. This movie was created in 1959, only about a half of a decade before the "Black is Beautiful" black nationalism movement began. I believe that there were still some women who were confused about what they really wanted in life during the late 60's. While blacks were convincing themselves to embrace their blackness, men were convincing women to look like the stereotypical and socially-acceptable woman. Not only was the girl in The Imitation of Life wanting to be white, but she also wanted to be accepted, and she knew that she could with her perfect-colored, "just-below-the-shoulder-length" hair, bright eyes, and thin waist. This look was perpetuated into the late 60's. My question is: why wasn't the ideal image of the male as reinforcing as the ideal image of the female? Yes, there were those who were willing to go against the status quo and create the "big butts" song and KING magazine, but once again, both of these were presenting icons of women. Were women not privileged enough during the Civil Rights Era to go against the socially-accepted view of men, or was it just understood that "guys will be guys"? I think that the "Black is Beautiful" movement provided grounds for an increase in the female organizing movement. Don't you??

How was school for you?

In today’s world such a high value is placed upon the idea of school and receiving a good education. Looking back on my schooling career, its interesting to see how the environment I was around as an adolescent has created the beliefs and the individual I see before myself today. Over my lifespan I have attended schools in three uniquely different places; the public schools of Pine Bluff, AR (1^st till 8^th grade), a private school in Greenville MS (8^th till 11^th grade), and another public school in Hot Springs, AR (11^th and 12^th grade).

Beginning with the public schools of Pine Bluff, I was a young Pakistani immigrant completely unaware of social ideas encompassed with a public school. As I began to learn the culture of America, I began to see the difference between the countries I had lived in before and this brand new world but I remained totally clueless of many issues that my classmates had been taught. It was not until Black History Month that I first became aware the true difference between an African American friend and a White friend. The concept of a month dedicated specifically to one race truly puzzled me. As the years went on and I progressed within the public school district of Pine Bluff, I could see a separation forming between my black friends and white friends. By the 4^th grade, I could remember that only a handful of white students even went to my school and all of my own white friends had moved to surrounding city’s private schools. I always wondered why they had moved away. Were they not getting the same good education I was getting? Where they not in a good educational environment? As school further segregated me from my white friends and drew me closer to my African American friends, I inherently began to like the same things they enjoyed. With a new taste for loud rap music and baggy clothes, I never considered the idea that I like these things because my black friends do, it was simply because those things appealed to me as well.

After 7^th grade, my parent’s work forced us to move to another small southern town, Greenville, Mississippi. When I moved here my parents were quite satisfied with the public education system of Pine Bluff as it served my older sister quite well, and I was in her following footsteps. I assumed I would continue my public education career, until my mother returned home one day saying that a better education could be gotten at a private school closer to my house. With hopes of continuing an enjoyable yet productive time at a “better” school, I was in open arms to private Washington School. Little did I know that this would be the one of the unhappiest times of my schooling career. From the first moment I stepped inside the school, I noticed I did not fit in very well or feel very welcomed to say the least. I walked in wearing my baggy jeans and oversized hoody and sat down as 20 white awkward faces stared me down. As the first few days went on, hardly anyone gave me a friendly welcome as I tried to integrate into their society. I was in complete culture shock in this new school, as it did not seem to fit in well at all with an all white crowd. It was strange to notice how a majority of the white students did not immediately show any friendly actions towards me, as they would later consider me to be a very good friend.

It was strange to say that until I went to Washington School, it was never made apparent to me that I was a person of color. Sure I knew I had brown skin and my friends had darker or lighter skin, but this was the first time that I had been treated completely different simply because the color of my skin and the “black” associated things I liked. Sick of this feeling, I applied to the Arkansas School for Mathematics Sciences and the Arts in Hot Springs, Arkansas. This school is dedicated strictly for the advancement of Arkansas students in the fields of Math and Science. Considered one of the best schools in the state, I decided to attend and escape the culturally bias Washington School. At ASMSA I would go onto see that intelligence was not a result of the color of ones skin but the will to learn. Students at this school ranged from the “hoods” of Pine Bluff all the way to the pristine private schools of Little Rock. Races ranged from black, white, and many internationals, but the focus and the overall attitude of the students was completely accepting. My peers were not only receptive towards different races but also towards individuals with different sexual preferences. It seemed that this publically funded school created a mosaic of students united under one goal of a good education.

Looking back each of the schools has helped me form the person I am today. I continue to be proud of the fact that I can relate and have plenty of African American, White, and friends of other races. With that being said, how do you feel about the schools you have attended? Do you think the fact that they were private or public had something to do with the way you may have grown up?

Tommie Smith and John Carlos: Making a Stand

At the 1968 Summer Olympic Games, one of the most memorable award ceremonies was held. Tommie Smith and John Carlos, respectively, won the gold and bronze medals. “As the American flag rose and the Star-Spangled Banner began to play, the two closed their eyes, bowed their heads, and began their protest.”

John Carlos and Tommie Smith raised their black gloved-fists as a nod to Black Power. It all began when a friend of theirs, Harry Edwards, attempted to launch a mass boycott of the summer games by all black American athletes. His organization, OPHR, gained popularity, but the boycott never materialized. Inspired by his effort, however, Carlos and Smith wore an assortment of black materials to represent Black Power in the Civil Rights Movement. They did not wear shoes to represent poverty among African Americans. The raising of the fists acknowledged Black Power in America. This act by Smith and Carlos was brave, because they were not the ones necessarily suffering, rather their friends and family were. They could have left their fists un-raised, and celebrated their victory in the spotlight of the world. They, however, were not content with abandoning their brothers and sisters in the unjust lands of America. They knew their actions would have severe repercussions, and they did: “While the protest seems relatively tame by today's standards, the actions of Smith and Carlos were met with such outrage that they were suspended from their national team and banned from the Olympic Village, the athletes' home during the games.”

Although this act by John Carlos and Tommie Smith was costly, it moved very many. Carlos and Smith had won the race alongside a white. I believe a lot can be said of the concept of them winning and standing alongside a white on the podium. By raising their fists, they were calling for justice and equality for their people. They had won a race among the world’s greatest athletes. This triumph, obviously, deserved to be recognized as an achievement for African Americans and America as a whole. When they raised their fists, it was if they were telling the world not to forget about their friends and family back home because they had not.

If you were able to stand in Carlos’ and Smith’s shoes, would you have done the same thing? Do you support their act? How much meaning does their act actually carry?

Source: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/summer-olympics-mexico-city.html

Michael Jordan Colorless?

In my spare time as a second grader, I spent my time perfecting the drawing of the Chicago Bulls’ emblem. My favorite number was 23 and my favorite pastime was basketball. Like many others, Michael Jordan was my hero. Not only does he represent the pinnacle of the African-American athlete, but also the pinnacle of the African American citizen. He, moreover, represents just how far African Americans have come since they sat out on their journey for equality.

“Jordan's role as an American and black cultural icon reaches far beyond simply his basketball prowess, primarily because of his remarkable business skills and careful image cultivation. He has become the image, not only of the greatest basketball player of all time, but of a family man, a black man, a businessman and ultimately a modern American hero that transcends cultural boundaries.” Operating off this, we see that Jordan is involved in many diverse areas of American life. Not only is he involved in a number of areas, but he excels in every department. He surpasses the barrier of color, and has become a role model among many different cultures in countries all over the world.

“Despite his representation of culture, however, still some have criticized him for foregoing his true black culture and forgetting his "blackness" in his cultivated image.” Some critics claim that Jordan and Nike have downplayed Jordan’s blackness throughout years of advertisements. I, however, disagree. I think because Jordan became famous after the Civil Rights Movement, he had the responsibility of representing America rather than his African-American heritage. Because Jordan became such a household hero and role model, he blurred the lines of color. Fans looked at Jordan as an icon for humanity, not merely for African Americans. It was not his color that brought him success; it was his character. At the same time, nevertheless, Jordan did represent how far African Americans had come in their quest for equality. Jordan has holds in nearly every part of the world, and is still looked upon as an iconic hero. I think that the power and prominence he has attained is a symbol of just how far African Americans have risen in the social, economic, and political spectrums of America and the world.

What are your thoughts on the concept of Jordan “surpassing his color?” Is it fair to say that Jordan is a representation of how far African American have come? I think this Michael Jordan quote has a lot of hold in the Civil Rights Movement: “I can accept failure. I cannot, however, accept not trying.”

Source: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~class/am483_97/projects/walters/mjexec.html

Misconceptions of the Black Panther Party

As we have learned more about the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, I have reflected on what I learned about this party in school before I came to college and before I took this class. What I realized what striking to me. I had the realization that there were always negative connotations surround the Black Panther Party in my previous education of the Civil Rights Movement. As a part of the master narrative, there were the “good” activists who were nonviolent and followed the inspiration of MLK JR. Then there were the Black Panthers who were more militant and violent. It is easy to pin a negative connotation on the party because without much knowledge of them, one could quickly assume that their possession of guns instantly meant violent actions, which people naturally see as bad.

The truth, however, is that the Black Panthers did a tremendous amount for the poor black communities around them and were actually not outwardly violent at all. They formed in 1966 in Oakland, CA and served as a voice for the inner-city poor. This party’s members came from the streets, and they knew what people in these poor communities needed. They initially took on police brutality by setting up police patrols in neighborhoods. This quickly developed into their aiding other community problems such as healthcare, education, and food. They set up free medical clinics so that people could have access to healthcare. Their most successful program was the Breakfast Program, which provided free breakfast for students before they went to school. There was a direct correlation with hunger and student performance in school, so by providing kids with food in the morning, they could do better in their classes.

These programs, established by the Black Panthers, are details that were too easily skipped over by teachers who taught the master narrative version of the Civil Rights Movement. After the Civil Rights and Voting Rights acts were passed, the Movement had not ended. Many poor African Americans were still suffering from poverty and few opportunities as a result of discrimination. The Black Panthers play a profoundly important role in improving the lives of African Americans in these poor communities as well as further pushing the issue of not just civil rights, but human rights in the United States.

It is unfortunate that much of the positive work of the Black Panther party is overshadowed by their militant and confrontational tactics. It is these images of the Party that my previous teachers had chosen to teach us about, thus portraying the Party in a more negative light, which is completely false. While the Party was far more aggressive than nonviolent activists, it is a shame that the work they did for their communities be overlooked in any classroom setting.

Colorism: A Conflict that Runs Skin-Deep

When learning about the civil rights era, not often is the issue of colorism addressed. Colorism can easily be defined as something like a sub-category of prejudice based on skin color. It originated during slavery when slaves with darker skin were placed in the fields to do work while lighter-skinned slaves were placed in the house to work. Similarly, lighter-skinned slaves tended to be more preferred by the slave-owners who would placed certain favoritism over them. This mentality continued over years and years, even into the Civil Rights time period. A common phrase amongst African Americans was, “If you are light, you are all right. If you are brown, you can stick around. If you are black, get back."

Alvin F. Poussaint, media director at the Judge Baker Children's Center in Boston and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, explains "Colorism was venomous because it did so much damage to the psyche.” In a society where African Americans were already belittled because of their race, it did much more harm than good that within their own communities they were criticized for being a darker color.

Poussaint continues saying, "It may seem like nothing now, but I can remember how difficult it was for people to use the word 'black' to describe themselves. It felt derogatory. Even some leadership would not use the word 'black' because they thought it was a derogatory term. We have come a long way to get rid of colorism."
While colorism became less of an issue after the Civil Rights Movement, recent studies have shown that colorism affects income and marriage rates even today. It holds an underlying place in black communities where it quietly resides and still has negative and damaging effects on people.

There has been recent controversy in the media and advertising over Beyonce’s L’Oreal ads in which her skin is noticeably lighter. Critics attacked L’Oreal for making her look for Caucasian, but the company has insisted that they did nothing to alter the image of Beyonce. Even still, it shows that there is an ongoing issue of colorism in today’s media.

The issue of colorism relates to what we have recently discussed in class about the Black Power movement and the “black is beautiful” mentality. Society had held that it was more appealing to look for “white” by having smooth hair and lighter skin. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, however, many African Americans celebrated their “blackness” by leaving their hair natural or wearing afros. Light or dark skin didn’t matter, because it was all beautiful and celebrated. James Brown became a voice for this mentality saying, “Say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud!”

While colorism still has undertones in African American communities and the media today, it does not play a significant role in these communities or society as a whole. In the civil rights era master narrative, there is no mention of colorism, and it is just one of the many conflicts that were a part of race relations, especially amongst African American communities.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/10/AR2009071000022.html