Last night's diary on Dr. Condoleeza Rice courting the McCain camp for the Vice-Presidential nominee was a learning experience to say the least. Despite the discussion centering on her career as both an academic and a governmental official, it unleashed deeper questions that I reflected upon about her legacy, actions and history as the first Black woman Secretary of State during the day.
I also spent my time musing about race, social agency and how it crops up in every discussion whether one knows it or not.
Take two news stories that cropped up in the news cycle about Senator Barack Obama.
Former Attorney John Ashcroftwas booed for mentioning, "Osama" instead of the democratic nominee's true surname.
Republican nominee Senator John McCain was not to be outdone. David Bellavia, an Army Staff Sergeant prepping the crowd for Mr. McCain, said [emphasis mine]:
"Fortunately, I have the privilege, the distinct privilege today, of introducing a true American hero who defies political norms in Washington," Bellavia said. "Sen. John McCain has spent a lifetime in service to our nation. His example of unwavering courage is a model for every American. Rest assured that men like Senator McCain will be the goal and the men that my two young boys will emulate and admire. You can have your Tiger Woods, we've got Senator McCain."
These two items in the media demonstrate that there is much to be learned in terms of cross-cultural/racial discussion. What McCain and Ashcroft convey is the lack of cultural consciousness. As a result, they keep on repeating the same old demeaning talk without learning about the offensiveness of their comments.
As a black woman, this is yet another "dull ache". In whattamisaid's wonderful diary, she mentioned things that Black folks often go through on a daily basis when it has to do with race. Some of these things are often overlooked, misunderstood and rebuked when it becomes the topic of conversation.
It is hard enough to have a meeting of the minds racially when some white folks often repeat the same lines in every racial conversation:
"I don't see color."
"We're all part of the human race"
"I am colorblind."
"I'm not the racist! Black folks are the racists."
"People of color (most notably Black folks) need to work hard and not complain about race."
"I didn't own any slaves."
"Stop looking into the past."
"My family came here as immigrants. They didn't own any slaves."
"If you don't mention race, it will go away."
It doesn't get any better when trying to bridge the gap about the thoughts expressed by voices of color.
When a person of color tries to explain their experiences, they are often viewed as complaints and belittled as such. Most times, a voice of color has to repeat the same thing over and over because some folks "just don't get it". And if it does get repeated, then the entitlement kicks in which tries to invalidate a person of color's experience to the point of "irrationality".
And thus, it turns into unproductive talk because some white folks don't simply listen and instead try to direct the conversation by throwing in how many friends of color that they have, their experiences of "reverse racism" or the tried and true, "Stop being angry. You just have to forgive and move on."
Forgive? Move on?
Anger, when used positively, is very productive. It allows you to do something about a situation--whether writing about one's experiences, attending a diversity fair or even discussing one's feelings about race with others. Action allows for empathy and understanding to happen so that people come away changed.
Otherwise, it just comes down to one person, by virtue of privilege and entitlement, telling another how to feel. Unfortunately, race conversations have been conducted in such a fashion.
When I see the gaffes of both Ashcroft and McCain today, I realize that for people to learn about each other from a racial standpoint, a lot of listening and humility needs to happen. Through working with uncomfortability and asking questions, a lot more can be learned. Ultimately, such discourse is mutually beneficial in terms of social change, acknowledgement and moving forward in terms of progress.
I think it's about time we put the cards on the table. It may benefit us all by doing so.
--politicalceci