The White Mindset
American culture would push even the most forgiving and magnanimous man of this century to consider buying a gun for his protection and the protection of his family against white people with a vested interest in keeping the black community in its subjugated status. A black man with the patience of Dr. King, Gandhi, and Mother Teresa rolled into one, would have no choice but to succumb to the dark side of the Force dealing with the people’s denial that racism exist.
White American culture is mistakenly thought of as little more than people with white skin. But, it is much deeper than that. It is a mindset that is oriented to prejudge everything from a white person’s perspective or with a white person’s advantage in mind. One of the major characteristics of this type of thinking is a rather childish insistence not to acknowledge that people of various colors exist and that somehow segregation is no longer an issue. A white mindset will insist black people are treated more than fairly or are favored in the employment processes of the corporate American landscape even though blacks make up a tiny minority fraction of the employees in any office environment or factory floor. A white mindset will insist people of color are treated fairly by law enforcement and in courtrooms even though somehow the fifteen percent of the population that is black equates to thirty-four percent of the prison population. A white mindset would have you believe black people are irresponsible while white people who imitate the manufactured culture corporate America identified as being the black community are excused for their actions. The list goes on and on for the hypocrisy is astounding and knows no bounds.
Many black people suffer from being engrossed in a white mindset. It happens when we force our black children into schools controlled by a board of education with a white mindset that limits black history to a single month out of the year white history is taught year round, even during Black History month. Black people become pawns of the white mindset when there is a relentless focus on materialism and the accumulation of wealth which is so heavily concentrated in the white mindset community. In order to have a chance of becoming part of the wealth distribution system we kick our black perspectives to the curb and jump head first into the white mindset. Black people develop a white mindset by subjecting themselves to the relentless onslaught of television programs like Seinfeld, Friends, Dawson’s Creek, According to Jim, Everybody Loves Raymond, the Discovery Channel, A&E, the History Channel, Lifetime, Star Trek (pick whatever version you want), the Sci-Fi Channel, or anything else that comes on television that promotes and reinforces a world of white mindset dominance.
For nearly every black person who seeks a professional career in areas such as architecture, medicine, space exploration, financing, banking, engineering, education, astronomy, education, archeology, law enforcement, automobile design, hospitality, piloting, and etcetera, requires the immersion of one’s self into white culture. It is inevitable if we want to participate.
This is why there are so many people making the choice to become toms for the white community. It’s why we have Condoleezza Rice working so hard to become George Bush’s political concubine. It’s why Colin Powell wanted to be the Republican Party’s figurative doorman. It’s why Oprah Winfrey works so hard to win the mammy of the century award. It’s why Bill Cosby wants to play the role of the Pied Piper of Hamelin and lead all the good little black people away to the land of assimilation. It’s why Tiger Woods refuses to acknowledge seeing a black man when he looks in a mirror. It’s why my brothers and sisters continue to condone so many black people falling through cracks in the American system.
Why is there so much discrepancy between the treatment of black people and white people? People like to dismiss it as little more than happenstance. But how can it be just a product of chance when it happens in so many different categories and in so many different instances and in so many different locations and in so many different people? The same scenario happens over and over again with white people having the advantage. White people matter and black people don’t. It has been cunningly ingrained into our psyche and can be virtually impossible to acknowledge (even though it is so obvious) and even more impossible to resist. The white mindset quickly looks the other way or feigns total ignorance, confusion, and surprise when black people can no longer tolerate their blatant racial insensitivity and point it out for black and white people to see. But the black mindset will continue to bring attention back to this issue in all its colors, shades, shapes, and forms time and time again.
For all of its protestations of confusion and ignorance and exhaustion at hearing yet another example of black people calling white people racist, the white mindset must deal with the black mindset that stands ready to call attention to their scandalous behavior. When the white television anchor inappropriately calls attention to the blackness of an individual suffering from a catastrophe, the black mindset is there to ask why we have to go there. “So poor and so very black”. Why did we have to go there? Nobody ever comments about the whiteness of the victims of disaster. No one would ever say that the people in the trailer park were “so very poor and so very white” when the tornado touched down and knocked over their homes. But when the discrepancy was pointed out the black mindset is painted as the problem. Just let it go.
The people with the white mindset need to get over their insistence that all is well in America. Because while more and more white people enjoy the milk and honey, more and more black people have to tolerate getting by on bread and water. The black mindset will continue to bring attention back to this issue in all its colors, shades, shapes, and forms time and time again. The only thing we have to keep the white mindset at bay in its dealings with the black community is the black mindset that is sensitive to black people and their needs.
So what’s your solution? You complain an awful lot, but you don’t have any answers to your OWN problems. People like you keep others down by using a sympathetic approach. Expecting to gain the entire world out of sorrow for your history. What do you want, a formal appology for the past 400 years, millions of dollars, or for all whites to bow down to you upon sight? You can’t erase history what’s done is done. Which one of these things will change your life so drastically that you will be at peace with all? What’s your answer to people having the “white mindset” and disrespecting your culture?
I don’t think you have any answers. Even if you did, you would find another reason to be angry with society. All you want is some sympathy. Looking at society, I don’t think anyone feels sorry for a whiner that has no answers to his own imaginary problems. Show some respect to those who REALLY dealt with severe cruelty during a time where they couldn’t vent in an article.
Easy wrote…”What’s done is done.”
Typical argument from an angry white mindset. But what’s done is done never comes up when members of white dominated, American society are the victims. We’re still erecting memorials to World War II, the Jewish holocaust, Jesus Christ, and victims of 911. Nobody ever says, “hey 911 is in the past so get over it.” Four years later and after nearly four thousands men and women have been sacrificed exacting some kind of revenge America is still trying to come to terms with Iraq (although the country had nothing to do with the bombing).
I have lots of ideas for solutions. We can institute universal healthcare, we can develop a legal and justice system that operates independently of the color of a person’s skin or the size of their wallet. We can keep corporations from influencing so much of American society. We can develop a system of laws that actually protect people who can’t protect themselves instead of allowing members of the white privilege from continuing to grow their privilege while others suffer.
As far as respecting those who dealt with severe cruelty, I respect my ancestors everyday by refusing to ignore their sacrifice and acquiescing to the injustice of this so called system of skewed justice and equality for all.
I guess you are showing respect to your past by continuing the idea that all is well and there’s nothing left for black people to do but sit back and enjoy the subjugation. You are an absolute credit to your history. If every white person were to bow down to my shadow I seriously doubt if it would change things for everyone. Besides, both of us know it would be insincere and empty. Why make such a suggestion other than to show your contempt for the issue, demonstrate your white mindset, and prove my point?
Peace
Easy, do you believe that blacks have no business complaining? Is everything in today’s society equal in your eyes? These questions make me laugh. We both know of course this is a white dominated society. We all know that after slavery ended white society took plenty of steps to insure that they would continue to dominate such as forgetting they ever promised reparations, Jim Crow laws, segregation (separate but unequal), subtle and not so subtle discrimination such as hiring practices, loans, banking and business ventures, and also the new supreme court ruling that looking at race IS discrimination. When did trying to achieve diversity become discrimination? When a black can go to school or to work among hundreds and be the only black person or one of very few, there is a problem. Talking about severe cruelty, who do you think imposed this cruelty, who benefited and who is still paying the price?
You wrote “You can’t erase history what’s done is done.”
By this do you mean that slavery, discrimination, or subjugation is done? Slavery may be over, but you can’t convince me that discrimination or the subjugation is done. But, you will undoubtedly say otherwise.
How come people such as Will Smith, Michael Jordan, My friend Kevin who owns a clothing Co., and countless other blacks never complain about the same things that you do? I see what it is now. No one ever really gave YOU an opportunity to flourish as these men are doing in society. Is that why you’re mad? Since YOU don’t have the resources and following that these men have, the ENTIRE race is suffering. And these men are just uncle Toms b/c they don’t complain about a situation that is invisible. Because they’ve come to know their history and build a better future(present) from it, instead of looking for a handout because of the past. It’s 2007. Last time I checked, Ive seen blacks riding at the front, Ive seen blacks working with whites, Ive seen blacks dominate sports like Basketball and Football, and Ive seen blacks hold seats in senate and other political positions.
And furthermore, Im not even going to get into 9/11. Let’s just say I am not an advocate for those memorials and such as you said. You are doing the same things that 9/11 advocates are doing since “they should get over it.” Right? Maybe you should get over it. You don’t have any ideas that are going to work. Let alone ideas period. Universal Healthcare… You sound like a fool. Corporate what? What the hell are you talking about man? This is a capitalist society. And besides, didn’t Malcom X, Al Sharpton, Luis Farrakhan(million man march) , Jesse Jackson, the Black Panther party, and most other leaders say the very exact same thing that you did about a “better America?” What happened to their plans? So, all of that jibberish you’re talking, like the song says, “Ive heard it all before.”
No response necessary. Ive heard your complaints for the past 37 years and probably will hear them for the rest of my life. Have a good frustrated life.
Easy wrote…”How come people such as Will Smith…and countless other blacks never complain about the same things that you do?” and “Maybe you should get over it.”
More typical white mindset arguments. Because some black people choose to live a lifestyle that is somewhat distant from their African heritage every black person should be so willing to buck and cheese for the corporate camera. Besides, I really don’t think there’s a long line of job vacancies for more black people to be Will Smith or Michael Jordan. I think the very argument is racist in itself. Why can’t black people ever be the dominant racial profile of a Fortune 500 company? How often do black people out number their white co-workers in an office environment that’s not the mail room, janitorial services, or shipping and receiving? How many small and medium size companies are there without a single black employee period? How many companies exist without a single white employee? It may be a capitalist society but the cards are stacked so heavily in white people’s favor.
Because your racial preference is so thick all you hear and see is the “jibberish” (I think you meant gibberish). For someone who has heard the same things for the past 37 years why do you respond so vehemently now? The question is rhetorical. Obviously it is a chord that was struck early and has been vibrating throughout your life. You can keep your wish for me to have a good frustrated life. Too many people such as yourself are doing a wonderful job making it a reality for me and a lot of other people.
Peace
Nice bitch slap to my friend from majority there brotherpeacemaker. I think “Easy” represents a susbstantial amount of white folks in this country, who will never get it. (I bet his parents think just like he does)
The funny thing is; I guarantee you that his life will be far more frustrating than yours.
These clowns will never get it: WE don’t bitch and moan because we want to play the victim role,(I am living quite well thank you very much) WE bitch and moan because we want to make Amerikkka better.
Simply amazing.
brotherpeacemaker:
A few weeks ago you were advocating for Black kids to sit in the same classrooms as White kids. Thus you slammed the evil conservative supreme court.
Now you ask that we not allow our Black kids to be indoctrinated into a “White mindset”.
Let me ask you, using HISTORY as a great reference (you suggested that we not forget history). With school integration – which way did the flow occur? Was it WHITE KIDS coming into majority Black schools (and thus these schools had a BLACK CULTURAL MINDSET) or was it Black students flowing into WHITE SCHOOLS?
You attack Condi Rice and Colin Powell. What about the Black policy makers who have eroded our communities with their policies that attempted to ABSTRACT the Standard of Living in our community from the Value of the Work that is done by people in our community? At the same time you are averse at discussing the impact of the Black Thug who is killing our people at a record pace. Why are you so selective? You reject my notions of “Non-White White Supremacy” but you prove yourself to be infected so frequently.
Destructive Feedback,
I don’t know what article you’re referring to. I don’t think I ever said black kids should sit in the same room as white kids. However, I did write an article about how the conservative court is beginning to make rulings against diversity. I don’t think white communities should be responsible for teaching black children. But the fact that the court is returning to a doctrine of separate and not equal is troubling. If you would read with an open mind and heart you probably would have understood. What I don’t understand is your unwavering loyalty to people and institutions who neglect and reject the black community.
Again, if you feel there are other problems more pressing in the black community, feel free to tackle them as you see fit. However, I seriously doubt that arresting blacks is the cure all answer to the problems in the black community. People, such as yourself, without much compassion for the core issues at the heart of the black community’s struggles are part of the problem. Until you come to grips with this fact chances are good that you will spend the rest of your life helping white people fill their jails and prisons with blacks.
It is true that I reject your notions that I’m some kind of supremacist. That’s probably the only thing we’ll ever agree on. As far as infections go, you’re neck deep in assimilation.
Peace
[quote]I don’t think white communities should be responsible for teaching black children. But the fact that the court is returning to a doctrine of separate and not equal is troubling.[/quote]
This is nothing short of a LIE.
In the days of “Separate But Equal” there was ACTIVE AND PUNITIVE SEGREGATION. Black kids WERE NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND WHITE SCHOOLS. Schools in the same district would send the bulk of their funding to the White school while the Black school, often in disrepair got their USED BOOKS AND FURNITURE. Please show me a single school district in America in 2007 that practices this?
This recent Supreme Court ruling says that RACE could not be used for school assignment. If any school denied admission to a Black person who legitimately resided in that schools boundaries…..they would be subjected to a large lawsuit and I would be ON BOARD WITH THE LITIGATION.
At the end of the day it must be admitted – people tend to live among their own race and class. There will always be a significant portion of Black students attending majority Black schools. It is time to work WITHIN and make sure that these schools are centers of academic excellence.
The real world process of school busing had Black kids departing their local schools and going to White schools. When White parents got a notice during the summer that their kids were going to be assigned to a majority Black school many of them pulled their kids out of the public schools to attend private academies. The results were that SOME Black kids got educated at White schools while the Black schools were allowed to wilt on the vine. It is time to have an INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT strategy.
Destructive Feedback,
You are truly worrisome. It is with great effort that I post your comments. You may call me a liar if you want but the facts remain. School busing, welfare, affirmative action, all these programs fail because the people who are in charge of their administration have a vested interest in their failure. You can keep your internal development strategy. More than likely it would be designed to teach black people the keys to living a life of white corporate assimilation.
Peace