Are We Too Sensitive As Black People?
Sometimes I believe we are
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I have been thinking about this issue for a long time. I have read many articles about how black people face all types of racism. Some people have made it their mission to raise awareness of this issue. In fact, it is their bread and butter.
For any white individual reading this post, I would love to know if you have learned anything from these types of articles if your mindset has been changed if your awareness of these situations has been ‘raised’.
I hope and pray that these posts make a difference. I read the comments on how some readers are grateful for these tips on how to ‘treat’ the black people in their lives. I don't know how I feel about this.
Not everyone is innocent
Racism is a fact of life. We are all racist to a certain level (if we are honest with each other). At the very least, we tend to fall into the stereotyping trap in our daily lives. The best of us try to reign it and not be blatant about it. Black people, either in Africa or elsewhere are racist to other races. Arabs are racist to black people. Hell, within a country, the hatred between certain tribes is off the chart. It is like nothing you have ever seen. So this is not exclusive to white people. It is hypocritical to think otherwise. We all need to own this first and educate everyone, not just white people.
Coming back to the title of this article, I think we can be overly sensitive to a certain extent. Some of us act as we are overly oppressed. Black people are not the only race that has been killed, beaten, raped cheated on. Jews, Asians, Mexicans, and even some white people have all experienced racism and discrimination.
I am not oblivious to the systemic racism that exists everywhere. At the same time, I believe that there are those among us that lay the blame on the racism doorstep when things go wrong in their lives. This happens more than you think. There is this victim mentality and it is holding us back. We can be a force for change if we focus more on how to educate ourselves and those around us. It is not going to be easy and neither it will be pretty. But it has got to be done. Having these protests will not help us. These marches and protests have been occurring since Dr. King, and where did that get us? Nowhere.
There are no denying facts
There is systematic racism and plenty of racial discrimination in all aspects of our lives. Opportunities do not come by us often and when it does, we have to work twice as hard as our white counterparts. That is if you are given the opportunities. Nevertheless, we are not living in Middle East countries or in Asia where you will be looked down on and be treated like a cockroach. In countries in Europe or the US, there is a legal due process and you will be given opportunities to use that system, despite being flawed.
See the video below to see what we are up against.
As a black person, I am not really surprised. Two kids were fighting. The police at this point are not aware who started what. But they just quickly cuff the black kid and almost comfort the white kid. You can actually see the white kid being shocked. Why aren’t the police treating the suspects equally? The cops are so comfortable turning their back on the seated white kid while they went Rambo on the black kid.
Knowing that this kind of incident happens on a daily basis is heartbreaking. No one can deny that systemic racism exists everywhere. Whilst most culprits in the western world are of the white race, it is also prevalent in other countries too. In fact, theirs is more brazen and there is no legal due process.
Being black, Muslim, and a hijabi woman, can you imagine the level of intolerance I face on a daily basis? Although, I think I fare better than the experience of a black male in the US or Europe.
Nevertheless, it does not feel good when you are only judged by the color of your skin or the cloth on your head.
In previous employment, there were instances where I was a temporary employee and I was told to train a new member of staff (who happened to be white). A permanent job was offered to that individual whilst I had more experience and was more qualified.
I am not sure if the white folks should pay greater attention to some of their black colleagues. I am sure their black colleagues do not need hand-holding or any special favors. I ask that they be considerate and treat everyone the same. At the same time, we need to step up and not blame our shortcomings on racism.
There are some good people who are not aware of their own racist tendencies. It could stem from the way they were brought up or sometimes they try so hard not to come across as a racist by being condescending or patronizing by uttering statements such as “I didn’t think you people could speak so well or you really clean up well when you put your mind to it.”
What can we do to change our situation?
I do not have all the answers here however I can think of a few things that can go a long way in helping ourselves as a black community. Education is the key. Although the education system has its own flaws and does not cater much to the poor and the disadvantaged, it is up to the parents to put great emphasis on educating their children.
I see some families within my own community that prioritized the education of their children and today, whilst being black and Muslim, they are thriving and their parents are reaping the rewards of all the hardship they faced. There were hardships that were racially motivated such as when a form that was supposed to be filled by my sister’s high school was not forwarded in time to the relevant faculty. It was intentionally delayed so that she missed her place in medical school. We had to chase for them to sign it and send a courier to her university at the 11th hour. Here was an immigrant student who worked really hard to win a place in a very good university, only to hold her back instead. If it was not for my father, she would not have been where she is now. He understood the importance of education and how liberating it is for his children.
Yes, the schools may let you down, but you need to step up as a parent. Find any means necessary to build their base. Do not put too much faith in schools. Make sure they are on top of their work. I don't want to focus too much on this but it is absolutely necessary to know what your child is up to. Nowadays there is another teacher in their room- the internet. This teaches your child everything (good, bad, and all that in between) and you may not have control over anything.
Finally
That is it. I did say I don’t have all the answers. But this is a start. Education is the key.
Teach your kids:-
- to be upstanding citizens
- right from wrong
- how to fight for their rights (legally)
- how to educate others when they are discriminated against
- how to succeed in life in spite of the forces that are against them
- that racism will not cease to exist just because they obtained their MBAs from Ivy League universities and hold executive jobs
- not everything that goes wrong in their lives is because of their skin color
- finally never to have the victimhood mentality. This will only hold them back.
Thank you for reading.
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