This is so precise and fun to read, and I even thought you might be from my generation. You are my sons' generation and wrote generously, authentically and helpfully to pierce through the obnoxious stereotypes that still pervade the American psyche. My favorite line is that "no racist white person can stop my success". Yes!
Every time I see that condescending/racist infographic, all I can imagine is a group of white supremacists laughing at the success of their plot to have their rhetoric adopted as “progressive” via strategic plants in our “elite” institutions.
As Ayn Rand so eloquently put it, "The smallest minority in the world is the individual". I have always been an individual first - not a 'joiner' and proud of it. It sounds like you are just the same. I stopped worrying about the 'joiners' a long time ago.
Back in 1967 and 1968 I worked in the Upward Bound Program at the Claremont Colleges. The second summer, a group of Blacks tried to take over the program through physical intimidation of the staff and high school participants. Upward Bound was designed to help high school students of all races who needed extra help to succeed in college with a residential program during the summer and follow-up sessions during their senior years. Those who tried to take over the program claimed that homework and studying were a white racist plot to undermine Black is Beautiful. Instead of having homework sessions in the evenings, the Blacks claimed that they were entitled to have dances -- every night -- and to use peyote to open their awareness to white oppression.
The solution as simple. The leaders of the "uprising" were fired and their "muscle" from the probation camps were send back to their camps. The program ended up being the most academic west of the Mississippi. The biggest losers were the minorities students from the probation camps since they had been mislead by the "coup's" leaders, all who came from wealthy Black families, e.g. surgeons, entrepreneurs, etc. Because the probationees had been abused into criminal behavior, they lost their best opportunity to break the poverty cycle, while the leaders suffered no actual consequences as is the general situation with the wealthy.
It is clear that race was a bogus division. Instead, certain power groups used race to divide people because there's money to be made in division. It seems that the same dynamic is at work today.
“[The charge of “trying to act white] stems from a narrow view of “blackness” that is highly reliant on the idea that to be “black” is to be a supposed outsider to the broader American culture. Of course, this never made sense, as black (read: Negro) culture has always been central to American culture in some way and it certainly was when I grew up.”
First, black culture is, and has always been, an essential strand of, and inseparable from, American culture, with outsized influence and significance in comparison with the proportion of black folks in the American population. In fact, the black cultural strand is often the strand by which members of other cultures most readily recognize aspects of this culture as American.
Second, black folks rightfully object to being perceived in stereotypical terms, but isn’t the accusation of “trying to act white” at bottom a charge that one is not conforming to a “black-enough” stereotype?
Finally, the expectation that being “black enough” requires that one maintain a semi-oppositional “outsider” status, seems at odds with the perfectly valid desire of black Americans to fully share in the benefits of being Americans. Isn’t it an obvious mistake to view the choices as exclusively “outsider” or “Carlton”? Just more stereotypes.
Regarding American culture as “uncool” works for comedic purposes. But insofar as “acting white” makes one a “race traitor” due to the implication of insufficient oppositional separation from whites, that is a troubling position: how does maintaining the “black-enough” outsider pose lead to greater cultural and political participation and rewards for non-celebrity black Americans?
How is a majority culture likely to regard a minority that continually asserts its separate “outsider” status? Doesn’t the freedom of black folks also depend on the willingness of black folks to grant all black folks the freedom to find their own personal relationships with American culture?
I wish I could shake your hand. This is so brilliant. “If me being me is a problem when I do nothing to you then it’s your issue, not mine” is exactly how I was raised, and what I’m trying to teach my kids.
The real privilege is to live in a time when we can be individuals and live our best lives. Shame on those who squander that privilege on hatred and resentment.
Wonderful! I wish more people could allow themselves to be themselves instead of living down to limiting preconceived notions. I always advices my children to simply answer with their given names whenever someone inquired “what are you?”
I'd love to include you on my YouTube, if your are interested. I focus on neurodivergence and intersectionality, which includes perspectives on life in general, like racelessness. You might enjoy the conversations I've had with Angel Eduardo, Adam Coleman, and others.
Some race-activists have commented on how Carlton was mocked, while Will was the hero. In the first Hidden Colors documentary, British activist Toyin Agbetu says of the sitcom, "There are two black boys. One is street smart, he can dance, and he doesn't get good grades. The other is not street, he can't dance and he gets good grades. Which one are we expected to admire?"
Thanks be to God this piece is indeed Black thought! And yea, it was “fun” as one responded stated. Yet, this is a serious debate that involves pain & search. I think it has to be “fun” & “witty” because we (Black folk) been focused on the wrong point to be considered regarding one we think might be a “House Negro.” (Because that’s the underlying debate...is it not?)
And we get stuck on arguing if one is or if one ain’t a House Negro, rather than distinguishing if one is or if one ain’t a GOOD House Negro? And then, *whose* good?
We don’t even allow for the idea of a “good” House Negro. Because the image of a Good House Negro is Stephen (from Django). But that Negro was “good” as good was defined from the perspective of white supremacy & white power.
Yet not all House Negroes were Stephen. Some of them snuck food out to those being starved. Some House Negroes (rarely yet on rare occasion) unlocked the door to the ammunition house. Some House Negroes aided the Underground Railroad & guided others in the “runaway process.” And even if you have never read the narratives, close your eyes & sit in the Spirit with the spirits of our ancestors & know it to be true...
So...who is the “Good” House Negro? From whose perspective are we allowing the House Negro to exist?
We only allow the House Negro to exist within the framework of whiteness. So the “good” House Negro was someone we despise, & the “bad” House Negro was someone who got his/her ass whopped all the time...and we ain’t want to be that.
We confined the House Negro to someone who served Massa’s purposes. And so the House Negro was to be shamed. Is to be shamed. Carlton. (sic)
But, what if the question accepted the reality of the House Negro? The House Negro exists. He and she were bred into existence by the ideology of white supremacy & the force of white power.
Whose “goodness” does this House Negro serve? Whose “goodness” does this Field Negro serve, for that matter?
The real debate is it or if not Carlton use the definition of “good” supplied to him by white power and/or rooted in white supremacy? Or is this Carlton a Free Negro who uses his access to whiteness for the liberation of his people?
This is so precise and fun to read, and I even thought you might be from my generation. You are my sons' generation and wrote generously, authentically and helpfully to pierce through the obnoxious stereotypes that still pervade the American psyche. My favorite line is that "no racist white person can stop my success". Yes!
Every time I see that condescending/racist infographic, all I can imagine is a group of white supremacists laughing at the success of their plot to have their rhetoric adopted as “progressive” via strategic plants in our “elite” institutions.
Spot on! I just became an annual subscriber. Looking forward to meeting you one day. Hopefully soon. God bless you!
Spot on & such a fun read!
As Ayn Rand so eloquently put it, "The smallest minority in the world is the individual". I have always been an individual first - not a 'joiner' and proud of it. It sounds like you are just the same. I stopped worrying about the 'joiners' a long time ago.
Back in 1967 and 1968 I worked in the Upward Bound Program at the Claremont Colleges. The second summer, a group of Blacks tried to take over the program through physical intimidation of the staff and high school participants. Upward Bound was designed to help high school students of all races who needed extra help to succeed in college with a residential program during the summer and follow-up sessions during their senior years. Those who tried to take over the program claimed that homework and studying were a white racist plot to undermine Black is Beautiful. Instead of having homework sessions in the evenings, the Blacks claimed that they were entitled to have dances -- every night -- and to use peyote to open their awareness to white oppression.
The solution as simple. The leaders of the "uprising" were fired and their "muscle" from the probation camps were send back to their camps. The program ended up being the most academic west of the Mississippi. The biggest losers were the minorities students from the probation camps since they had been mislead by the "coup's" leaders, all who came from wealthy Black families, e.g. surgeons, entrepreneurs, etc. Because the probationees had been abused into criminal behavior, they lost their best opportunity to break the poverty cycle, while the leaders suffered no actual consequences as is the general situation with the wealthy.
It is clear that race was a bogus division. Instead, certain power groups used race to divide people because there's money to be made in division. It seems that the same dynamic is at work today.
https://bit.ly/3fUBy1z April 8, 2021, CityWatch, Hate Money Stalks America
Good article!
A key point:
“[The charge of “trying to act white] stems from a narrow view of “blackness” that is highly reliant on the idea that to be “black” is to be a supposed outsider to the broader American culture. Of course, this never made sense, as black (read: Negro) culture has always been central to American culture in some way and it certainly was when I grew up.”
First, black culture is, and has always been, an essential strand of, and inseparable from, American culture, with outsized influence and significance in comparison with the proportion of black folks in the American population. In fact, the black cultural strand is often the strand by which members of other cultures most readily recognize aspects of this culture as American.
Second, black folks rightfully object to being perceived in stereotypical terms, but isn’t the accusation of “trying to act white” at bottom a charge that one is not conforming to a “black-enough” stereotype?
Finally, the expectation that being “black enough” requires that one maintain a semi-oppositional “outsider” status, seems at odds with the perfectly valid desire of black Americans to fully share in the benefits of being Americans. Isn’t it an obvious mistake to view the choices as exclusively “outsider” or “Carlton”? Just more stereotypes.
Regarding American culture as “uncool” works for comedic purposes. But insofar as “acting white” makes one a “race traitor” due to the implication of insufficient oppositional separation from whites, that is a troubling position: how does maintaining the “black-enough” outsider pose lead to greater cultural and political participation and rewards for non-celebrity black Americans?
How is a majority culture likely to regard a minority that continually asserts its separate “outsider” status? Doesn’t the freedom of black folks also depend on the willingness of black folks to grant all black folks the freedom to find their own personal relationships with American culture?
I wish I could shake your hand. This is so brilliant. “If me being me is a problem when I do nothing to you then it’s your issue, not mine” is exactly how I was raised, and what I’m trying to teach my kids.
The real privilege is to live in a time when we can be individuals and live our best lives. Shame on those who squander that privilege on hatred and resentment.
May we all be Carltons!
Wonderful! I wish more people could allow themselves to be themselves instead of living down to limiting preconceived notions. I always advices my children to simply answer with their given names whenever someone inquired “what are you?”
Thoughtful piece, thank you for sharing your experiences!
The comments above said it way better than I ever could. But in short, beautifully thoughtful and personally honest! Love it!
I'd love to include you on my YouTube, if your are interested. I focus on neurodivergence and intersectionality, which includes perspectives on life in general, like racelessness. You might enjoy the conversations I've had with Angel Eduardo, Adam Coleman, and others.
EQSolutionsU2.com
NeuroawesomeLife.com
https://www.youtube.com/@neuroawesomelife241
Some race-activists have commented on how Carlton was mocked, while Will was the hero. In the first Hidden Colors documentary, British activist Toyin Agbetu says of the sitcom, "There are two black boys. One is street smart, he can dance, and he doesn't get good grades. The other is not street, he can't dance and he gets good grades. Which one are we expected to admire?"
Beautiful, thoughtful, humorous!
Thanks be to God this piece is indeed Black thought! And yea, it was “fun” as one responded stated. Yet, this is a serious debate that involves pain & search. I think it has to be “fun” & “witty” because we (Black folk) been focused on the wrong point to be considered regarding one we think might be a “House Negro.” (Because that’s the underlying debate...is it not?)
And we get stuck on arguing if one is or if one ain’t a House Negro, rather than distinguishing if one is or if one ain’t a GOOD House Negro? And then, *whose* good?
We don’t even allow for the idea of a “good” House Negro. Because the image of a Good House Negro is Stephen (from Django). But that Negro was “good” as good was defined from the perspective of white supremacy & white power.
Yet not all House Negroes were Stephen. Some of them snuck food out to those being starved. Some House Negroes (rarely yet on rare occasion) unlocked the door to the ammunition house. Some House Negroes aided the Underground Railroad & guided others in the “runaway process.” And even if you have never read the narratives, close your eyes & sit in the Spirit with the spirits of our ancestors & know it to be true...
So...who is the “Good” House Negro? From whose perspective are we allowing the House Negro to exist?
We only allow the House Negro to exist within the framework of whiteness. So the “good” House Negro was someone we despise, & the “bad” House Negro was someone who got his/her ass whopped all the time...and we ain’t want to be that.
We confined the House Negro to someone who served Massa’s purposes. And so the House Negro was to be shamed. Is to be shamed. Carlton. (sic)
But, what if the question accepted the reality of the House Negro? The House Negro exists. He and she were bred into existence by the ideology of white supremacy & the force of white power.
Whose “goodness” does this House Negro serve? Whose “goodness” does this Field Negro serve, for that matter?
The real debate is it or if not Carlton use the definition of “good” supplied to him by white power and/or rooted in white supremacy? Or is this Carlton a Free Negro who uses his access to whiteness for the liberation of his people?
Right on! I feel this.