I read a copy of the flyer for this "Compton Cookout" as part of a note on Facebook the other day, then today I came across this, and now I'm obligated to say a few things. Let me first say this: racism does not shock me. In fact, anyone that thought our President being black was going to make the racism issue better instead of worse is probably not as aware (or honest with themselves) about the society we all live in.
When I peruse news articles online, I'm always most intrigued with, and entertained by, the comments users leave with the end. It is in these little tidbits that you find out exactly what people think about just about everything. The comments at the end of this particular article invoke first amendment rights, of which I am a champion since my bread and butter is protected therein, and indicate that people clearly do not know what Black History Month is about. I do not refer to it as African American Heritage month because I do not refer to myself as African American. I'm black and a little militant. Don't get me started.
Anyhow, from what I understand, Black History Month has always been about us educating one another about the milestones our people reached and surpassed. How many of you remember being in the Black History Month assembly as a kid? Did you play Rosa Parks on the bus? Or Martin Luther King, Jr. marching in the streets? Black History Month is supposed to be about us and for us -- with the information, enthusiasm and pride being provided by us, because lawd knows we've digested more than enough of what everyone else thinks of us. We spend 11 months out of the year being inundated with information about each and every other culture and ethnicity, so it only makes sense that we at least use 28 consecutive days to toss around some facts and figures about our own selves. Right? Personally, I think we should be researching and discussing this information 365 days a year, but, as I said earlier, I'm a little militant.
When I read about these kinds of shenanigans, I'm always a wee bit amused. The invitation that circulated on Facebook didn't even have the correct spelling for Kool Aid, for goodness sakes. How can I take your insult seriously? When I look at everything I know for a fact has come out of Compton (my own mother, for example, not to mention those Venus and Serena girls), I can't muster up enough umph to be angry at the caricatures white frat boys found amusing "in honor of black history month." This is not their heritage. These are not their people. They don't have any real reason to be proud. They shouldn't be expected to find the value in something we don't believe is a joke. Black History Month is not for them.
In reality, most of the pride is gone on our end. In general, one should expect to be respected once respect is given. But when a group of people continue to express how much they do not respect you, your group of people or anything you stand for it's time to stop reaching out. Anybody remember this?
I'm not saying it's wrong to be upset. I'm saying stop expecting something different from a group of people that continues to show you exactly who they are and exactly what they are about. White frat boys aren't always going to understand you. They don't have to.
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