In American society we have developed at very ugly subtext. An unwritten rule that uses someones race or ethnic background to determine what you do and don’t have the right to say. This can be a very frustrating situation for an adult, trying to navigate the minefield that is our culture. This delicate balance of giving unspoken rights based on race is even more difficult for children to fully grasp without accidentally finding themselves in a storm of anger directed at them because of their confusion and frustration at this state of things.
Growing Up With Racist Double-Standards
Growing up I had trouble understanding all of these social nuances. Often I found myself very frustrated at the double-standards of our society that let the black kids in my school call any white kid a cracker, but heaven forbid a white kid use the N-word in any context because that would make him/her a racist and a bigot. The truth of the matter is the social nuances were the problem and using such words in frustration to these rules did not make one a racist, but merely misunderstanding of how society dictates that the game should be played.
Now over the years I grown tremendously as a person. I have relaxed, I have become more confident, and I have come to learn more about these unspoken rules and how they will affect my life. I have also come to detest not only the N-word, but also any racially charged derogatory words such as cracker (I would say the c-word but that could mean a lot of things in the English language). I find that anyone treating others or even themselves differently based on race or ethnicity to be detestable. Everyone has there differences, many of which they cannot control.
Dr. Laura And The Huffington Post
I was recently reading an article in the Huffington Post about Dr. Laura’s recent spewing of the N-word on her talk show in which she repeatedly used the N-word when speaking to a black caller. In this article the writer, Keli Goff, a black man, goes into great detail on this problem that our society is facing. He talks with great wisdom and eloquence about how many in mainstream media and entertainment keep reinforcing the idea that the color of your skin dictates what you are allowed to say and do. Mr. Goff points out the many rappers that drop the N-word left and right in their songs, but then complain opening about racism in America.
Ending Racism In America Starts With You
I agree with Mr. Goff that this only contributes to and perpetuates racism in America. Its creating more of a problem, more frustration and anger, and is not at all helpful to the situation. These double-standards only serve to create tension when they come up. Either none of us can use these words or all of us can. This is one subject that we simply won’t be able to find a happy middle ground on. I vote that no one can use these words.
Until everyone understand this and treats others truly equally we will not be able to stop racism. We will only create more.
Tags: black, double-standards, dr. laura, huffinton post, race, racism, the n-word, white
