"I am talking about a book which parades in the most vulgar fashion prejudices and insults from which a section of mankind has suffered untold agonies and atrocities in the past and continues to do so in many ways and many places today. I am talking about a story in which the very humanity of black people is called in question."
Chinua Achebe on 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad
A very subtle form of this is in stereotyping. I want to share this experience because not only has it scraped against my soul in an annoying way, it has illuminated a fact to me. One particular individual has been open enough to voice his percption of me on more occasions than even I can bear. But perhaps these have been good in showing me what thoughts could be lurking in people that think white and think European.
The black female sterotype returns to haunt me in the form of "you look angry", "OMG, you looked so pissed in that picture", "are you mad?", "why are you angry?"
Now I ask, has there ever been any offense in not smiling. Should I smile for every waking moment I expel air. For those who are not black and female and are allowed to contemplate serious things every now and then, I envy you. That you are not bombarded with a reminder of how angry the world thinks you are. Just because, you know, you are a black woman and that's what is expected right.
These questions along with "What's wrong?" when it's clear that nothing could be wrong irritate me on several levels. For me it does not imply concern, though the speaker may try to bring this across. Rather it is a sinister way of elevating themselves above you. Thinking that you are "sad" or "angry" "all the time" (real quotes from the same dude) reveals a firm belief in these status quo ideas that society has constructed. So deep, they defy the logic of what is in front of you. I could smile all day but it wouldn't change the thing deeply embedded in your mind and that things spells "angry black woman". Wonder where you heard that one.
Also, about thinking people of colour look the same. We don't fuckers, we don't.
2 comments:
To begin with, no names have been mentioned in this blog therefore any individual claiming that it they are the identity holder of the person I speak of is free to do so at a speculative level only. You are fully entitled to draw your own conclusions but know that I have made no mention of any person's identity.
Moving on, with regards to linking the quote up with the idea of stereotypes. Achebe addresses a fundamental flaw in the minds of Westernized individuals when it comes to perceiving non-Whites. That they are not as well-rounded or individualistic in character. You see this in the manifestation of stereotypes. One-dimensional views on groups of people that nullifies their individuality. In this case, the angry black woman stereotype (google for more info) which makes a person that has bought the stereotypes believe that this emotion is not merely an emotion in the person involved but rather a part of their nature. Achebe discusses this tendency in the rest of the essay:
http://kirbyk.net/hod/image.of.africa.html
Stereotypes therefore dehumanize people by simplifying them. Humans are complex. To reduce a person to one or two characteristics is therefore dehumanizing.
Also, where on Earth would you have found out about my past relationships. That's information I barely share with friends worse yet to strangers.
You should also be aware of the fact that even if I were to stop discussing racism and sexism, they would not go anywhere. The fact that I talk about them makes me a person aware of their social environment. If I choose to stop thinking about these two issues, I would be in great denial about what is really going on around me.
More information on this stereotype here:
http://theangryblackwoman.wordpress.com/about/
Also, watch movies and notice the absolute absence of people of colour and when they do appear, they are often presented in the usual stereotypical manner.
You have much to learn but I hope in due time the scales will be removed from your eyes. May the God above bless you.
Also, almost forgot...read this blog post as well:
http://stuffwhitepeopledo.blogspot.com/2010/01/dismiss-non-white-explanations-of.html
It could help you understand why you took my explanation and tried to turn it on its head by calling it out as baseless by stating that I only make these claims because I am "insecure" apparently. This is classic derailing at work.
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