Carrying a Burden
Carrying a Burden...
The other day I went to mail a package for an organization that came to do a character building assembly for my students. I went to a private postal service company and the White people behind the counter automatically assumed that I was mailing something for my “boss.”
Don’t misunderstand. I am not about to go into a tirade about how marginalized and subordinated I felt because they assumed I was doing something for my “boss.” However, there was a time when I would have been extremely angry.
I politely told them that I wasn’t mailing something for my “boss” after they inquired a second time. I didn’t feel like divulging that I am a Guidance Counselor. So they asked me again. Then I said, “I work in Education.” One lady inquired, “Oh, you’re a teacher?” I said, “No, I am a Guidance Counselor in an elementary school.” All three of the workers said, “Oh! Good for you!” I politely smiled. They said, “Good for you,” again, just to make certain that I heard them.
I thanked them for helping me with my package and I left. This is not an uncommon experience for Blacks who are educated. By the way, 17% of “us” have a four-year degree or higher compared to 30% of Whites. Not bad for over 200 years of subjugation!
I had similar experiences all throughout college and graduate school. People always told me how “articulate” I was with this look of confusion on their faces. That look used to get underneath my skin!
I was angry with the proverbial “system” for a very long time. I was never rude to White professors and students who would compliment me, but on the inside I secretly thought they were simultaneously insulting my race. Because I was, and still am (at least partially) still into the whole black solidarity thing. I am no longer angry with White people when they make compliments and are grateful that I (thankfully, by the grace of my Jesus) beat the odds. They’re not being “racist.” These white people are cognizant of the issues in the African American community and are celebrating a victory. They are celebrating a triumph. Wow! She made it! This was probably, at least partially, in the works in terms of Obama’s victory.
Members of Blackademia (Black members of Academia) who often aid and abet the victimology mindset, often write about the resentment that they feel when they too are “complimented” for being able to speak the English language properly. Now, I ask, why be angry with White people? Unfortunately statistically Black males are more likely to commit crimes. So the reticence to hire a black male, at the very least, is understandable given the stats on crime rates based on gender and race. Please do not misunderstand my point. I am not condoning this practice of deliberately disqualifying someone based on their race. My point is simply that it’s understandable given the current empirical evidence on crime based on race. Unfortunately, many times, I have heard Black business owners verbalize their skepticism about hiring people that look like them! This is not a phenomena that is strictly a white domain.
But let’s get back to my original point. Instead of getting angry with Whites for complimenting us on our intelligence, maybe we should get angry with the Blacks that continue to make bad decisions that affect us all. There are many, I repeat, MANY good Black men that want to do things the right way. They don’t want to rob anyone, they don’t want to steal, or sell drugs as a means of subsistence. They actually want to work that 9-5 and earn their money the right way. When they are overlooked for a job because of the knuckleheads that don’t give a crap about “black solidarity,” the hard-working Blacks suffer and so does the business owner who might possibly miss out on an assiduous worker . The Black Conservatives who are outspoken about this like Shelby Steele, Clarence Thomas, Thomas Sowell, Walter E. Williams, Star Parker, Condi Rice etc... are labeled as "sellouts". I’ve been called a sellout too. I will PROUDLY be a "sellout" if that means I no longer have a seat on the "victicrat" (thanks for that word Larry Elder) train!
In all seriousness, the irony here is that the “sellouts” are not the people that terrorize our neighborhoods...or the ones that walk out on their families. Nope. Black Conservatives are "sellouts" because we recognize the issues in our communities and propose alternate means as solutions. For example, instead of throwing money at decrepit schools, let’s give those concerned parents school vouchers. We don’t claim to know everything, but Black Conservatives are audacious enough to point out the issues and are inherently invested in things getting better. This contrasts with the Left who benefit from dishing out the victim cards every single chance they get! (--Cough-- Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson)
So, thankfully, I am a Conservative now; my burden has shifted. I’m not angry with those White people who are genuinely happy because of my accomplishments. I am frustrated with the Black people that hold my ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ back because of the harmful decisions they make. I don't have the gift of anonymity that some of my brothers and sisters in other races have. If you look like me, I am affected by the decisions that you make. Please make wise ones.
The other day I went to mail a package for an organization that came to do a character building assembly for my students. I went to a private postal service company and the White people behind the counter automatically assumed that I was mailing something for my “boss.”
Don’t misunderstand. I am not about to go into a tirade about how marginalized and subordinated I felt because they assumed I was doing something for my “boss.” However, there was a time when I would have been extremely angry.
I politely told them that I wasn’t mailing something for my “boss” after they inquired a second time. I didn’t feel like divulging that I am a Guidance Counselor. So they asked me again. Then I said, “I work in Education.” One lady inquired, “Oh, you’re a teacher?” I said, “No, I am a Guidance Counselor in an elementary school.” All three of the workers said, “Oh! Good for you!” I politely smiled. They said, “Good for you,” again, just to make certain that I heard them.
I thanked them for helping me with my package and I left. This is not an uncommon experience for Blacks who are educated. By the way, 17% of “us” have a four-year degree or higher compared to 30% of Whites. Not bad for over 200 years of subjugation!
I had similar experiences all throughout college and graduate school. People always told me how “articulate” I was with this look of confusion on their faces. That look used to get underneath my skin!
I was angry with the proverbial “system” for a very long time. I was never rude to White professors and students who would compliment me, but on the inside I secretly thought they were simultaneously insulting my race. Because I was, and still am (at least partially) still into the whole black solidarity thing. I am no longer angry with White people when they make compliments and are grateful that I (thankfully, by the grace of my Jesus) beat the odds. They’re not being “racist.” These white people are cognizant of the issues in the African American community and are celebrating a victory. They are celebrating a triumph. Wow! She made it! This was probably, at least partially, in the works in terms of Obama’s victory.
Members of Blackademia (Black members of Academia) who often aid and abet the victimology mindset, often write about the resentment that they feel when they too are “complimented” for being able to speak the English language properly. Now, I ask, why be angry with White people? Unfortunately statistically Black males are more likely to commit crimes. So the reticence to hire a black male, at the very least, is understandable given the stats on crime rates based on gender and race. Please do not misunderstand my point. I am not condoning this practice of deliberately disqualifying someone based on their race. My point is simply that it’s understandable given the current empirical evidence on crime based on race. Unfortunately, many times, I have heard Black business owners verbalize their skepticism about hiring people that look like them! This is not a phenomena that is strictly a white domain.
But let’s get back to my original point. Instead of getting angry with Whites for complimenting us on our intelligence, maybe we should get angry with the Blacks that continue to make bad decisions that affect us all. There are many, I repeat, MANY good Black men that want to do things the right way. They don’t want to rob anyone, they don’t want to steal, or sell drugs as a means of subsistence. They actually want to work that 9-5 and earn their money the right way. When they are overlooked for a job because of the knuckleheads that don’t give a crap about “black solidarity,” the hard-working Blacks suffer and so does the business owner who might possibly miss out on an assiduous worker . The Black Conservatives who are outspoken about this like Shelby Steele, Clarence Thomas, Thomas Sowell, Walter E. Williams, Star Parker, Condi Rice etc... are labeled as "sellouts". I’ve been called a sellout too. I will PROUDLY be a "sellout" if that means I no longer have a seat on the "victicrat" (thanks for that word Larry Elder) train!
In all seriousness, the irony here is that the “sellouts” are not the people that terrorize our neighborhoods...or the ones that walk out on their families. Nope. Black Conservatives are "sellouts" because we recognize the issues in our communities and propose alternate means as solutions. For example, instead of throwing money at decrepit schools, let’s give those concerned parents school vouchers. We don’t claim to know everything, but Black Conservatives are audacious enough to point out the issues and are inherently invested in things getting better. This contrasts with the Left who benefit from dishing out the victim cards every single chance they get! (--Cough-- Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson)
So, thankfully, I am a Conservative now; my burden has shifted. I’m not angry with those White people who are genuinely happy because of my accomplishments. I am frustrated with the Black people that hold my ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ back because of the harmful decisions they make. I don't have the gift of anonymity that some of my brothers and sisters in other races have. If you look like me, I am affected by the decisions that you make. Please make wise ones.
You made me think about some of my feelings around this it is on point. I too hope our people make the right decisions...but **sigh** I think not.
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Well stated.
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As always, you hit the nail on the head. You clearly have a gift.s
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That's so true vanessa "if you look like me I am affected by the decision you make"some black people think that white people are against so therefor instead of proving them wrong by becoming something of ourselves we stayed back and blame people just because we didn't get up and do what we have to do. That's why I love being a conservative cause we believe that everyone has opportunity and the ability to make their dreams come true. Black or white education is always there. You just have to look for it..
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How should I reply, or comment that would bring us closer as GOD's children and not seperate us as black or white.
After spending two years in East Bilxo,MS post katrina, I now try to reference to others in conversations not as "you know that (black, asian, latino) guy" but as do you know that guy. In our church we have black, Asian, Latino, hispanic and white. What do I do?
BTW, found your blog through Digital Publius...
Great Blog.
Love and peace
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