But I Thought...
Seriously...?
Last month following a Black Solidarity event, SUNY New Paltz students found a 'colored only' sign on a water fountain in a campus building. A couple of days later, another sign was found in a dorm hall that read, "lynch n----rs Nov. 10 at 7:30." The response of anger, hurt, rage, and safety were understandable and I share the same emotions. New Paltz College is known for its diverse student body and social activity. Antics like this should not be taken lightly.
"You're joking," "this can't be for real," "woooord," were some of the thoughts racing through my mind. This event went viral on various social outlets. As I read an article from the Huffington Post, part of me is quick to get angry and write some unholy words in this post about how socially constipated society remains. At the same time, the other part of me is not surprised. Anything that promotes positivity within a minority group is quickly subjected to blatent ignorance. The Euke' Joint radio show went in on their Nov. 11th broadcast. The radio hosts and special guests discussed not only the outrage on campus, but also various cultural hate crimes, white privilege, and affirmative action. What do I take from this breakdown?
White privilege deals with things that white people do that is considered the norm. Affirmative action was created to counteract that white privilege because people of color have to worry about their history, way of life, and what is considered normal in their culture. Black people remain constant living testimonies to the sour lemons they have been given in life and how they always come out with electric lemonade, by using what they've got to get what they want, even in the face of racism.
It's ironic people sincerely believe that in 2011, we would be progressing beyond the color lines. Yet this crap keeps happening. I was happy to learn that the school's president sent out a mass email to the campus community concerning demands of real change. Dr. Karanja Carroll, chairman of the Black Studies Department, used this moment of outrage as an opportunity for students and faculty to examine the reality of racism and its cancerous effects in a sick world.
Using music as one my remedies to cope and keep the hope, these few songs help me realize that the awareness is out there:
DEEP DOWN IN MY SOUL by Nickey Black
Mr. Black touches on racism in this song and how in some way we humans remain slaves to some societal flaws.
A beautiful video produced by Akili Omari, this song questions the validity of the colorblind ideology.
Putting the soul in Philly soul, the O'Jays sing about how love for humanity should be a fact of life.
Why be afraid to talk about race?
*shoutout to Euclyn, Shatera, Krystal and the special guests for their awesome broadcast*
P.S.,
~Into a world sick with racism, get well soon-Janet Jackson~
Last month following a Black Solidarity event, SUNY New Paltz students found a 'colored only' sign on a water fountain in a campus building. A couple of days later, another sign was found in a dorm hall that read, "lynch n----rs Nov. 10 at 7:30." The response of anger, hurt, rage, and safety were understandable and I share the same emotions. New Paltz College is known for its diverse student body and social activity. Antics like this should not be taken lightly.
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| Photo courtesy of Daily Kos. |
White privilege deals with things that white people do that is considered the norm. Affirmative action was created to counteract that white privilege because people of color have to worry about their history, way of life, and what is considered normal in their culture. Black people remain constant living testimonies to the sour lemons they have been given in life and how they always come out with electric lemonade, by using what they've got to get what they want, even in the face of racism.
It's ironic people sincerely believe that in 2011, we would be progressing beyond the color lines. Yet this crap keeps happening. I was happy to learn that the school's president sent out a mass email to the campus community concerning demands of real change. Dr. Karanja Carroll, chairman of the Black Studies Department, used this moment of outrage as an opportunity for students and faculty to examine the reality of racism and its cancerous effects in a sick world.
Using music as one my remedies to cope and keep the hope, these few songs help me realize that the awareness is out there:
DEEP DOWN IN MY SOUL by Nickey Black
Mr. Black touches on racism in this song and how in some way we humans remain slaves to some societal flaws.
A beautiful video produced by Akili Omari, this song questions the validity of the colorblind ideology.
Putting the soul in Philly soul, the O'Jays sing about how love for humanity should be a fact of life.
Why be afraid to talk about race?
*shoutout to Euclyn, Shatera, Krystal and the special guests for their awesome broadcast*
P.S.,
~Into a world sick with racism, get well soon-Janet Jackson~
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