Four Friends Sitting at a Table, Two Discussing Racism

There’s a group of four sitting having lunch, talking about this Black woman who just got let go for some racially charged comments that were probably made in poor taste. So two of them, don’t really focus on race too much, but the other two are a little outspoken about it. The white guy says, “Black people are more racist than white people. Like how many times in a day do you think white people even think about Black people?” The black guy replies, “That’s racist!” Personally, I’ve still not been able to digest it.
(Source: Yesterday’s Morning Mail)

So basically, I’ll be the first one to tell you that I believe there is no such thing as reverse discrimination, it’s just discrimination. And I’ll be the first one to tell you that yes, Black people are some of the most racist people in “de world.” They just are. If you look up the definition for racism, no where will you find it says, “when white people…” Anybody can be racist.

Racism - discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race.

But anyway, so the conversation continued, and the Black guy exclaimed, “White people are in their own environment in America, therefore, they don’t have to think about Black people, that is white priviledge. Black people have to think about whites everyday of their life because it smacks them in the face everyday.” I am the other Black guy at the table, who hates conversations around race because people get so mad about it, and often times have so much built up inside. So the white guy counters, “That has nothing to do with the fact that Black people are racist too.” I think Black people are racist and I think that the excuse that Blacks aren’t racist because they lack power, is complete crap. Black people close doors on white people everyday.

Peep this, have you ever seen like one white person in a Black club? Have you seen how people will pick at him or her? They will intimidate the person into leaving or something. That sounds eerily familiar. Here in DC I went to a bar, Old Glory, and if you’re from DC you know that Old Glory is very bright, Black people don’t go there. But I do, that’s because you know my crowd is like Dave Chappelle’s fans. So I go in there a couple weekends ago and there’s mad Black people in there and I thought look how far we have came. I can tell you right now, there will never be a day when you walk into Love nightclub and there’s “mad white people” in there.

On the other hand, I will say this, Black people have been given a blank check on racism for too long in this country, but if you look at the Bank guaranteeing the money it reads, “The United States of America.” And last I checked, there were no Black people around when that check was written. All this rambling to say, Black people need to stop being so defensive about race. If you go looking for something you will find it. You will have to bear with people outside of your race not knowing about your race, it’s not racism, but you can’t accusate before you educate. Instead, of accusing this guy of being racist for not thinking about Black people, maybe his second comment should have been his first comment. It might have inspired a better dialogue. I still wouldn’t have participated though.