Land of the free...
Home of the brave...
A great many patriotic phrases like these mantras capture the essence of a great nation - Unites States of America.
These same mantras will tick you the wrong way and sound a bit much and hypocritical when you contrast them in the context of racism and the racism experience in the US.
In Part I of this writeup I spoke mostly through my experiences to the encounters of racism as a black man in Europe and some of the racism I experienced. These experiences have informed my understanding and perception of racism, and how I navigated through that continent. Very little of my experience within Europe prepared me for the US and its brand of racism.
I must confess - I am new to racism - a neophyte of sorts. That is a true statement. Only in my adult life, and only in the West have I had to actually confront and live the racism experience. For most of my life, racism has been an abstract concept I have watched and read about, but never experienced till I left the Continent as an adult!
By my estimation, racism in the US is the most complex, inimical and dangerous of the experiences I have had. For any black man or woman in the US, racism is even more complicated because of the stench of slavery and its aftershocks and ripples. As an African, I cannot speak to the legacy of slavery, even though I experience both its benefits and its pitfalls in the context of being Black in America. There is a duality to slavery and its perception from a black viewpoint, that can be both advantageous and disadvantageous for the African ( sic: the ADOS movement).
By my estimation, racism in the US is the most complex, inimical and dangerous of the experiences I have had. For any black man or woman in the US, racism is even more complicated because of the stench of slavery and its aftershocks and ripples. As an African, I cannot speak to the legacy of slavery, even though I experience both its benefits and its pitfalls in the context of being Black in America. There is a duality to slavery and its perception from a black viewpoint, that can be both advantageous and disadvantageous for the African ( sic: the ADOS movement).
A good friend of mine once captured some of the essene of this distinction when she said,' … as an African, my name precedes me. Because of my names' general uniqueness and distinction, in the US, I am quickly identified by those around me as a more comfortable black- a less angry one'. I have learned this to be very true. My experience is that I am afforded understanding and even a degree of reverence due to my perceived originality. There is an easier interaction and association with white America I sense, partly because there is no sense of guilt or dread of repercussion. Diving even deeper, I think there are commonalities between us in filial context and a sense of comfort in known identity - as a black African, I might not know much, but who I am is not one them. As immigrants to a nation, there is generally no tension between White America and Immigrant African on the ownership and history of these United States - and I suspect because of that, a greater magnanimity, tolerance and even acceptance of their humanity. This is not to downplay the fact that because of that same Africanness - a difference in accent, dressing etc. - a different, more overt, more European kind of 'go-back-to-Africa' racism still exist, even more so in the age of Trump ( I promised myself not to go there, but elas, it is impossible!), and sadly amongst some of our own African American brethren. That kind still exist, but its very overt and non-institutionalized nature makes it the better of two evils in the US.
That statement alone makes for a sobering reality!
That statement alone makes for a sobering reality!
The most dangerous racism of all isn't the overt but the covert and institutionalized. Unfortunately, America specializes mostly in the latter!
As an black African in America, you quickly understand that you are seen, way before you are heard or understood. And to that end, many racist incidences are still part of your reality. Racist encounters with law enforcement who stop you for no good reason or demand more of you than is required. You will hit the 'black ceiling' when it comes to opportunity, dignity and respect. Partially because of the situations in our own countries and governments a sense of low expectations from both the government and law enforcement, some of these racist behaviors either go undetected or unacknowledged by Africans.
In a very true sense, ignorance sometimes is our bliss, and our .protection.
Because we aren't typically schooled in the racist undertones and innuendo that we encounter, ignorance helps with de-escalation, as the provoked reactions are typically absent. Of course I love chicken! (a scarce delicacy back in Africa), and water melon is amazing! And anyone stating the obvious to me or sliding it into a conversation or an a media ad, really registers zero on the 'Racism alert scale' for most Africans. I am sure I have disappointed a few myself.
Furthermore, our lack of knowledge of the rights or privileges we have as residents, means that aspects of institutionalized racism are more difficult for us to spot.This false sense of security and comfort they can be lulled into by dint of their Africanness and ignorance.
Furthermore, our lack of knowledge of the rights or privileges we have as residents, means that aspects of institutionalized racism are more difficult for us to spot.This false sense of security and comfort they can be lulled into by dint of their Africanness and ignorance.
Unfortunately, this state of ignorant bliss is quite untenable for very long, as we are jolted to the reality of racism everyday in the media. If it is not by a President who insults and denigrates us, it is by countless stories of black lives lost to law enforcement. For every time my African privilege meant I got a kind word and genuine interest of who I am, there were multiple Trayvon Martins; for each time we heard about the American dream, we encountered many 'I can't breathe' deaths of more black men; for each time we heard 'This land is my land, this land is your land', we also quickly and very prominently heard 'you people from shithole countries'. It doesn't take rocket science to see the criminal justice stats and wealth distribution to quickly realize the racism that is rife in this land.
A cursory look at the facts brings the realization that there aren't different kinds of black to racism. All black is made equal to a racist and a racist society. Your Africanness only buys you blinders which can do more harm than good in the grand scheme of things. You learn that knowing about your African American brothers and sisters, their history, and the rights they fought for, is your best shot at confronting racism in all its forms, whenever and wherever it rears its ugly head. A united front to speak out and call it out is the best way to confront this scourge. Defining racism past the black vs white dichotomy to include everyone - brown, red, blue etc. will only increase the power we have to change the status quo. I don't think racism is ever going away - call me a realist. I do however think that those who suffer racism can and should take on the mantle of dismantling its injustices, one after the other. And the only way to go at it, is to go at it together, your varied experiences be damned!
SoP @33kfeet
01/05/20\
