Let's jump right on in, shall we?
The Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday has special meaning for me. I remember the battle waged to get a national holiday honoring King and how much it meant to my parents. They were in their 20s during the 1960s and active in the movement. They watched segregation laws crumble and communities rebel in the face of change. They watched cities burn when Dr. King was murdered in 1968. And they passed that history on to their children along with the knowledge that many sacrificed much so that we could have the opportunities we do.
For me the MLK holiday is a day to remember the movement and all the extraordinary ordinary people who made it possible.
I tend to avoid the brunches and services and parades. I prefer to watch episodes of Eyes on the Prize and ponder the power of people...regular people...working to make a positive difference.
It is their normalcy...so easy to forget...that is so extraordinary. Too many of us put activists on pedestals and speak of their actions as if quoting scripture...particularly Dr. King.
But, in doing so, we lose the beauty of their accomplishments and the meaning of our inheritance just when we need to understand it most.
The struggle for social justice is anything but history. Poverty, separate and anything but equal education, laws that protect discrimination instead of people, an unjust war and I could go on and on.
There is much work to be done.
Miles and miles yet to go.
And we can take some encouragement from the words of Dr. King...
If you can't fly, run; if you can't run, walk; if you can't walk--CRAWL.
By all means, keep on moving...
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Notes from a bitch....
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.feministing.com/cgi-bin/movabletype/mt-tb.fcgi/11453
If you can't fly, run; if you can't run, walk; if you can't walk--CRAWL.
By all means, keep on moving...
And that is exactly what feministing commenters have chosen to do, fly right past this post as if it is somehow irrelevant. I thought that what you wrote was thought provoking and moving. It angered me to see that 4 hours after being posted not a single person could be bothered to comment. What's the matter white feminists is it too racial for you? Once again proving how much you give a damn about the issues of POC. Your silence convicts you.
Whoa, ouch. I thought this post was beautiful and inspiring, and am really hurt by your hostility.
"What's the matter white feminists is it too racial for you? Once again proving how much you give a damn about the issues of POC."
I thought injustice for some people was injustice for all people? I don't really give a damn what color your skin is, everyone deserves to be treated with decency and respect by other human beings. It is really hurtful to me that just because I didn't respond within "4 hours of it being posted" that I "don't give a damn about the issues of POC".
I am grateful for anyone willing to stand up and say "Hey, we're all human beings and we all deserve the same rights and opportunities!", especially against the opposition Equal Rights activists like Martin Luther King Jr. faced. If not for the people that stood up and said that segregation is wrong and we all deserve rights and respect, no matter what we look like or where we come from, I wouldn't be able to post this right now.
We DO still have a long way to go- things aren't even CLOSE to equal for people of all genders, races, religions, orientations, and social classes. Just because I happen to be white doesn't mean I don't care about anyone with more melanin than I have, or that I can't be inspired by the people who paved the way for me to able to stand up for myself and say I deserve to be treated as an equal, with respect.
Hostility and finger-pointing like that cheapens the meaning of this wonderful post- we all have to work TOGETHER to get justice for EVERYONE, because as long as somebody is "less than", NONE of us are equal.
Sharkfu, thanks for sharing.
Right, hostility and finger pointing: I simply told the truth. There are 6 comments on this post and two of them belong to me. Would you be happier if poc just let you continue to fuck up without calling you on your bullshit. O I'sa sorry I stepped out line missus...once again a failure to engage critically is a sign of not owning your privilege.
I wasn't trying to imply that your comments about the lack of attention to a worthy post were unfounded- few people commented on it, and it raised important points. I'm sorry if you were hurt or offended by my response- that was completely not my intention.
By "hostility and finger-pointing", I was referring to the comments about "white feminists". You said in your original comment you were angered by the lack of response, and specifically mention "white feminists" for not commenting because the topic is "too racial" and they "don't give give a damn about the issues of POC". I may have interpreted the tone of the post incorrectly, but I was upset when I read that- because few people commented on this post about POC, as a white feminist I am racist and uncaring?
I agree with you that it's unfortunate that there was not more response to this post- the only points I was attempting to make were that not commenting doesn't equal not caring, being white doesn't mean you are indifferent to issues of POC, and I personally found those implications offensive, because I feel that anyone who wants an equal society should care about everyone being equal.
My intent was not to offend POC, to tell you how to view or talk about people's reactions to the issues of POC, to make a statement about race relations on Feministing, or to say "I'm right and you're wrong"- I was just saying that I PERSONALLY, REPRESENTING ONLY MY OWN FEELINGS ON THE SUBJECT, was really bothered by the implication that because I'm white, I am unconcerned by the suffering of other human beings.
I sincerely apologize if my comment came off as anything other than I intended. I can completely understand the comment about "not owning my own privilege" if it sounded like I was saying you had no right to be upset about something very valid that I admit I have little personal experience with. My only issue with your comment was that I do care if other people are hurting, no matter their skin color, and I think it's incredibly sad if enough people don't give a damn about others that you feel a whole section of humanity are selfish, unconcerned jerks. I don't think that skin color determines a person's value, and I really hope that belief has nothing to do with me being white and having the option to believe it, and everything to do with caring about anyone who is being mistreated and a desire to stand up for them.
Given how quickly most posts accumulate responses it IS rather ominous. Renee's observation was a general one, it wasn't directed at you personally.
What's the matter white feminists is it too racial for you?
Since no one commented, that also means that minority feminists didn't comment, either.
Given the outpouring of emotions that's swept the country this week, I really doubt that not responding to every inspiring and motivational post on the 'net is any indication of how anyone feels about anything.
If you can't fly, run; if you can't run, walk; if you can't walk--CRAWL.
By all means, keep on moving...
And that is exactly what feministing commenters have chosen to do, fly right past this post as if it is somehow irrelevant. I thought that what you wrote was thought provoking and moving. It angered me to see that 4 hours after being posted not a single person could be bothered to comment. What's the matter white feminists is it too racial for you? Once again proving how much you give a damn about the issues of POC. Your silence convicts you.
Yes indeed, we do sometimes need that push to keep up the good fight. Thanks for posting this.
Hey, just because I don't comment doesn't mean I'm not reading. Sometimes I'm just trying to learn what I can from someone else's experience. I don't like to comment if I don't feel I'm adding to the conversation. As usual Sharkfu's awesome writing is way beyond anything I could come up with.
Where I live the black people are really nasty. The other morning I was leaving my apartment. I opened the door and before I even stepped into the hallway, 3 different black guys asked me for a cigarette. I said "no" and the black chick with them was like "Oh, this cracka's got an attitude." and they tried to block the stairwell so I couldn't leave.
Of course, you can't really get too mouthy back- they travel in groups so if you piss them off they'll jump you and steal your wallet.
And, of course, if you do get mouthy or fight back when they're trying to rob you, this would constitute a "hate crime" and you'd take some heat in the kangaroo court we have here.
This month a taxi driver and a pizza delivery dude were robbed at gunpoint right on the sidewalk outside the building. Of course, the police never do anything about it. The funny thing is, we live right across from the "human services" building which provides all sorts of support and constantly updated job opportunity postings, so no one can really say "they're just mad because whitey is oppressing them and they have no job opportunities."
You're not aloud to state the obvious, of course, because then you're a racist and that is a crime as well (despite free speech). We have a black president now so I'm not gonna wanna here the whole "whitey owes us" crap anymore.
Hey, Africa's only 6,000 miles away, that's not too far by today's standards, is it?
Though I read a lot of blogs I am new to the “response” aspect. But as I was reading the comments I could not help but think WOW to your comment. I don’t even know where to begin my comment. I don’t know where to start to express my frustration for your comment. How dare you generalize “all black people” or even judge the people you live near. First, the request made those three individuals for a cigarette has no bearing on their race. Second, “you can't really get too mouthy back- they travel in groups so if you piss them off they'll jump you and steal your wallet”- Do you know how many black people have been chased by MOBS of white people, chased to their death and I’m not talking about way back in the day in the good ole 60’s in the good ole south, I’m talking about now (not a justification for the action). Why would you assume that someone would jump you for saying no? And steal your wallet are you serious? You live in the same neighborhood as them so obviously you’re not doing to much better than them. What gives you the right to draw these conclusions? And please don’t say something dumb like “TV”. Third, do you know why there are laws against hate crimes? I’ll give you a clue . . . because people commit them! To make light of something as serious as a hate crime shows just how simple-minded you are in respect to the meaning and purpose of those laws. Fourth, “stating the obvious” is not racist, it’s stating ignorance and believing it and possibly spreading it to others that is the problem. The “whitey” you speak of has no concept of what it means to be black in America (and doing a documentary like we are animals in the zoo is not helpful). You have no idea what it is like to be JUDGED before you open your mouth, before you even begin to relay any thoughts or opinions you may have. You have no idea what it means to walk down the street and be ignored because someone (like you) is making an assumption about you. You want to state the obvious lets state it: (1) White people steal; they steal anything they can get their hands on. They stole land from Native Americans and African Americans. They steal identities, they steal ideas and pass them along as their own, they steal; (2) white people let their ignorance run their lives. They assume that anything different from them is wrong and should be done away with. They feel the need to control that which is different; and (3) white people are cowards. They hide behind things, like mask and hoods, to get their points across. Now what did me “stating the obvious” do to help the situation . . . .not a damn thing, it only added to the ignorance that you previously wrote. Also, what the hell does Africa’s position on a map have to do with anything? You do know that Europe isn’t that far either? Oh wait let me guess your American, well here is a news flash Everybody was brought over here in a boat some where “goods” others were captions, some came by choice some came by force . . . .bottom line YOU CAN LEAVE JUST AS WELL!
Though I read a lot of blogs I am new to the “response” aspect. But as I was reading the comments I could not help but think WOW to your comment. I don’t even know where to begin my comment. I don’t know where to start to express my frustration for your comment. How dare you generalize “all black people” or even judge the people you live near. First, the request made those three individuals for a cigarette has no bearing on their race. Second, “you can't really get too mouthy back- they travel in groups so if you piss them off they'll jump you and steal your wallet”- Do you know how many black people have been chased by MOBS of white people, chased to their death and I’m not talking about way back in the day in the good ole 60’s in the good ole south, I’m talking about now. Why would you assume that someone would jump you for saying no? And steal your wallet are you serious? You live in the same neighborhood as them so obviously you’re not doing to much better than them. What gives you the right to draw these conclusions? And please don’t say something dumb like “TV”. Third, do you know why there are laws against hate crimes? I’ll give you a clue . . . because people commit them! To make light of something as serious as a hate crime shows just how simple-minded you are in respect to the meaning and purpose of those laws. Fourth, “stating the obvious” is not racist, it’s stating ignorance and believing it and possibly spreading it to others that is the problem. The “whitey” you speak of has no concept of what it means to be black in America (and doing a documentary like we are animals in the zoo is not helpful). You have no idea what it is like to be JUDGED before you open your mouth, before you even begin to relay any thoughts or opinions you may have. You have no idea what it means to walk down the street and be ignored because someone (like you) is making an assumption about you. You want to state the obvious lets state it: (1) White people steal; they steal anything they can get their hands on. They stole land from Native Americans and African Americans. They steal identities, they steal ideas and pass them along as their own, they steal; (2) white people let their ignorance run their lives. They assume that anything different from them is wrong and should be done away with. They feel the need to control that which is different; and (3) white people are cowards. They hide behind things, like mask and hoods, to get their points across. Now what did me “stating the obvious” do to help the situation . . . .not a damn thing, it only added to the ignorance that you previously wrote. Also, what the hell does Africa’s position on a map have to do with anything? You do know that Europe isn’t that far either? Oh wait let me guess your American, well here is a news flash Everybody was brought over here in a boat somewhere “goods” others were captions, some came by choice some came by force . . . .bottom line YOU CAN LEAVE JUST AS WELL!
i myself am part of the population who believes that one person can't do anything. Not unless that one person has the money or friends in high places or the emotional and idealistic impact of those people in high places. Personally, i think it's all left up to the government, yet politics is just politics. it's blackmailing and empty promises by people running for government who want your vote after which they could care less what happens to the poor. I live in Canada, but if I were American, I would have definately voted for Obama, a man with such promising ideals. I think the fact that he won government signifies that the world may be changing for the better...because I never thought he would win. I thought that the world is still as racist as it was 50 or even 100 years ago, and would never allow a black president. Such promising hope the world holds, just when I thought i had thoguht it wouldn't happen, it surprises me.