Thoughtful Thursday! I Turned In My Race Card!
I am going to do a spin off from my brother and sister-in-law’s blog/site. They have what they call Wordplay Wednesday, check it out at 7daybuzz.com. I am going to designate Thursday, or at least this Thursday, as a thought day and call this, Thoughtful Thursday. Here is my thought and I want you to come back and tell me what you think.
With all the talk about racial profiling and race issues, etc., how do you deal with being black in an environment where you see the “race card” used all the time! I work and live in a place where the percentage of minorities is extremely high, especially blacks. Recently I went on a trip with my boss. Unbeknownst to me until that trip, she is 1/2 white and 1/2 Japanese. I am not sure the people who work closely with her know that. I didn’t. It puts a different perspective on things. She then went from a white woman to a woman of color. If Obama – a half white and half black man – can be considered just black, surely I can think of my 1/2 Japanese boss as a woman of color. I had a beautiful time with her. She was lovely. But just this week, I hear whispers and backbiting and grumblings about her being prejudice. (heavy sigh…)
For me to use the race card, it really, really has to slap me in the face and be clear to call! I get so tired of hearing people say, she did that because I am black or you know if that was a white person, she wouldn’t have done that. I have repeatedly told people, “I like her and I don’t agree. I don’t believe that about her and she treats me good!” Maybe, just maybe if you were doing your work the way you were supposed to be doing your work, that wouldn’t have happened. Simple as that! And this particular boss isn’t the only one they say that about. It is a widespread phenomenon here at my place of employment and never ending! And there are so many blacks!!!
My question is:
- What will it take for little boys and girls to grow into big people who own their actions and cease from pulling out the race card?
- When will the card expire?
- Why are they still being distributed?
- Who is endorsing its continued used?
- Where does the card no longer have power?
- How long will it work?
I truly hope we as blacks can get over it and when situations arise, not go to racism as the first option and look at all the facts and possibilities before resorting to the race card.
How has my boss worked in the government system for 22 years, be one of the highest directors in the organization, maintained her promote ability status, do it all in an environment of about 65% blacks and honestly be prejudice?
Guess what, I’ve turned in my “race card” for a mirror! It was a very eye opening and refreshing experience! Now, I own me and all my thoughts, deeds and actions. I encourage others to do the same!
Holla Back with your Thursday Thought.
Ironically, race has been an issue in America since the end of January. Hmmm, I wonder why that is.
Since BHO was elected, racial issues have developed in a different manner. The silly part is the fact that white America has blatantly shown that if someone is part black, they consider them black. Has anyone heard of a group that has came forward and said BHO is simply another white president? All people may not feel like part black makes you black, but that is the overwhelming way mixed people are treated.
It will be a historic day when the race card, affirmative action, etc. isn’t needed. Until then, they are unfortunately part of life. I know people will abuse the race card, but it is a natural occurrence to use what you can to get ahead.
Yep. The thing here in GA is; they are ahead! There are so many blacks here that are managers and directors. The ones that aren’t, could be with time and hard work but they stay stuck in whining and looking for an easy way out! One co-worker, I’m told, is away from her desk and visits with other co-workers Monday through Thursday, and then on Friday she tries to do all her work in one day. What happens is she ends up talking bad to the clients because she is in rush/panic mode and then uses the race card when her “non black” boss calls her on the carpet about the quality of work she produces. I say simply grow up and do your work.
Race has been, before January, and will continue to be an issue in America. Why? Because it is taught in homes everyday. You have some White people who tell and teach their kids that Blacks (or any minority) is inferior to White people. You have have some Black people who tell their kids that they have to work twice as hard in education, workplace, etc. because more than likely a White person is going to be given the promotion or get into a prominent school quicker than they will. Heck, some Black people discriminate against their own!
Also, sometimes using the race card INITIALLY is warranted! For example, the deaf and mentally disabled Black man, with the mind of a 10-year-old, who was tasered and pepper sprayed then arrested in Mobile because he wouldn’t come out of a bathroom in Dollar General. He went into the bathroom because his stomach was hurting. Well he stayed in there for about an hour so someone called the police. The police came and banged on the door. He was deaf so he couldn’t hear them. So they broke down the door, tasered him! He thought someone was trying to kill him. When they finally took him out of the bathroom, they found his card that said he was deaf, which goes to prove he couldn’t hear them. They still af card, and they still arrested him for resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and failure to obey a police officer! When they took him before the Judge, the Judge wouldn’t even hear the case and dismissed the charges right away! To make matters worse, when the police took the man home, they just dropped him off in front of his house, let him out, and did not tell his family anything about what had occurred! Come on now, if this is not a racial incident, what is?
.-= Kim Sawyer´s last blog ..Wordplay Wednesday =-.
Girl I was sitting on the edge of my seat reading that story! That is awful. Every black person in Mobile should have whipped out their ace cards! Lord help me! I’ve backslid already! Leaving racism behind is a thing we have to overcome daily!
There is still discrimination, without a doubt! I am just tired of the people here crying racial foul all the time!
@Kathy – I can understand you being tired of people pulling out the “race card”, but if you don’t use it, isn’t that being unfair to yourself? Things like affirmative action are in place to promote fairness. Yes, by being unfair across the board (reverse racism) it is being fair to everyone. Sure people say we don’t need affirmative action and the race card is overplayed, but let’s try to do without those things for a year and see where we are – we may be back in the cotton fields looking for work.
Without laws, rules and standards, everything would be ran by white men and everyone else – white women included – would basically be second-class citizens.
I do not ever mind anyone legally using it! I mind lazy folk, in denial about themselves, using it daily and weekly!
Kim I agree with you. It started a long time ago and is taught at home. The adults are the ones that keep this going. Most children would be fine if it was not for their parents teaching them that they are better because of the color of their skin. I can not say anything about my boss. She is very kind to me. She is a lot different than the boss I had a few years back. She is the person that my friend replaced in his city job. Him nor a couple of my other friends like her but I love her. She is very good to me. She is the one that bring me puzzles to work and let me work them here when we are not busy She gave me a computer and some shoes that I just love. She was raised on the west side and we have known each other since grade school. She was raised in the same house my nephew lives in now.
.-= delores goodson´s last blog ..What to Expect On ‘Jon & Kate’ =-.
I guess I was not finished. I believe it is getting better because of BHO. The night he won, did you see how many white people was in the audience, more of them than there were of us. They were young people. Young people are beginning to think for themselves. I remember when I got my first apartment, I had to have a lady from Earlham College to go around with me. She would tell prople what could happen to them for not renting to me just because I was black. Then we looked at an apartment that was owned by Brandenburg that had the furniture store with the real nice furniture in it. I wanted the apartment and he sid no, I told him that I would sue him and win and I would get enough money to rent the apartment and then furnish it with furniture from his store. He glared at me then said I could rent it.
.-= delores goodson´s last blog ..What to Expect On ‘Jon & Kate’ =-.
@delores goodson – I have to agree and note a disagreement. Yes, there were many people other than black people there when BHO was elected. It was really good to see all of them there. But I have three points:
1. The fact that we notice them there means there are still problems with race.
2. BHO is half white so it shouldn’t be an issue…IF, we didn’t have an unwritten rule that says part black, considered black.
3. BHO’s election has made some racists desperate. They have seen a black man (because he is part black) “move on up” to the white house and it is eating some people up! Racism has taken on a different look – some things are blatant and some things are just different. One thing I learned while living in DC (I actually knew it before) is that what seems to be is only a fraction of what really is. In other words, when we hear about X, as unbelievable as it may seem it is probably XYZ.
.-= Tom Sawyer´s last blog ..My Race Would Not Do That! =-.
I agree with you 100% Kathy. I never “play” the race card. But if the shoe fits I will bring it out, like when my sons get followed up to the city limits by the police after visiting friends in a nearby town; or when my students are racially profiled by a clueless teacher; or when my cousin is mistreated by an attendent. BUT, if I didn’t work hard enough, or spoke disrespectfully, or forgot a task, that’s on me and I accept responsibility. It’s like walking a tightrope. Is that why I have high blood pressure in spite of taking care of myself?
The irony is that I found living in Atlanta so relaxing because race seldom came up. Everyone around me was black!
Hi Sharon. You finally made it to kleverkathy! Glad to see you!
I think ATL has progressed a little further than they have here 100 miles away in my area. Plus, I think the people I work with feel so at ease working for Uncle Sam that they think their jobs are pretty secure and all that racial, “they are doing me wrong” whining has become typical and ok.