Chris Rock, Isaiah Washington, and profiling: Why black people shouldn't have to "adapt."

[gollygee]

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/04/02/chris-rock-isaiah-washington-and-racial-profiling-why-black-people-shouldn-t-have-to-adapt.html

The tensions that have existed for generations between police and the black community are very real and born of fear and mistrust. The police have long operated as occupying forces in hostile territory—from the ways in which cops interact with black citizens to the rates of cops killing blacks compared to whites. That anxiety that stars like Rock and Foxx and countless others feel is shared by the average black person on the street—the average black person who doesn’t have hit movies or TV shows. That these stars are affected by it shouldn’t give validation to the protests of black folks; it should only amplify them.

(snip)

Of course, there has been no shortage of victim-blaming and “advice” to black people in how to deal with the racism of police officers. But Washington’s suggestion that the solution is to “adapt” to racism is just foolish and dangerous. You shouldn’t suggest black boys buy some suspenders to hold their pants up around cops; and you shouldn’t suggest that black celebs buy corny vehicles to curb racial profiling. The problem is racism. That racism is fluid and malleable; it changes to whatever becomes associated with black people. If driving a Prius became common for black people, then racist cops would start pulling over black people driving those cars. The onus is not on black people to adapt to oppression. To suggest that it’s a viable option is to enable that oppression.

(snip)

In having such a passion for cultural awareness, Washington should realize that “advising” black people to contort themselves into all manner of positions to navigate the murky waters of American racism is not the answer. Chris Rock or anyone else who wants to drive a nice car deserves that freedom. For the entirety of our existence in the Western world, black people have had to alter who they are for the sake of appeasing white standards or diminishing the racism that has been visited upon us. From hair chemicals to European names, part of our culture has been defined by making those kinds of “adjustments,” only to find ourselves continuously marginalized and terrorized. We’ve all heard that song, Mr. Washington. It’s past time to sing another one. We can’t continue to hop from one foot to the other in the hopes that someone will recognize our humanity; and we can’t be willing to forgo our freedom for the sake of false peace. A line has been drawn in the sand, culturally. It’s time for a different mindset.

Because racism is something that black people have had to adapt to for far too long.

[bravenak]

1. We've adapted. It will never be enough and always be our fault.

It's really not up to us to change. I'd b scared to teach my kids to be racist in this day and age. In a few generations the numbers will change so much you never know what might happen. What goes up must come down. If I were on top I'd make it my job to make it easier for the ones on bottom, just in case my people ever end up being the minority and on the bottom.

[treestar]

2. It's better than getting killed though

Don't resist arrest is good advice for anyone. And keep talking about it. But in context of having been arrested unfairly, not killed.

[MrScorpio]

3. That comment section is something right out of a white supremacist playbook

You'd think that it was those white commenters who were being harmed when it was noted that black celebs were being pulled over for nothing more than DWB.

[gollygee]

4. Wow. I didn't check that.

It seems like a lot of comments sections get like that, including my local news sites.

[MrScorpio]

5. Almost 200 comments so far

A bunch of them by the Butt-Hurt White Guy Brigade.

Most are getting their asses handed to them, BTW.

[gollygee]

6. Well good

I will have to read some. I read one or two and saw one by you, but haven't read more. I'm wondering what they're upset about. This wasn't a #notallwhitepeople kind of story. That seems to be a common trigger. It basically just asks why Chris Rock, a famous and wealthy celebrity, shouldn't be able to drive whatever car he wants.

[MrScorpio]

7. They feel offended by any discussion regarding discrimination against minorities

Their sense of privilege is being challenged.

These people have no idea what world they're living in.

[gollygee]

8. kick