I hear that.
Stereotypes.
Unfounded stereotypes are bad enough. Some folks are walking stereotypes, though, and they really ruin it for the rest of us. (Or, at least, some of us feel like they do.)
Instead of just being ourselves, we don't want to be a stereotype and we certainly don't want to be too strongly associated with those who embrace and embody the worst stereotypes.
Representin'.
Some say I shouldn't, but I know that I look at random Black folks as representative of us, as a whole, and me, as an individual. I'm embarrassed by certain behavior... even when someone else is exhibiting that behavior.
Prejudice.
On top of all of this is the fact that so many non-Blacks (and Blacks, too, for that matter) are just LOOKING for something to confirm their prejudices about us. The oft-lamented "argumentative" label is a great example.
Labels.
As much negativity as I've seen floating and flying around the workplace, I know that whenever *I* speak up to share a different opinion and support it, in the face of opposition, I'm slapped with the "argumentative" label.
Someone once said that figurative labels are like their literal counterparts, bumper stickers. They're damned easy to apply, but they're hard as hell to remove.
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Instead of just being ourselves, we don't want to be a stereotype and we certainly don't want to be too strongly associated with those who embrace and embody the worst stereotypes.
As I read the above statement it brought to mind the fact that I won't eat fried chicken in the office.
Ha!
Damned if that doesn't remind me of a Chappelle skit from "The Lost Episodes."
(And, once again, I just did this, this morning. But fuggit. I was hungry!)
Of course, there's room for all kinds of people, Black or otherwise, in this world, but it's kinda hard to ignore the potential for someone to see me with a face fulla watermelon and picture this: click here
Believe it or not there was a time "mainly during my college years" that I wouldn't eat fried chicken or watermelon at all. It had to do with the stereotype, or fear of it.
That's a trip.
Kinda reminds me of how I go out of my way to NOT look suspicious in grocery stores and whatnot... NOT to look threatening to or at all interested in solo white women... etc.
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