My family and I went to go see Tyler Perry perform recently. For those of you who don't know who he is, don't worry. He's a famous writer, producer, actor, director, and also a Christian. Not only that, but he's black, and his target audience is also black. Why the emphasis on his race? Well over the past couple of years I've come to realize that there are separate TV networks and magazine designated for certain people of color. Since I'm black I'll throw out magazines such as Ebony, or Jet geared towards black females. I was always bothered and annoyed that there were certain things designed only for blacks, or things designed only for Mexicans. Aren't we all just Americans? Haven't we gotten past separate but equal struggles? Then I experienced my own personal race and gender crisis and thought less of myself because I was a black female. I bounced back and it just hit me; I can understand and appreciate why people still want certain things separate but equal. Many horrible things have occurred over the course of history that are still deeply rooted and ingrained in our heads, families, and way of living. Because of that, it is still going to take us time to fully be one equal nation. We still have a ways to go.
I've grown up very fortunate to have lived in the military life style. I have been all over the world and have experienced different types of cultures and backgrounds. For the majority of my life I was proud to be different well rounded female. Yes, I was black, but I enjoyed a little bit of everything. Then it hit one day, "You're still just a black female." Being black had its baggage I came to realize.
Statistically compared to women of other races, white women in particular, black women have a higher STD and AIDS rate, have higher blood pressure and cholesterol, high obesity rates. Even in the area of adult entertainment I discovered black women to be the least sought after. For example, my senior year of high school, I'm standing in line behind a couple of Mexican classmates when I over hear one of them say, "Don't forget to call for the strippers tonight, and don't get any black girls again." At that time it didn't bother me, but later it did. Later down the road I talked with a male friend who told me that when his friends have strippers over they never have black ones. The last time they did, they just kept skipping over her.
All of these negative thoughts marinated in my mind, consuming my normal thought process. And I realized that there were other women who have their own struggles and problems pertaining to their race, but consider how difficult it is when the simple word "black" has a negative connotation in itself. Black Plague for instance. Black cats are bad luck. Darkness is usually associated with sin. Most villains wear black. Mormons believe that darker skinned people are the descendants on Kain and their skin is dark because it represents his sin. And to top it all off, growing up as a little girl, there wasn't even a Disney black princess.
Ridiculous and absurd you may think, but it really kept me down for a while. I even brought it up to my mom, which is something I didn't normally do. She's pretty blunt when it comes time to dealing with issues in this area. I presented her with all of my thoughts and fears. Quite simply she said, "Well then don't become another statistic." That instantly broke down my insecurities. Moments before I was ready to band up with other Blacks and just stick to my own kind, simply because I felt that's where I could feel at home. I wanted to be with people who knew what it was like to be like me. My mom's words made me realize that it doesn't matter. Just be you and take care of you. Since then, I've been focusing on that. I have broken out of that mind set, but what about the rest of the world?
(to be continued)
@nmwaverly - well i can't view your page just yet but soon very soon.
Hi Emma! Thank you for being my friend -- that is really sweet of you! Have a wonderful week, and be sure to keep in touch. Love, Dan nmwaverly@yahoo.com .
ok girl i get ya . but that would be any time i see ya on line right pretty?
@emra_cadaver - I've been pretty good. Playing games and going to the library so I have something to do. Was just making sure you were okay. Whenever you post again I'll make sure to comment.
ok (imported from memories)
Memories (2)