I Am Pro Black
Question to my fellow black Americans
The call for “ representation “ does it help us in the long run ? Or does it further put the brakes on real progress ?
For example 10 years ago, black America cheered in celebration of the first “ black” president who was now supposed to be a sign that any of us could expire to the highest heights regardless of circumstance.
But could the 44th President ever be in a position to speak for us ? The short answer is no , the long answer is also no .
I don’t don’t just say that because Obama isn’t African American, nor do I say it because he’s biracial, I also say it because he’s expected to represent a class of people he has nothing in common with . Giving speeches that come from the perspective of someone who had grandparents that could afford to send him to good schools .
And the same can be said for Hollywood, there’s a call for representation on the big screen as well . But is it really a win ? Or is it just another shiny object that distracts ?
The call for “ representation “ does it help us in the long run ? Or does it further put the brakes on real progress ?
For example 10 years ago, black America cheered in celebration of the first “ black” president who was now supposed to be a sign that any of us could expire to the highest heights regardless of circumstance.
But could the 44th President ever be in a position to speak for us ? The short answer is no , the long answer is also no .
I don’t don’t just say that because Obama isn’t African American, nor do I say it because he’s biracial, I also say it because he’s expected to represent a class of people he has nothing in common with . Giving speeches that come from the perspective of someone who had grandparents that could afford to send him to good schools .
And the same can be said for Hollywood, there’s a call for representation on the big screen as well . But is it really a win ? Or is it just another shiny object that distracts ?