When did FAIR's editorial policy become to capitalize "Black" and "White"? Seems like leaning into the racial division that FAIR is meant to be opposing, and adopting a novel way of writing that wouldn't even be happening without the recent culture war.
It's not just you. As a graduate student in counseling many years ago, when I dared put forth the idea that we should see people as humans beyond external markers (race, sex, sexual orientation, e.g.) I was told that doing so made me a bigoted white man of privilege who "didn't understand" the injury I was causing by saying such things.
I never gave in because I knew then as I know now that people are deeper than their labels - any label - and that the vast overwhelming majority of humans prefer to be viewed as such; as having great potential.
Now, more than a decade and a half later, I'm learning I was right to have such a viewpoint because it begets hope for those who have self-labeled to the point that they're now limited in their own perceived capacity. Labels, by definition, are limiting. But humans can be many things and their possibilities are limitless. It's been quite wonderful to see my patients grow beyond what they previously thought possible.
Thank you for writing this, it's a breath of fresh air.
It's a shame the leftists have corrupted the anthropology field beyond all redemption. You are sorely in need of what the subject used to be able to teach you.
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What a great article! I feel as though we have gone backwards from where we were in the 90’s and completely agree that you are not defined by your skin color. You are a person who deserves respect from everyone - as we all are!
Yes, " a concept of humanity centered on simply seeing others as people. I learned to judge people by their actions and not their race, religion, or identity."
Also, identity is very broad, if one wants to go the other direction, as you did at the end of your great essay:
race, upbringing, family roles, religion, hobbies, profession, musical preferences, skills, languages spoken, places one has lived, physical abilities and/or challenges, nationality of oneself or earlier family members, other abilities/challenges, age, sex, sexual orientation....lots more beyond that. I know one author has described at least 30 of the many many components. All/any can be a key part of a person's sense of self. In my opinion, assuming that what you consider the main part of your identity is the main part of someone else's does not make sense. I am sure that some people's ethnicity is central to their feeling of themselves, but it isn't to a lot of others, and we should not all be forced or taught that it should be, whatever it is.
(Also, though, "Racism Fridays"??? This simply sounds wrong and exactly what should not be happening.)
I'm sorry but this is a truly irritating essay and I'm afraid I believe only a fraction of it. I'm tail end of the baby boom. No one ever ever ever said that "you can't be from more than one place." What the hell is she talking about? By my generation nearly everyone was a mix. I'm a mix. And I find it very hard to believe that she was "racially bullied." In the U.S.? WHERE? In the mostly white suburb of Chicago where I grew up, that was unheard of! It was White Guilt all the way! Our prom king and queen were black to show how not racist we were! And what is this 'see me as black and not human' shit? WHAT?????
HOWEVER, in recent years race has become an obsession in the worst possible way. My (white) friend, who also grew up in the 60s and 70s, now has young (mixed) kids who make fun of him for BEING WHITE.
He couldn't send them to the same schools he attended because the black kids were bullying his mixed kids for being "Chinese."
And to the quote below, someone saying "you're not really American" because she grew up in the Bahamas might have a different meaning that what she understands. (I am sorry but with friends like this woman, who needs enemies? She narcissistically listens for slights!) I'm not sure whether I would consider someone who grew up in the Bahamas "really American" because for all intents and purposes, she might seem more Bahamian.
First and foremost, for better or worse, kids tease other kids based on appearances. I was called a DOG. They made fun of my long legs. They insinuated that I was a lesbian. I didn't carry this into my adulthood as something to take seriously -- and tar an entire society with it. I'm sorry but the victim obsession here is truly pathetic.
"I can still recall attending my school’s “International Week.” It was a celebratory week aimed at honoring the range of identities at our school, and yet I was told “you can’t be from more than one place” when I chose to honor my Polish, American, and Bahamian identities. Later in life, I recall a student of mine saying “oh well you’re not really American then” when I told her I had grown up in the Bahamas—I am a US citizen."
I recall being bullied (for something other than being poor and a child of divorce in the '70s when neither were acceptable) twice: once for being white in a California school where whites were the minority; and in West Germany for being American in the 1980s. Neither scarred me for life, but it did make me very aware that sometimes the people who cry racism the loudest are the ones practicing it. I also had friends who were bullied in some areas because their parents were in the military. It happens...always has and probably always will since people have a need for "in" and "out" groups to help define themselves.
No kidding. You're also talking about Louisiana. So you're not breaking anything to me. Also, the black Greek organizations (many of which are not recognized by the campuses they're near or on) have often been bastions of abuse and racism. But they routinely hide behind their color.
Very good point, with which I heartily concur. We shouldn't be leading with, or defining, our race right up front, and woke progressivism is simply *mad* for defining us first and foremost by our ethnic recipe. (I'm a half-French, half-Western Euopean mutt, by the way. Thank you for asking. Okay, you didn't, but I'm being a smartass!) One thing I dislike - and I find this is an issue primiarly with Americans, not Canadians - is blacks defining whites by their colour when it's not important. "Some white woman cut me off in traffic!" (Okay, would it have been less irritating if she was black?) People are a lot racially mellower here in Toronto at least IME, but I really dislike the attitude many American blacks have against others.It's not okay. Black racism is real, and as the author points out, often offered to fellow black people.
Ma'am, I wonder: Have you ever experienced that concert reaction when you're in Canada (do you ever get up here?) I suspect most people wouldn't give you much shit. I dated a black guy for six months this year and no one ever gave us any crap.
I liked this essay, not because it describes "my life experience." (I dislike those slogan words) I applaud this essay since we are all individuals and have individual stories to tell. It is the authentic revelation I love. We need more essays grounded in intimate emotional truth when it comes to race and blackness. (I get to choose whether I capitalize "Black." Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't and that's just me) I hope you write more about the reality of human life in the future. https://twyman.substack.com/p/living-in-a-world-of-ghetto-life
When did FAIR's editorial policy become to capitalize "Black" and "White"? Seems like leaning into the racial division that FAIR is meant to be opposing, and adopting a novel way of writing that wouldn't even be happening without the recent culture war.
It's not just you. As a graduate student in counseling many years ago, when I dared put forth the idea that we should see people as humans beyond external markers (race, sex, sexual orientation, e.g.) I was told that doing so made me a bigoted white man of privilege who "didn't understand" the injury I was causing by saying such things.
I never gave in because I knew then as I know now that people are deeper than their labels - any label - and that the vast overwhelming majority of humans prefer to be viewed as such; as having great potential.
Now, more than a decade and a half later, I'm learning I was right to have such a viewpoint because it begets hope for those who have self-labeled to the point that they're now limited in their own perceived capacity. Labels, by definition, are limiting. But humans can be many things and their possibilities are limitless. It's been quite wonderful to see my patients grow beyond what they previously thought possible.
Thank you for writing this, it's a breath of fresh air.
Right. And if you were to ask to explain what injury you were causing, the answer would be something like "it's not my job to educate you"
This is why the entire critical theory movement is narcissistically abusive.
🎯
It's a shame the leftists have corrupted the anthropology field beyond all redemption. You are sorely in need of what the subject used to be able to teach you.
You are a rich blend of cultures which threatens the
That’s helpful. Thanks.
bullies, from other students to your manager, in their ignorance and low level consciousness.
Note: you can click the ellipsis (...) at the far right of the commenter's name/time-posted line, select "Edit" and correct your previously posted comment.
What a great article! I feel as though we have gone backwards from where we were in the 90’s and completely agree that you are not defined by your skin color. You are a person who deserves respect from everyone - as we all are!
Thank you!!
Yes, " a concept of humanity centered on simply seeing others as people. I learned to judge people by their actions and not their race, religion, or identity."
Also, identity is very broad, if one wants to go the other direction, as you did at the end of your great essay:
race, upbringing, family roles, religion, hobbies, profession, musical preferences, skills, languages spoken, places one has lived, physical abilities and/or challenges, nationality of oneself or earlier family members, other abilities/challenges, age, sex, sexual orientation....lots more beyond that. I know one author has described at least 30 of the many many components. All/any can be a key part of a person's sense of self. In my opinion, assuming that what you consider the main part of your identity is the main part of someone else's does not make sense. I am sure that some people's ethnicity is central to their feeling of themselves, but it isn't to a lot of others, and we should not all be forced or taught that it should be, whatever it is.
(Also, though, "Racism Fridays"??? This simply sounds wrong and exactly what should not be happening.)
I'm sorry but this is a truly irritating essay and I'm afraid I believe only a fraction of it. I'm tail end of the baby boom. No one ever ever ever said that "you can't be from more than one place." What the hell is she talking about? By my generation nearly everyone was a mix. I'm a mix. And I find it very hard to believe that she was "racially bullied." In the U.S.? WHERE? In the mostly white suburb of Chicago where I grew up, that was unheard of! It was White Guilt all the way! Our prom king and queen were black to show how not racist we were! And what is this 'see me as black and not human' shit? WHAT?????
HOWEVER, in recent years race has become an obsession in the worst possible way. My (white) friend, who also grew up in the 60s and 70s, now has young (mixed) kids who make fun of him for BEING WHITE.
He couldn't send them to the same schools he attended because the black kids were bullying his mixed kids for being "Chinese."
And to the quote below, someone saying "you're not really American" because she grew up in the Bahamas might have a different meaning that what she understands. (I am sorry but with friends like this woman, who needs enemies? She narcissistically listens for slights!) I'm not sure whether I would consider someone who grew up in the Bahamas "really American" because for all intents and purposes, she might seem more Bahamian.
First and foremost, for better or worse, kids tease other kids based on appearances. I was called a DOG. They made fun of my long legs. They insinuated that I was a lesbian. I didn't carry this into my adulthood as something to take seriously -- and tar an entire society with it. I'm sorry but the victim obsession here is truly pathetic.
"I can still recall attending my school’s “International Week.” It was a celebratory week aimed at honoring the range of identities at our school, and yet I was told “you can’t be from more than one place” when I chose to honor my Polish, American, and Bahamian identities. Later in life, I recall a student of mine saying “oh well you’re not really American then” when I told her I had grown up in the Bahamas—I am a US citizen."
I recall being bullied (for something other than being poor and a child of divorce in the '70s when neither were acceptable) twice: once for being white in a California school where whites were the minority; and in West Germany for being American in the 1980s. Neither scarred me for life, but it did make me very aware that sometimes the people who cry racism the loudest are the ones practicing it. I also had friends who were bullied in some areas because their parents were in the military. It happens...always has and probably always will since people have a need for "in" and "out" groups to help define themselves.
All I can say is welcome to the world brought to us by the early 2000s. Back in the bad 'ol '80s things were a bit different in many ways.
No kidding. You're also talking about Louisiana. So you're not breaking anything to me. Also, the black Greek organizations (many of which are not recognized by the campuses they're near or on) have often been bastions of abuse and racism. But they routinely hide behind their color.
Very good point, with which I heartily concur. We shouldn't be leading with, or defining, our race right up front, and woke progressivism is simply *mad* for defining us first and foremost by our ethnic recipe. (I'm a half-French, half-Western Euopean mutt, by the way. Thank you for asking. Okay, you didn't, but I'm being a smartass!) One thing I dislike - and I find this is an issue primiarly with Americans, not Canadians - is blacks defining whites by their colour when it's not important. "Some white woman cut me off in traffic!" (Okay, would it have been less irritating if she was black?) People are a lot racially mellower here in Toronto at least IME, but I really dislike the attitude many American blacks have against others.It's not okay. Black racism is real, and as the author points out, often offered to fellow black people.
Ma'am, I wonder: Have you ever experienced that concert reaction when you're in Canada (do you ever get up here?) I suspect most people wouldn't give you much shit. I dated a black guy for six months this year and no one ever gave us any crap.
It also depends on where you are in the US. And we all know blacks can't be racist...(sarcasm/irony for those who might be slow on the uptake).
You're in over your head and sinking fast, in Canada as everywhere else in the West.
Donald? Is that you?
If 'twere, your Canadian bits would never have made it to an American website. I'm almost ('nearly' in Canadian) a free-love hippie in comparison...
I liked this essay, not because it describes "my life experience." (I dislike those slogan words) I applaud this essay since we are all individuals and have individual stories to tell. It is the authentic revelation I love. We need more essays grounded in intimate emotional truth when it comes to race and blackness. (I get to choose whether I capitalize "Black." Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't and that's just me) I hope you write more about the reality of human life in the future. https://twyman.substack.com/p/living-in-a-world-of-ghetto-life
Best,
Thank you.
Thank God for people like you, Anisa. You're a lovely beacon shining in a dark night to give others hope.
You need a new editor.