R.A.C.E.

Race. When you hear the word, you automatically begin to choose your words more wisely. A hostile, or sticky persona pervades the conversation as soon as ‘race’ is introduced. Trying to balance your opinion, defend your race and stay politically correct is difficult. Is this why we have seen minimal progress in how we have talk about race? Is this why people rather subject themselves and others to a “strained silence… where any discussion of racial matters is—at best—strained, contested, and regularly ugly” (Walton)? Anthony Walton breaches this topic in article titled

“Let's face it: We need a new way to talk about race”.

The Race Card Project presents an alternate outlet for people to publicly unleash their racial feelings or tensions. This is a new way of talking about race. However, this takes away from the personal, face to face aspect of talking about race. And that is arguably the biggest place where we need to change our ways. The website fosters new thought and allows people to easily talk about race. But there are limitations to the site; is 6 words enough to capture a given experience? Is this form of expression too limited due to the fact that most of the entire are too short? Or why is there no discussion under most of the post with comments, in which people go back and forth using ethical rhetoric? Yes, the idea of race and the expression behind it is brought up. But does this project help us talk about race differently, as Anthony Walton proposes. This is still in question.

See more from source used at: http://www.uscatholic.org/articles/201306/lets-face-it-we-need-new-way-talk-about-race-27409#sthash.5CB5M6IH.dpuf

Black and White: More Color Than You Think

I am white in certain places, but I am black in others. How can that be? I am a young bi-racial man; both white and black. The race card “Biracial anxiety; black/white; both/neither?” presents a scenario where two biracial girls of the same upbringing go separate ways (Frierson 1). The author identifies each of the girl’s perspectives and how they each felt on the topic of race. Immediately we get the sense that they are forced or compelled to choose a side. Frierson explains that one of girls had difficulty with her racial background, while the other didn’t. How they came to such conclusions, I still don’t understand. Was it how they interacted with one of the races? Though I am and always have been compelled to be both white and black, assuming I could benefit from the perks of both, most kids like me feel compelled to choose a side. It must be the subconscious forcing that individual to deem them selves a distinct race, particularly the one they are surrounded by in that exact moment. Guilty. I am guilty of this. But why, I feel comfortable with my racial background?

This six-word card, of The Race Card Project, was most intriguing because it hits home with regards to the fact that many young multiracial adults are trying to find themselves amongst the stereotypes of each race and a society that wants you to only be one. I don’t think I’ve been bogged down by this circumstance, but I have though about it on occasion. And I would argue that that notion in itself is unfortunate. We can just be ourselves; well we can but we must check first.

A Scene All Too Familiar

I plan on using NWA's "Fuxk Tha Police"for this assignment. I choose this song because the movement associated with it is somewhat personal and one I feel extremely passionate about. I plan on analyzing police oppression against young African Americans in the South Central communities of Los Angeles. I grew up and still live in South Central LA, so I understand firsthand the brutality and oppression young African Americans face(d) at the hands of the police force. I understand that the police force has no basis for their targeting of young African Americans, but my paper will not focus on that. I believe most people would agree on that notion. I plan to identify and analyze a more controversial issue that deals with this movement. What can we as the oppressed do to better our reputation and lift the stereotypes that bring us down, and ultimately cause the targeting of young black kids? Let me also give futher clarity. This argument by no means attempts to blame young African Americans for the undue oppression we face, but it gives realistic direction and knowledge of what action needs to be taken to fight a past plagued with oppression.

NWA’s song directly attacks the police, and rightfully so, but fails to think of what our role is as young African Americans for the progression of this movement. And in part because of this, they unknowingly produce and release a song in “Fuxk Tha Police” that further degrades the race and reaffirms stereotypes that slow the progress of this social movement. My intention to speak on such matters does not mean I completely dislike NWA or their popular music. It simply means for the purposes of this movement, this song has had the opposite effect many great songs have had on similar movements historically. Songs such as “Strange Fruit” or “We Shall Overcome” give light to why this movement is taking place, but also gives positive direction.

Strange Fruit: Spread The Chilling Truth Through Song

Many understood the chilling truth about the brutality and oppression African Americans faced in the 1930s, especially when they heard the song "Strange Fruit" performed by Billie Holiday. The lyrics in harmony with Billie Holliday's passion and twist put the listener at the sight of a lynching. This song makes the act of lynching personal. We feel the pain of lynching, and furthermore the oppression African Americans faced during slavery and post slavery years when we here this song. "Strange Fruit" forces the listener to question their role in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1930s. This song has so much staying power because it is informative and real, but also because it is a call of action. It is a cry for help by all minorities who were affected by lynching. “Strange Fruit” has so much staying power that still today, in 2013, we see powerful young artist like India Arie and Kanye West covering this song on their album. This song was that much more powerful at its release because it came at a time where the culture did not generally accept such music or language; at a time where media of lynching or slavery were put on the back burner to be left alone. Abel Meeropol hit the nation head on with the writing of this song and Billie’s courage to sing the song so perfectly for the people led the anti-lynching movement. The gripping lyrics make you shiver in pain and fear when you hear it. It made people understand that lynching was wrong at time where many people taught it to be right.