Ignorance is encountered in many forms from inside and outside of black race. I've found that the best way to overcome it is not with indignant outrage, but with careful and sincere redirection. On a basic human level, nobody wants to be told that they are wrong; however, if you are skilled at addressing the thought, rather than the person, you are capable of creating a lasting impression and teaching moment that will last generations. One of my best friends is white (cliché of the decade) and we have a plethora of conversations on race relations. Now, I've found that he's much more sensitive to bouts of racial insensitivity than I am, and he's ALOT more inclined to confront people about it! However, I have reminded him of the grace and patience that I extended toward him, so he can extend the same patience to others who may mean well, but are truly ignorant of their transgressions.
When I think of what being Black in America means to me, it's a lot like being Superman. He loves and embodies the spirit of the best ideals of his country, but he cannot interact within the social boundaries of that society without conforming to it and assimilating into their lifestyle in order to be accepted. While it’s hardly arguable the effect that my African ancestors played in the formation of the country, I still have to walk into the outside
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For me there is only one black culture and it is highbrow, Im not talking about Jay Z, I'm talking about Ella Fitzgerald. However on any day what happens to 22 year olds in any impoverished dangerous ghetto small town in America can be called 'black' and its participants made exemplars of 'black culture'. And on any other day some rich or famous black individual will tell you a sad tale about being disrespected by a police officer or flight attendant and that will become a signpost about racism in America. I say all of that is crap. Once a nigga always a