Here I go again, talking about race but somebody has to. The first Red Table Talk I want to break down is one about the racial divide between women of color and white women. This particular video caught my attention because it hits on many different things. One of the biggest things that stuck out to me was that Adrienne’s recognition of her needing to examine her own way of thinking when it comes to race and her feelings about it. It takes a lot for an individual to realize the things that they need to work on because many are naive and in denial about their flaws.
Jada mentioned a quote by Nathan Rutstein, “prejudice is the emotional commitment to ignorance.” One of the realest quotes I’ve ever heard. Later on in the video, the leading women bring out a producer of the show, Anne and mentions that ignorance is a choice. I agree completely. What’s said in the schools, society, your family, etc isn’t always accurate. You have to take initiative and educate yourself in order to remove that ignorance. Another thing that Anne points out about herself is that she doesn’t realize when she’s being rewarded within the white privilege society. Is her not realizing that ignorance? It’s not, it goes to show that not only do we need to educate ourselves but also each other. Especially to the ones that are wanting to learn.
Jane Elliot who is an internationally known teacher, lecturer, and diversity trainer on racism was brought out. She’s been opening eyes since the 1960’s with her “Blue eyes-brown eyes” exercise. She came out and broke it all down. She advised us to stop believing the myths that schools teach black history as if it started with slavery. She stresses that there is only one race. The human race. We have to educate ourselves.
Speaking from a young adult’s perspective, my generation has a lot to do. We are in the position to change how racism is viewed. We have the opportunity to teach our kids the right way and how to embrace everyone of all diversities. One of our biggest problems is when it comes to relationships, we hate to see our black men with white women. The biggest issue that I think stands out when it comes to black men dating white women is when they downplay and disrespect black women in the process. That’s when it’s taken too far.
As Adrienne pointed out herself, it took her awhile to welcome her nephew’s white wife into the family, whereas she welcomed Jada’s cousin’s husband with open arms. The reason for that was he acted more black and had a little more swag to him. Is that how we often look at our white counterparts when they’re wanting to fit in with us?
Jada stated that, “the world needs to be more compassionate of black women.” I couldn’t agree more. As women in general, we’re singled out and often not given enough credit where it’s due, but as black women, we have a separate story that needs to be told, recognized, learned, and embraced. It’s the female dynamic, she mentioned. There are only three ways to change things. To be open minded, educate and listen. We start doing those three and remember that Jane said there’s only one race, the human race. We may just see change after all.
#stillRising
#stillRising 