Five Signs Your White Ignorance Is Showing

Does this title offend you? If it does this may be the perfect read for you! I hate to break it to some white people out here but sometimes you say and do things that make minorities (especially black people) feel “hella” uncomfortable. Very often you’ll welcome yourself into black spaces that may or may not be open to the public. Sometimes you are offended when a person of color opposes the evidential cruelty done to them by some of your race, and whether you know the information to be true or not you will deny it because you insist that racism is a figment of our imagination. You’ll tell us that slavery was thousands of years ago and that we should forget about it, yet in the same breath defend the Confederacy and the destruction of its statues.

This is for the white people who just don’t get it. The ones who don’t understand that people of color are just that – colorful people. People with diverse backgrounds and experiences that range from knowing every verse to “Back That A** Up” to being the leading group in entrepreneurship and education (*coughs* Black women). So when the moment comes when you are about to do something to emulate black culture, read this because your white ignorance just might be showing.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

1. You’re Not Really as Open About Race as You THINK You Are

This. This section is a must-read. For all the white people who think they understand racism, systematic racism, micro-aggression and other facets of racial oppression, think again. If you STILL combat the purpose of the Black Lives Matter movement, believe the majority of Black men are in jail because of crimes they committed, or say Trump isn’t a racist, your white ignorance is showing. How many times do people have to tell you that black-on-black crime is only a thing simply because of who you geographically live by. You can’t compare police brutality to the actions of regular citizens when only one of them is paid to serve and protect. Furthermore, yes, white males are the leading group for domestic terrorism in the United States of America. These are facts proven in studies done by American scientists of all hues. Just because the news is in favor of your people, doesn’t make these statistics untrue. If you’re only offended when the scrutiny is on your race you might not be as open as you think. Create conversations not controversy, and when you do, stick with facts and leave feelings out. Sometimes you just have to take an “L.”

2. You’re Trying Too Hard to “Relate”

Yes, this is a thing. You don’t have to TRY to relate to me, just relate to me. People are people. You don’t need to tell me you voted for Obama, you know who Martin Lawrence is or that you’ve read “The Color Purple” and seen the movie. You’re assuming those are my interests based on my race and what you think you know about my culture. In reality, I might be unaware or uninterested in all of those things (I’m not). Just don’t play yourself.

3. You Say and Do Inappropriate Things

Asking “Can I touch your hair,” “How do you get your hair like that,” or telling a black person they are “impressive” for having a normal intellectual conversation is offensive and a huge sign that your white ignorance is peaking. We are not science experiments nor an encyclopedia for black culture. How much of a privilege it must be to have your “culture” be so mainstream that other cultures come off as mysterious to you. As a black woman I’ve never asked to touch any of my non-black friend’s hair. The bodies of black people have been objectified by white people for hundreds of years and it continues to this day. Seems far fetched? Well, think about why you’re curious in the first place. It’s probably due to the fact that there’s a shortage of images that look like me in mainstream media. Why? Because people who look like you favor and cater to a certain demographic. It’s that simple.

4. The N-Word

I really shouldn’t have to make a section for this, but here we go. It’s not okay for you to say it. I don’t care who raised you, who told you it was okay, what song you heard it in, who you have kids by or where you grew up. Don’t use it. The word is not for you, it’s for us, and ONLY us. Emphasis on ONLY. That goes for all non-Black people. The word was created as a tool to oppress BLACK people, and if black people want to give the term a new meaning and use it within the culture that’s okay. Telling us we shouldn’t do something that only affects our people is you imposing your privilege. To be blunt, that word has nothing to do with white people other than it’s negative history – so leave it alone. It’s simply not your business. As for non-black people who use it, you just look like you’re “trying” to be cool. The first thing I hear when an Asian or Latino person justifies their usage of the n-word is “my homies use it” or “I’m a minority too.” Yes, you are a minority but we are two minorities with two very different experiences. The n-word doesn’t hold the same weight for you. The n-word as you know it is only “cool slang.” It doesn’t ever and will never mean “nigger” for you. Think about it, if the tables were turned would you let black people use your race’s slur with you? Also, always be aware that again not every black person feels the same way or even uses the word. Be cognizant that all minorities have a history as well, but listening and empathizing with one another is key to alleviating the problem.

5. Talking About Other Minorities Behind Their Back

This happens so often. Stop criticizing other cultures and races with us in your presence. I’m not going to chime in with an interesting story because I don’t have one. Unlike some white people, most black people know what it feels like to be the butt of a cultural joke and I refuse to do that to other oppressed groups.

This blog isn’t a blog to tear down white people. If you think so, then you’ve probably missed the point again. This post is to educate. Sometimes truth hurts, but the truth can be refreshing. Unfortunately, a lot of issues in the world are race-related and they need to be discussed reasonably and with compassion. As I said before, it’s time to create conversation, be honest and move on to find positive results that influence the world.