by Lauren Feldman.
Just two weeks ago, my friend (who attends another school in a very liberal community) informed me of a Jena 6 support rally at her school. (For those of you who aren't familiar with the Jena 6, they are a group of black students who were arrested and charged with attempted murder when they beat a white student. However, the white student they beat was involved in an extremely racist act: the hanging of nooses in a clear imitation of lynching. The white students were only given short suspensions for their "prank", and after much controversy, the charges against the Jena 6 were dropped to second-degree battery and conspiracy; however, many rallies, petitions, etc. still persist in support of the Jena 6.) The vast majority of the school – which includes many white students – voiced their disgust at the unfair treatment of the Jena 6, and many even wore black shirts in support of them. Along with many other volunteers, the Black Panthers paid an unexpected visit to speak at the rally. However, quite to the surprise of most students there, the Black Panthers were quite racist themselves. They mainly spoke about white supremacy, and seemed more concerned with uniting to bash all white people than they were to abolish racism. One white student was even asked to get out of a picture the Black Panthers were taking. Needless to say, many students there were very offended by what was said.
One member of the Black Panthers, McQueen Sheena, was asked what she felt about the many white supporters at the rally. In response, she reportedly said, "I see white supremacy as one. I don't separate from one person to another. They come together to cause injustice against us so we also should come together to defend our community."
The ridiculous hypocrisy of that statement actually depresses me. While the Black Panthers (and many others who share the same mentality) may sincerely believe they are combating racism, they are actually perpetuating it. They are grouping all members of a certain race together in some effort to end racial superiority, but what they fail to notice is that they are committing the same act of racism that they are so opposed to. Fighting fire with fire does not serve a purpose; combating racial supremacy with racial supremacy is ineffective. More prejudice and discrimination will not help end the prejudice and discrimination that was already there to begin with. Racism seems to be a vicious cycle, fueled by ignorance, brainwashing, fear, hatred, and - apparently - overcompensation. And I am very disappointed to find that it is still so rampant in society today.
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8 comments:
Wow I'm soooo glad that you regurgitated a widely accepted viewpoint regarding the Black Panthers! I think it's also really cool that you are disappointed that racism still exists today, I think you're really brave to say that! Congrats on your originality, you deserve to be the winner of a cash prize, and maybe even get on KTLA! teeheeteehee
So the spectrum of our society comes full circle, what a surprise! After more than 200 years of opression, and feeling stigmatized by the white majority, you should expect nothing less than a few outspoken, radical individuals like the Black Panthers. If skinheads can exist, then why shouldn't black panthers, we all have freedom of expression and speech no matter what "race" we are, or how extreme or militant our beliefs are. If you don't like the Black Panthers, then don't associate with them, but there's no need to criticize their idealogies just because it doesn't fit into your sheltered Santa Monica perspective.
anon...
I don't want to speak for laura, but I agree with her when she says what they say is wrong. I don't associate with them, but I sure have the right to criticize their ideologies as they are a racist group which only serves to make our country worse. Skinheads, black panthers, anybody that spouts racism is wrong...that doesn't fit it any responsible person's perspective.
It's not just a sheltered Santa Monica perspective that thinks that the fundamental issue with racism is to polarize various "Races" and create unneeded tension.
The existence of skinheads and their ridiculous ideologies doesn't justify or make reverse racism any more acceptable.
To add, the quote doesn't actually disparage the white race. Sheena merely voiced a dissaproval and hatred of White Supremacists. A fear and distrust of those who would unite to cause harm to another race is not racism, its just common sense.
Actually, Sheena wasn't referring to white supremacists only. She was referring to all white people; she doesn't separate one from the other, and is convinced they ALL have the white supremacist mentality. She replied with that quote when asked what she thought of the white SUPPORTERS at the rally. While some may argue that she is justified in that opinion, what with all the horrendous things whites have done to blacks in the past, she is still only perpetuating the mentality that racism originates from. And, of course, asking a white student to get out of a picture simply because the student is white is going way too far, not to mention racist and offensive...
i stand corrected. I still think you're wrong though.
go lauren you rock!
We'll see about that
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