People need to be aware of privilege. Anyone can identify themselves however they chose, but if you are a #celebrity people care more about you, your feelings, your identity than the average person. Celebrities like #RavenSymoné have a great deal of power and thus have a lot more responsibility. To be able to choose your identity and be recognized as such is a privilege. Some people can identify themselves as not black, not african-american, and no one cares... the cop sees the dark skin, makes their assumptions about identity and shoots you in the head. Maybe they will ask questions later like, why were you wearing a hood, reaching in your pocket, talking back, breathing, walking, sitting, but you are dead and the case is closed before ever being opened. There is a serious threat to darker skin people anywhere in the world, the #Black experience exists #AntiBlackness exists. Black is a collective identity, just as male, or female, or white is. How many trans people are killed just because they dont pass as male or female? How many queer people get harassed because they dont pass as straight. How many immigrants get deported because they dont pass as American? Identify yourself however you choose, but if you are a celebrity, even a celebrity with dark skin, you are at a lower risk of being shot in the head by a cop. Your skin color, attire, and socio economic status dictate the way you move in the wold, and its all based on others collective perceptions of culture. No label fits me, not Black, not African, not American, not woman, not man, not straight, not gay, not even queer or any other word, but for most people that is too hard to understand...my history, my culture, was erased and it is up to me to make it. It is hard enough for people to use the words I give them to try and understand my identity. But these words exist and are recognized by the context of this world, this society, and this culture I am a part of so I choose to represent Black culture, and the Black experience that is so oppressed in the world today, to try to empower this word, Black, even though it may not quite fit, and change the mindset and perception. In the end, words and labels do not really matter, it is how you lead your life that does! #Ferguson #MikeBrown #EmettTill #RenishaMcBride #TrayvonMartin #BlackPanthers #Blackpower #Love #Live #Free
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 23:03:55 +0000
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