The Amazing Race (The Decathlon Also Known As Being Black in America) (Part 1)

"Racism is taught in our society, it is not automatic. It is learned behavior toward persons with dissimilar physical characteristics."

-Alex Haley

"It's hard out here for a pimp."

Stories like Fruitvale Station (starring Michael B.
Jordan, above) offer chilling descriptions of
some of the elements Black still face today.

While there are more sophisticated ways to describe the daily challenges of life in America as an African-American in 2013, the phrase synonymous with the critically acclaimed film Hustle & Flow sums up Black life in a honest and relatable manner. In fairness to our predecessors, society has made great strides in civil rights and the financial and career ceilings for Blacks are considerably higher than in previous eras. Despite this, the quandary of creating and maintaining a high quality of living looms large for Blacks individually and collectively. Social issues wage war on the African American family; the Black unemployment rate stands at 12.6% and murder rates against Black youth in cities such as Chicago and Philadelphia continue to rise. Worst of all, prejudice and stereotypes still cripple the dreams and goals of the race. As an African-American our daily walk remains unique due to its battle against negative perceptions, working for change in the viewpoint of White America while seeking validation from our fellow Black peers.

Race relations in America remain one of the most taboo subjects in history. Last week, we witnessed an unfortunate example of this when Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper was caught on film hurling a racial epithet following an incident at a Kenny Chesney concert. Though his words were at the minimum stupid (and at the max highly offensive and demeaning), one must dive deeper in this situation to truly identify with the struggle for respect and equality that African-Americans experience. Cooper offered an example of how many outside races view Blacks with celebrity/fame versus the average Black person. Cooper plays in a league that is nearly 70% Black, and prior to that played at the University of Florida; by no means is he foreign to being in an environment of Black males. However in this particular ordeal with a Black man not known for catching footballs and not on television weekly, he felt comfortable using "nigger"; more importantly it was used in a tone of hatred. This concept of infusing classism with racism has now expanded. It now extends to people sparing certain individuals of their feelings towards of an entire race because they have a certain talent or are extremely wealthy, as if this purges the individual of their ethnic background. A white teen can claim to love Beyonce, but be repulsed at the thought of an a young Black woman simply because she is not a celebrity. In 1989, director Spike Lee challenged this idea in the classic Do The Right Thing:

As a result of such, many African Americans transform themselves on a routine basis; every day they are forced to change, alter, "fix" themselves to conform and be accepted in a society that really, to this point, has refused to appreciate them and their overabundance of contributions to past and present generations. Code-switching is no longer sufficient; the new method is visual reformation and at times, it can cause hypocrisy and paranoia. Many take such small things as sports stars adding non-prescription glasses and wearing suits and nerdy clothes as trendy. This is true in certain regards, but one must question whether the true beginnings of the fad stem from glasses offering these huge intimidating stars a less intimidating look. Crazy? Possibly, but this is America, the land of assumptions and stereotypes. There is a great chance of a person of outside race seeing a Black man in two separate outfits and experiencing two distinctly different emotions. Seeing a Black gentleman on a Thursday afternoon in a suit and glasses, he may carelessly walking past him. Alternatively, bumping into the same man two days later, perhaps coming back from a jog in a hoody and sweats, the man of other race may feel threatened. He may run, or if he's from Florida, he may just shoot him. 

Unfortunately, all blacks can't be Jay-Z, Oprah, LeBron James, or Alicia Keys, people who have frequent opportunities to allow White America to become comfortable with them. In some instances I inspire to equal or exceed their success, but I also empathize with their burden of being the flag bearers of the Black race. Watching or listening to Black personalities are often the only "interactions" other races have with Black people; consequently, their behaviors are widely regarded as the standard for an entire race.This serves well when the reflection is say, Barack Obama, but imagine the "excitement" of a Black female when her contemporaries take to the song/video of a rapper to brief themselves on how African American women are perceived. Too often, the latter of these examples is considered the voice of Black America. As it reads, sounds, and looks to the untrained eye, "they" speak for "us". The ignorance that spews from SOME of the Black personalities contradicts the values and morals that many African Americans share and it causes confusion. So when we decide to stick up for our rights, it comes off as hypocrisy; we shoot our own but ask for protection from prejudice; dress disrespectfully but want to be judged on character; and use the word 'nigger' as much we use prepositions, yet find fault in other races wanting to join the "party". 

Unfortunately, this is a narrow minded and one sided viewpoint, not to mention foolish. The majority of evidence for this argument stems from a small percentage of Black people fortunate enough to have an audience on television and internet. They are PAID to speak their mind, often without thought, consideration, or consequence. "Anti-racists" often pose the question, "Why do Black people get upset when white people say 'nigger' when Black people say it all the time?

Here's an answer: All Black people are not comfortable with the word 'nigger'.

Black people that ARE comfortable just seem to always have the microphone, so to speak. This small group of individuals (no matter how large their following) do not represent an entire race, just as a few racist whites do not represent the thoughts and views of all white people. Despite that logical comparison, we as African Americans commonly find ourselves trying to (over) compensate for the negative words and actions of a select few, words and actions that are highlighted and broadcast for so many to see. We are always in a fight to dispel the image that just refuses to leave the spotlight. This is the race placed in front of Blacks to run, or more specifically the first leg; if able to navigate through the stereotypes of their white counterparts, the ultimate challenge of maintaining the high opinion of their African American peers still remain.

Be sure to read part 2 of "The Amazing Race" later this week, highlighting the challenge of the African American finds in gaining approval and validation from members of his own race.