Strange Rooting for the Other Races: Post-Racial Musings

First off, there shouldn't be any mistaken about the fact that minorities in America are still getting the short-end of the stick. The increase of the Black underclass has been increasing since 1980, falling behind in social movement an economic areas. Even though this has been a historical since Blacks set foot in America bound in chains, modern era statistics shows that the pervasive systemic reality is ever so prevalent.

In research administered and publicized by Frontline "The Two Nations of Black America" Report, statistics don't lie and they are significantly disproportionate in a nation where only 13% of the population is Black. Take this comparative statistical sampling:

-The number of black men incarcerated in federal or state prison or local jails in 1995 : 711,600

-The number of black women enrolled in higher education in 1995: 918,000

-The number of black women incarcerated in federal or state prison or local jails in 1995: 55,300 (U.S. Dept. of Justice and U.S. Dept of Education)

-The chance that a black man in the U.S. will spend some time in a state or federal prison during his lifetime: 28.5%

-The chance that a white man in the U.S. will spend some time in a state or federal prison during his lifetime: 2.5%

-The chance a black women in the U.S. will spend some time in a state or federal prison during her lifetime 3.6%

-The chance that a white woman in the U.S. will spend some time in a state of federal prison during her lifetime: 0.5% (Bureau of Justice Statistics)

It's no wonder that there's a strong argument that suggest that Blacks should be preoccupied with trying to save themselves from annihilation. It also gives ammunition to the argument while Blacks have reason to to angry in these unjust predicaments. But is culturally and community oriented celebrations like Kwanzaa that give Blacks a foundation that reinforces their need to thrive on things like self-love, collectivity and community pride.

But, while statistics are being relayed that depicts the challenging conditions of a people the paradox in that view is amazing. It appears that Blacks have a insatiable capacity to love and accept others who may not be like them, and, even chooses that same over their endemic orientation.

For instance, where whites have a history of struggling issues that would make others their equal, generally speaking, Blacks do not have that yoke. Maybe it is because they involuntarily was incorporated into White culture since their arrival. Every thing that visualized the essence of European was force-fed to Blacks, from hair style, to skin color. For years Blacks have been indoctrinated with the white way.

The Black liberation movements of the 60s and 70s sought to help Blacks to shift from that paradigm. But, it appears that the real shift has not been a return to a culture that is more representative of the motherland, but rather, one that has assimilated into one that reflects a new breed that seems to be somewhat powerless in making a complete overhaul of what has been placed on them by white supremacy.

So, if there is such a thing as post-racial, it is mostly be found without rather than within--meaning that Blacks don't really want to return to Africa, but they want to be able to beat the white man at his own game and be recognized for that achievement in the white man's world. The white man's game is vicariously played out in most of everything done by Blacks saving a few token symbols from the motherland.

Which brings us to the main point to this article. Blacks are learning to root for white people and other cultures. This may be antithetical to Black survival, but it is certainly not an anomaly.

"Blacks don't really want to return to Africa,
but they want to be able to beat the white man at his own game"

Maybe it is what Dr.King was talking about in his book (Collection of Sermons) entitled Strength to Love as he alluded to unconditional love. Yet, this also becomes problematic as it is arguable whether Blacks have ever learned to love themselves, completely.

But as Venus Williams was playing against a Chinese by the name of Na Yi, who happened to be the underdog, I must admit that I was pulling for the underdog. But, once again, as I've mentioned above, Blacks have always had an eternal propensity to support others who are not like them unconditionally. In the quest to realize the actualization of blackness in a white man's word, love becomes a paradox by being a strength at the same time being a great challenge.

Now, let's beat Victoria Azarenka! Go Serena Williams!