Being content with moving in black-only spaces does not make me a racist. In fact, since I spend a lot of my time focusing on the struggles of the collective African diaspora. Who has time to worry about other folks’ problems? Yes, I feel completely comfortable saying that you need to take care of your own shit. Black people have heard that for centuries even when the root of our biggest issues is the direct result of other people (insert European and Arab colonialism). Folks seem to have a bigger problem with indifference rather than being a racist. I know that you may need a minute to let that marinate. People lack honesty. In 2015- being politically correct takes precedence over being truthful and that’s foolish. It’s a shitty thing to hear someone say, “I or black people matter more than you to me”. I get it. However- es mi verdad. Others say it all the time and they are unapologetic about it.
Lately, it seems that black voices can’t be indifferent without being deemed racists. We can’t just take care of our own. We have to help the collective heal, survive, eat , learn or whatever the agenda of the day is and IF the others get around to us, we might be heard. That’s not going to work for me.
The Jewish Holocaust took place in Germany. Six million Jews died at the hands of Nazi Germans and Adolf Hitler. There are many monuments and observances in the United States and throughout the world. Jews commemorate this event annually and with much reverence. Everyone can agree that it was a tragic event in history. Some may argue that it is one of the most devastating atrocities of our time. It is an important part of their history. Did you know that during the Holocaust and prior- the Germans had Africans in concentration camps as well? Black Germans died in gas chambers right along with Jews. Have you ever seen black faces in Jewish memorials of the Holocaust. I haven’t. In fact, WE don’t even ask why we aren’t represented. Why is that? We know that it happened but Jewish people don’t speak about it. AT ALL. Should I assume that they are racist? I assume that they don’t care because it has nothing to do with them. I understand. I’m ok with that. I don’t expect other people to care about my history and they should be just as cool with me not caring about theirs.
Of course, there are many examples of other races being indifferent to the plight of black people and nobody calls that racist.
Former President Bill Clinton backed military support to Bosnia when the Serbs killed 250,000 Bosnians during the genocide that took place from 1993-2000. Genocide was defined and the legal term along with a course of action was adopted by the United Nations in 1948. At the same time this incident happened, the Rwandan “Genocide” between the Tutsis and Hutus took place. Clinton, purposely, failed to call the assassination of almost one million black Africans a genocide as it would have forced the United Nations and various countries including the United States to take military action against the perpetrators of this massacre. It took only three months for the death toll to hit 800,000 men, women and children. THREE MONTHS. Clinton didn’t give a damn about black people but he, quickly, protected his European counterparts. His lack of action was racist and devastating but it isn’t surprising. I’ve also never heard Bosnians talk about the more than triple number of deaths that occurred in Rwanda during that time. Rwandan lives were swept away in a corner while American hearts poured out for poor Bosnians.
I will be the first to say that I am perfectly happy being around my own folks. There is this underlying agenda for everyone to be comfortable in black spaces. Why? Our thoughts, actions and words are policed because it is expected that we be inclusive when we have never been included. We have to “fall in line” or “get with the program.”
Even when we have created our own spaces, racist whites launched terrorists attacks against us. Virtually wiping out entire towns by killing the black populations. Forgive me for wanting to maintain a sacred space for myself and other diasporans. It is a reasonable request when others are concerned with their own. I’m not a racist. History dictates my mistrust of your intentions so I choose not deal to with you. Spare me the colorblind bullshit. I love black people. They are the air that I breathe and understand that I will fight for all of us.
We don’t need you to include our narratives but just remember to be correct when telling yours.