S#!+hole Countries
Mental Health Public Service Announcement: I would like to make some comments in regards to Trump’s “shithole” references. This is going to be lengthy and is going to go deeper than the actual references. These are my opinions and my perspectives and it is ok for anyone to disagree. Whether you agree or not, I appreciate those who choose to read to the end.
1. Race is a social construct with no scientific basis. The amount of melanin in one’s skin does not have any correlation to one’s status (inferior versus superior; rich versus poor; “smart” versus “dumb”; violent/aggressive versus passive/assertive/passionate; irresponsible versus responsible; hypersexual versus loving/docile; the list goes on and on…). Thus, to coin the term racist is based off of a social construct, which comes with issues itself.
2. To argue whether Trump is racIST or not is futile. What Trump has proven to be is a narcissIST, a con artIST, and an opportunIST. Trying to get him or his supporters to think or act otherwise is futile as well. Energy should be focused on those that are open minded and willing to work towards change and improving our relationships.
3. What is supposed to make America great is it’s diversity and freedom. The majority race migrated here. Thus, they are immigrants. This country was built due to the labor of slaves and indentured servants. There are many who have come to this country (whether it was “legally” or “illegally” or “voluntarily” or “involuntarily”) who have made monumental/essential contributions to this so called great nation. There are also “natives” or people that are here “legally” who have created chaos/crime/division to this so called “united” states of America.
4. There is a double standard for black people. Let me take a moment to speak from the perspective of a professional black woman. As a professional black woman, I constantly have to watch what I say or how I say things for fear of being seen as an “angry black woman”, or “hostile”, or “threatening”, or “unprofessional” while my white counterparts can speak their mind and be seen as “passionate”. Even other women of color are not seen as negatively as a black woman when they speak their minds. As a black professional woman, I have to watch what I wear and my appearance so that I won’t be viewed as “unprofessional”. If I want to color my hair, I have to worry about being seen as “ghetto” while my white counterparts can change their hair color every week and it is seen as “cool” or “eccentric” or “artsy”. If I want to wear some make-up or clothes that are form fitting (due to the curvaceous shape of my body) I may be seen as looking like a “whore” or “slutty” and again “unprofessional”. To go through this process every morning is exhausting. As a black professional woman, I have to make sure I know what I am talking about and am up to date on the latest advancements and research in my field in order to prove my credentials and that I didn’t get to where I am due to affirmative action. I’ll stop here.
5. It’s interesting how many white people want to talk about black people and how ugly and undesirable we are, yet will get botox injections and plastic surgery in order to have fuller lips or curvy hips like us. Or go to a tanning salon and risk getting cancer in order to have darker skin. Or take things from our culture (music, clothes, etc) and make their own versions. It’s also interesting how in many cases it is ok to sleep with, fantasize about, and/or sexualize black men and women in private yet constantly put us down in public.
6. Many whites will point out how we as black people call each other nigga and kill each other and turn on each other and mess up our communities. Yes, there are definitely issues within the black community that we need to work on. Has it ever occurred to you (or do you even care to know) that the competition between us as blacks and hatred towards ourselves stems from slavery where we were pit against each other and separated so that we would not retaliate against the white man? Marinate on that. That is all I am going to say about that.
7. There are white people who are dedicated to the cause of racial equality and ending racial discrimination. There are white people who are willing to have these conversations despite how uncomfortable they may be. If you want to know how to help as a white person, the best way is to speak up whenever you see injustices. Your silence can be viewed as being negative and not supportive. Many of us are silent due to fear of retaliation.
8. Black people continue to be seen as inferior and continue to not be accepted and vilified and criminalized and quite frankly killed while other “minority” groups are gaining acceptance and rights even though these groups are relatively new in comparison to blacks. So to try to lump these groups together or to not understand why blacks may not be as sympathetic to the plights of these other groups is not fair. While it is true that people shouldn’t discriminate against those that are different from them or have lifestyles that they do not agree with or understand, to see other groups obtain rights and freedoms that we have yet to obtain or it is made harder for us to obtain or we are flat out denied is disheartening.
Just my perspective.
Thank you for your time.