In the Words of Michael Jackson
Alexis Herman, former Secretary of Labor for the United States of America
Yesterday, was such a hit, with Ms Channing, I thought I would once again dispel the myth that many folks, who say they are colorblind, are pretending. African-American history teaches us that many African-Americans were creative thinkers and did not want to settle for living in slave states. They would risk their lives to escape to Indian Territory. This area became the northern states, including Indiana where many Indians were slaughtered after befriending the new colonists.
Indiana became the 19th state with a constitution forbidding slavery, in 1816. This was to control the number of African-Americans who were allowed to live in the new territory. The fear that at the growth of African-Americans would overtake the new territory. So,a new form of slavery was introduced called indentured servitude. African-Americans had to have sponsorship, meaning giving their labor to raced whites folks to remain in the territory. If not these African-Americans would be booted back into slavery in the southern states. Many African-Americans who could passed for raced white settled on the outskirts of the territory and some family members were viewed as slaves based on skin color and were left alone but were really family members. Dr. Johnetta B. Cole called this as part of the psychic of studying the master and attempting to get along.
The northerners were not familiar with African-Americans looking like them who passed for raced white. This was simply looking at skin color. One reason was because Africans had came over to the new territory and were part of the Indian community. Many folks today look simply at color and assume folks belong to a specific group. Many raced white folks were fooled long ago and today many are afraid that if they not segregated that their family may become tainted by others African-Americans who are passing for almost any ethnic group, including raced whites. It is called the Hitler syndrome, hoping to remain pure. Pure meaning no dark skin babies..only in America!
In closing, for some African-Americans who can not pass because of skin color, they try to pass in other ways. Some African-Americans will distance themselves from language,music, religion, food or anything that is viewed as a negative trait by raced whites in relationship to the African-Americans. In doing so, they are seeking the approval of those who hate African-Americans on their own terms, and only will relate to those African-Americans who know their place. And an African-American knowing his or her place is because of sponsorship or approval by raced whites. Is this 1787 thinking? No thinking is current in 2007. James Baldwin, calls it the price of the ticket to belong in America. In the words of the Delaney sisters, I am going to have my say!
I am a descendant of slaves in a country built on slave labor. Now, to have the responsibility of all labor," she trails off. "Well, let's just say that to be here now is historic, special and humbling.
Yesterday, was such a hit, with Ms Channing, I thought I would once again dispel the myth that many folks, who say they are colorblind, are pretending. African-American history teaches us that many African-Americans were creative thinkers and did not want to settle for living in slave states. They would risk their lives to escape to Indian Territory. This area became the northern states, including Indiana where many Indians were slaughtered after befriending the new colonists.
Indiana became the 19th state with a constitution forbidding slavery, in 1816. This was to control the number of African-Americans who were allowed to live in the new territory. The fear that at the growth of African-Americans would overtake the new territory. So,a new form of slavery was introduced called indentured servitude. African-Americans had to have sponsorship, meaning giving their labor to raced whites folks to remain in the territory. If not these African-Americans would be booted back into slavery in the southern states. Many African-Americans who could passed for raced white settled on the outskirts of the territory and some family members were viewed as slaves based on skin color and were left alone but were really family members. Dr. Johnetta B. Cole called this as part of the psychic of studying the master and attempting to get along.
Efforts to identify with the oppressor and prove oneself worthy are accompanied by self-denial and self-deprecation because it is difficult if not impossible to embrace one image of oneself without letting a conflicting one go. This stripping of oneself takes many and diverse forms, from out-and-out "passing" to disassociating oneself from one's people and aspects of one's cultural heritage.
The northerners were not familiar with African-Americans looking like them who passed for raced white. This was simply looking at skin color. One reason was because Africans had came over to the new territory and were part of the Indian community. Many folks today look simply at color and assume folks belong to a specific group. Many raced white folks were fooled long ago and today many are afraid that if they not segregated that their family may become tainted by others African-Americans who are passing for almost any ethnic group, including raced whites. It is called the Hitler syndrome, hoping to remain pure. Pure meaning no dark skin babies..only in America!
In closing, for some African-Americans who can not pass because of skin color, they try to pass in other ways. Some African-Americans will distance themselves from language,music, religion, food or anything that is viewed as a negative trait by raced whites in relationship to the African-Americans. In doing so, they are seeking the approval of those who hate African-Americans on their own terms, and only will relate to those African-Americans who know their place. And an African-American knowing his or her place is because of sponsorship or approval by raced whites. Is this 1787 thinking? No thinking is current in 2007. James Baldwin, calls it the price of the ticket to belong in America. In the words of the Delaney sisters, I am going to have my say!
Labels: Black History Month
posted by credo | 11:26 AM
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