People don’t always recognize racism. My friend “Molly” and I, in high school, always joked about her relatives – I had to joke, because I was so horrified at the, “your people” comments that laughing seemed to be the best way through it – we always joked that her aunt was a benevolent racist. As in, “Gosh, look how nice I am, to put up with your shortcomings as a spokesmodel for your race!” Here I come to find out that there’s a sociological descriptive for it – benign. Scientific American explains it for benign sexism. And I am backwards applying it to my high school self for benign racism.
Okay, honestly, there’s no such thing. Racism is corrosive internally or externally, there is no benign. And, when I hear things like, “You’ll have such cute babies,” I can understand how people think they’re saying something nice. Still, though… Dear, People, let me be clear: YOU ARE NOT saying something nice.
Number One, my metaphorical babies are MY business. Please see to your own, and stop talking about my reproductive organs/issues/choices as if they are yours. What if I’m not having babies?? Number Two, the assumption that my babies will be spectacularly beautiful JUST because they’re biracial is …wow, so troubling. Is it the civilizing Caucasian influence alleviating the savage animalism of African Americanism? Is it the perky jive and Soul Train divaism alleviating the oppressive white-breadedness of being Caucasian? Are you possibly building a race, and trying out the idea of hybrid vigor?
Oh, don’t answer. Just… think before you speak.
Not So Adorable
If I had wanted
My baby’s looks to suit you,
I would have had YOURS
call me ishmael
“I like a little
chocolate,” he said, and I
thought of homicide
she meant no insult
“Perfectly toasted.
Means not burnt, and not too raw.”
Man lives not by bread.
the test
as long as brown girls
still pick out the whitest doll
we still have issues
