You highlight the problems with people holding so-called progressive ideologies and their total lack of real familiarity with immigrants or those with foreign family background. As the child and grandchild of immigrants it's a no-brainer for me to observe conservative family backgrounds that shape others' experiences even if my family is from a different continent or country. Strict Moms and Dads, discipline, hard work -- these are our common values. And that's not true only for first or second generation. This is what it meant to hang on to your family and protect them. The things kids project (like "Bounty" are often in conflict with what their elders want to teach them, in non-immigrant groups as well. Woke / progressive doesn't get it!
As for me, I don’t like the division between black and white at all. Nobody is actually black and nobody is actually white, we’re all slightly darker or lighter depending on the amount of sunshine (not much of that this year).
People talk about the black community but never the white community and anyone who points that out is called a racist.
Time to end the division that someone somewhere benefits from.
Thank you for this piece, my Nigerian sister. I have been labelled all those as well because apparently I act and sound white, whatever that means.
It never ceases to amaze me that the behaviours or conduct that I get pilloried for by these purveyors of hate are behaviours rooted in decency. For instance, giving up my seat for an older person in the subway, answering ma'am or sir to elderly folks, or speaking English properly without slang.
My question then is: Do these people not realise that by hurling these labels at us, they are invariably arrogating to white people the province of proper conduct and good behaviour? Ironic, isn't it?
Finally, I close by saying that when I first went to the US, my first taste of racism was at the hand of some black American folks because I refused to join their groupthink against the "Man".
Respect...
You highlight the problems with people holding so-called progressive ideologies and their total lack of real familiarity with immigrants or those with foreign family background. As the child and grandchild of immigrants it's a no-brainer for me to observe conservative family backgrounds that shape others' experiences even if my family is from a different continent or country. Strict Moms and Dads, discipline, hard work -- these are our common values. And that's not true only for first or second generation. This is what it meant to hang on to your family and protect them. The things kids project (like "Bounty" are often in conflict with what their elders want to teach them, in non-immigrant groups as well. Woke / progressive doesn't get it!
Thank you Ada.
As for me, I don’t like the division between black and white at all. Nobody is actually black and nobody is actually white, we’re all slightly darker or lighter depending on the amount of sunshine (not much of that this year).
People talk about the black community but never the white community and anyone who points that out is called a racist.
Time to end the division that someone somewhere benefits from.
Love this.
Thank you for this piece, my Nigerian sister. I have been labelled all those as well because apparently I act and sound white, whatever that means.
It never ceases to amaze me that the behaviours or conduct that I get pilloried for by these purveyors of hate are behaviours rooted in decency. For instance, giving up my seat for an older person in the subway, answering ma'am or sir to elderly folks, or speaking English properly without slang.
My question then is: Do these people not realise that by hurling these labels at us, they are invariably arrogating to white people the province of proper conduct and good behaviour? Ironic, isn't it?
Finally, I close by saying that when I first went to the US, my first taste of racism was at the hand of some black American folks because I refused to join their groupthink against the "Man".
Good for Calvin Robinson!
Brilliant and principled piece.
What an excellent piece of writing: clear, well argued and compassionate. Thank you Ada.
Amen sister