Current Weather Conditions |
Black Adversity: The Opposite of White Privilege
1. Alone, I appear threatening. If I'm in a group of others who look like me, that is a cause for some kind of suspicion or even panic.
2. In order to not cause suspicion, I must be in the company of (mostly) whites.
3. If I move, I can be sure I will likely end up in poor neighborhood whether I want to or not.
4. If I move into a white neighborhood, it will be enough to arouse suspicion with my neighbors.
5. When I go shopping, I can be sure I will arouse suspicion and be followed around.
6. I will be sure that when I turn on the TV, I will most likely see others who look like me as ball players, criminals, clowns or overall failures of society.
7. When I turn to the local news on tv or in a newspaper, I can be sure most of the crime reported will have faces of suspects who look like me.
8. I know that my history is celebrated during the shortest month of the year and will likely not be celebrated any other time.
9. I know that most of the history taught is of history of mainly white people.
10. I can be sure that most of the stories I have to read for class are stories written by whites featuring white characters.
11. I can be sure that in order to pass in school I have to learn history and literature of whites by whites.
12. In order for whites to listen to me, I must agree with what they think about me and my people.
13. I can be sure that whites will not listen to me when it comes to race and racism, and anytime I bring up the subject, it will likely meet with denial or opposition.
14. I can be sure that in order to "make it" in the music industry I must sing or rap about sex, drugs, violence and killing my own people.
15. I can be sure that in order to "make it" in the music industry I must be an R&B, Jazz, rap or hip-hop artist.
16. When I use cash, checks, or credit cards, my skin is enough for suspicion.
17. When children of my race are missing, I know the media will likely not pay too much, if any, attention to them.
18. I know during my lifetime, I will be taught that my race is inferior in some way, shape or form.
19. I can be pretty sure that teachers will likely and severely punish children of my race for small infractions.
20. I can be pretty sure that children of my race will be put down or judged because of their race.
21. I know that the dropout rate for male children of my race is the highest among other races.
22. The way I look contributes to the way I should talk in order to be considered black.
23. I know that making good grades and good manners are signs that I'm "acting white."
24. I can be pretty sure that I'm automatically a representative for my group in the entertainment, political, religious or social area.
25. I know that any bad manners I have is associated with my color.
26. As a male I can be sure that living beyond 30 is a blessing.
27. I know that growing up, I will likely see poverty, drugs, violence and/or murder at least once.
28. If I grew up middle-class or upper-class, I may be looked upon with negativity by some of my own peers. If I grew up lower-class, I may still be looked upon with negativity by some of my own peers.
29. As a female I can be sure that the standard for beauty in this society is white or light skin.
30. I have a good chance of growing up in a single parent home.
31. I have at least one family member or relative who is either in prison or has been in prison, or I've known someone who is black that is or has been to prison.
32. As a child there's a chance that I will likely be considered "bad" by adults who know me faster than being acknowledged of any positives.
33. If I murder a white person, I can be pretty sure that I will get the death penalty.
34. If I murder a black person, I can be pretty sure that my sentence will be lighter compared to white victims.
35. I can be sure that I will be pulled over by police because of my race.
36. I can be sure that I will either be harassed, abused or even killed by police because of my race.
37. In court, I will likely not get a fair trial.
38. I know that as a male, there's a 1 in 3 chance that I will end up in prison, and losing my right to vote.
39. As a male I must marry within my race or be considered a sellout by my own people or someone going after "their" women by other races.
40. As a male I know my number one cause of death is homicide most likely by another male who looks like me.
41. I know a new television series will have main characters that will not look like me.
42. I know that negative stereotypes about my people will continue despite a high number of those who do not fit those stereotypes. In other words I will be judged by the actions of a few.
43. I know that my experiences with racism mean little or nothing.
44. I know that I will be a scapegoat for almost anything and everything wrong with this society.
45. I know that there will be movies featuring white people saving my people.
46. I know that my history prior to slavery is hardly discussed or brought up in classrooms. We were taught that we came from slaves and nothing else.
47. I can be sure I will likely not get the job or career I want based upon my race.
48. I know that all of my people are judged for the actions of one or a few of my people.
49. I have to live with the fact that my true culture, language, history are stripped away, and the proof I have to live with is in my name.
50. I am often told that something is wrong with me and not with the society I live in.
51. As a female the shade of my skin defines beauty. If my skin is dark or hair is nappy, then there's a chance that I will be considered ugly by my peers.
52. As a female and mother I will be judged negatively by the number of children I have. If I do have children, I will be assumed that I am unmarried, that I'm on welfare, or that I'm simply an unfit mother.
53. As a child I can be sure that the newest cartoon series will not feature characters that look like me. If they do, they will likely be some form of negative stereotype.
54. As a male I will be judged by my male peers on how bad, tough or "street" I am. At school, I will likely be judged for my bad behavior and athletic abilities. At times I will just be suspected because I'm a young black male.
55. In religion I am taught that God is white and that whiteness is purity and cleanliness and that my skin color is the exact opposite.
56. As a female I am assumed to have a bad attitude, that I'm a golddigger or that I like to show off my body.
57. I have to live with the notion that any organiazation for blacks are considered inferior or racist by whites.
58. I am encouraged to be the best black anything in society and not simply the best.
59. I am assumed that any position I'm in is because of affirmative action and not on my own merits.
60. I have to live with the fact that I am not considered a "regular" person, or simply a person, that I am considered a black person.
61. As a child I know the most famous fictional characters from books, television, and movies are mostly white.
62. As a homosexual I am loathed by society more so than my white counterparts.
63. I know I am paid less than my white counterparts in almost any career or job.
64. I know negative images about people who look like me are seen around the world.
65. In a white dominated society my life is either worth less than that of whites, or just plain worthless.
Recent comments
- Rob's cook shack
1 day 12 hours ago - Rob's Cook Shack
2 days 3 hours ago - SO TRUE
2 days 7 hours ago - The end of SCE&G is just 2
4 days 3 hours ago - THX
4 days 6 hours ago - SCEG
4 days 16 hours ago - Huge price difference
5 days 4 hours ago - Rude?
2 weeks 1 day ago - (No subject)
2 weeks 6 days ago - Liz Orr.........
2 weeks 6 days ago




Bless ya heart. You seem to
Bless ya heart. You seem to have anger issues sweetie. You also seem to have alota time on ya hands. I hope ya do volunteer work. Sorry to hear that ya think it is so bad here on earth. Kinda makes ya wonder if GOD really created us all equally huh? Well sweetie pie don't ya go thinkin' to much about the negative. Be positive! You create alot of the negativity in your world. Please work on that. I will pray for ya tonight before bed. Again bless ya heart!!!
With all due respect, I don't need 'prayer.'
All I've done was make a list of truths about being black in America only to have these kinds of responses. I have never said that it was bad living on earth. You made that assumption without reading this blog in its entirety. You also failed to research why this blog was written. Have you researched what white privilege is? My guess would be no. I suppose that even if you did, you would still ignore it.
God may have created us all equally, but man doesn't treat us all as equals. That's the harsh truth, but don't think that this is a 'woe is me, the world sucks' blog. Why not go out and research the topic beyond what is in your bible, and then you'll realize that you can't argue what is subjective. Unfortunately, others don't think so according to the comments I've received.
ya know...
You know, if a white person posted something like this, RACIST would be the word that came to mind...right?
Wow....just Wow
My better judgement has told me not to post anything in response to this blog, but I just can't help it. I have been trained to be objective in all that I do or say, but all that went out of the window while I read this post. I respectfully disagree with your statements on the blog, TheArtistWill, but I will acknowledge the fact that you are entitled to your opinion. My black, married, educated and employed parents taught me the proverb of throwing rocks at a hornets nest is always a dumb thing because you are bound to get stung. Buddy, whatever people say or do to you in response to this blog, whether it be good, bad or indifferent, you have it coming to you. I'm a black man from Hampton County that has seen my own measure of success. I measure my success not on my complexion, skin tone or my race (becasue I look like you) , but on my effort, my drive and my panache. My discipline as a human being, as a man, made me who I am; not the fact that I have felt endebtted, have been made subservient or castigated by another group of people. What you wrote in your blog is in my opinion described as a "self-fulfilling prophecy" and if you were to dedicate a few more moments of your time to actually realizing that the world that you know is actually in contrast to the one we live in, you will see where I am coming from. So log off the computer, get off your grandmothers couch, wipe the Cheetos out of the corner of your mouth and get a life. The whole "white man holding us down" bs went out of style about fifteen years ago. You are smarter than you sound in this blog. If I were you, I would take it down for the sake of peace. I'm praying for you, man.
And, yes, I am who you think I am and yes, I know who you are....cuzzin..
-tlc
Living Together
It certainly made my day to read a comment that accurately represented the articulate, intelligent, and unbiased black majority of our county! Too often the loud, angry, and seriously racist segment of the black community are perceived as "typical". Thank you for demonstrating the ignorance of this perception.
I should've known better
TLC, first off, I don't know who you are. Second, this blog isn't about me. If you were to take the time to read it as well as do a little research as to the purpose of this list, you would know that this list is about the experiences of blacks in a white dominated society. That's right, I said read and research two things you as well as these other people who commented have done neither.
Your argument is erroneous for the simple fact that you based how you lived to be truth encompassing all blacks in this nation. You've had successes which is great, but your life is not the same as every single black person in this world let alone this nation. Sure, some have succeeded, but it doesn't make this list any less true. This list names the experiences of black people from different walks of life. If you were to read it you would find that it lists black men, black women, black children, poor blacks, middle-class blacks, rick blacks, heterosexual and homosexual blacks, religious blacks, etc. etc. I guess you missed that while you were stating your opinion.
If you believe that skin color is irrelevant today, you are the one who's been under a rock. There are countless examples that dispute this. The rising of the Tea Party, the number of blacks in prison, the war on drugs that still continues, police brutality, the education system, and other matters are a few examples. Scholars, anti-racist authors and bloggers, and everyone inbetween have written and spoken about this deception of colorblindness or post-racial society. I didn't come up with this on my own. It's been documented by many people from years ago to today.
Lastly, don't give me that "white man holding us down, that was fifteen years ago" argument without some solid evidence. Yes, things are better now than they were thirty years ago, but many things are still the same. Also, don't think that the past has no effect on what's happening today; that too is also proven false. Finally, don't assume that you are exempt from racism or its effects because as a black man sooner or later you are reminded one way or another. That's the truth, plain and simple.
It's sad to read these comments, but I should expect a backlash after saying something that's true. TLC, if you think your last sentence is going to scare me, think again. I'll continue to write and draw what's true whether you or anyone else like it or not. In the meantime enjoy living in your own world. I, for one, will continue doing what many people in this town are afraid to do, find the truth.
Adieu.
http://willcapersblaqueink.blogspot.com
www.tinfoilonmyhead.com Tell
www.tinfoilonmyhead.com
Tell Cousin Josephine I'll come by and see her the next time I come down. Take care, Will.
-tlc
Some truth
No matter how bad this blog may sound there is some element of truth in it when there should be no truth to it at all. Some points are over the top and some of them are right on point. Regardless, we each have to responsibility to define ourselves and not be defined by the preconceived notions of society. Regardless of the color of your complexion, it's no excuse to be ignorant and re-irresponsible.
You know
I'm not even going to argue because one can not argue with ignorance. Have fun and take care.
My response was not for
My response was not for you to feel offended nor to provoke an argument. I simply was suggesting that if people respond to an individual solely based on the color of their skin than they are ignorant and if an individual solely thinks the response was based on the color of their skin then they are ignorant to make such an assumption without considering all of the circumstances behind the situation. The beauty of blogs is that everyone can freely express their opinion without the threat of harm.
Before I even start I want
Before I even start I want to make somethign clear... I disagree with both terms "black" and "African American". African American implies that African citizens came to the US and became US citizens. If you were born in the USA then you are American, plain and simple. Black is just wrong... we don't call descendants of asian americans yellow or desendants of Native Americans "red. Frankly while I don't get bent out of shape about it I don't like being called white.
There is no doubt that there is some truth in this blog... there is no disputing that. However at the same time there are some things here that clearly have nothing to do with race at all.
* I don't see how a student dropping out of school of their own decision has anything to do with race...
* Not all "black" organizations are racist... but you really only hear about the ones acting racist and militant through the media. Like blocking voting booths, threatening white people trying to vote and standing on the street shouting about killing "crackas" & killing white babies. If you don't believe me I suggest you youtube it.
* If you want to gripe about black history month being celebrated in the shortest month of the year I suggest you pick up a history book... February was chosen because it was the birth month of two Americans that highly influenced the lives and social conditions of African Americans. Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas, a former slave abolitionist... AND it was origionally a week, not a month.
Some of your statments imply that members of the black community's actions and even who they marry are influenced by their peers because of how they want to be seen by them and accepted.
No one is treated equally by anyone, ever. I understand that only some of these black organizations are radicals and that they speak only for themselves... but unfortunately it reflects on the entire black culture.
The events that took place against the black community before and during the civil rights movement were horrible. those people fought and sacrificed for what they wanted and what they beleived in. They earned what they wanted for themselves and their children and their children's children. The key word here is "earned"... now 40+ years later we have people (not everyone) who want to just be given what they want based on what their grandparents went through.
You know what the difference between something earned & something given is? Something given to you has no meaning, you have no investment in it and it will quickly be taken for granted and forgotten about.
- Will Clifton
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is perspective, not the truth." -Marcus Aurelius