Whenever these threads popped up I'm amazed at how the PO'ed people are always lambasted for not giving the perpetrator (yes, I said it
) a pass, simply because they don't see anything wrong with their behavior.
If we stayed giving them passes half a decade ago because WE saw issues they did not, I'd still be getting second best for everything... backs of buses, shanty behind schools and supplies, ya'll know the rest... and I'm sorry, but I'm better than that, and so are all the other non white people I know.
And instead of giving him passes on asking me about combing my hair, because he thinks it's cool, I'd be giving him passes on talking about my hips or my booty, and trying to fend him or someone other clear man off on my walk home, just because he didn't put the thought into it initially to see that he's out of line.
I jumped making the connection, but it's honestly a direct extension to me. I'm not giving ANYONE any type of pass on ANYTHING when it comes to any type of statement that reveals ignorance, miseducation, or racism when it comes to a black person, and I'm definitely going to be very irritated when it's suggested that I do so. His statement was harmless enough contextually, but this mess always pisses me off because it's a rights issue. He's entitled to not here ish being said about his nose, so until I'm not hearing everyone crack on my hair (TO ME especially!) because I'm a black woman and you know hair's our thing so it's funny, haha, we're not cool peoples, son!
We're supposed to be giving you passes... where are our daggone passes? We've gotten those?
Can I ask you when you're going to finally stop pinching you pennies and loosen up a little? Would it be okay if I ask why you aren't a jeweler or a banker, and why you decided to work here? I'd be chewed out and out the door with hurt feelings.
I have been in multicultural and multiracial environments in the U.S. ALL my life, and I have NEVER seen a black woman or man get a pass on ANY race-related thing if there were more than one clear person present. More importantly, much of the reason is that we don't have the privilege of needing them all the daggone time! White people have the
privilege of being allowed to be ignorant and oblivious. Black people don't have that. Not too long ago, an ignorant black man or woman was a tarred, stabbed, strung up, drowned burnt black man or woman. It's not too different today, except now it's more like a shot or jailed black man or woman. The end result is still a termination of the possibility of a fulfilling life. I've only seen black people get passes on these things when I've been abroad, and only when they were foreigners or tourists. Generally speaking, we don't get passes in this country, and I'm not dishing them out.
This is what "white privilege" is about. This is what being one step away from shucking and jiving, coonery and buffoonery, and Uncle Tom the toady, is about.
Whites have gotten the pass privilege long enough, and I'm D.O.N.E. provided it. It's time we were on the same playing field in law AND in life, sorry.
In my estimation, we're not really equal in standing in terms of citizenship and respect until you show me the SAME respect I am culturally and professionally required to show your sorry behind, and I am not going to be happy about it, and I am NOT. GIVING. ANY. PASSES.