First, let me explain that I am a black woman who loves her people, and it is out of that love this view arises. Due to the recent anti-discriminatory hubbub, it has become increasingly necessary for people to develop and stand by their own opinions. It is no secret that African Americans have been subjected to racial discrimination. However, aren’t some of those same African Americans guilty of the same crime? Let me explain.
Let us remind ourselves of the infamous Don Imus “nappy headed o’s…” fiasco. True, it was unnecessary for him to call the female team out of their name when they were celebrating a win.
But how often have black men said similar derogatory terms when a woman is “celebrating” her beauty and decides not to give them the time of day? How often have we gotten “crunk” and either bought or burned music that calls women every derogatory term under the sun? So why is this different? Why can the black man make a sexist/racist comment without a second glance and the white man has to lose his job before people are satisfied?
The reason is racial discrimination. No matter how many Al Sharptons, Jesse Jacksons, or Black Panthers you have, racial discrimination is still the “unfair treatment of one person or group, usually because of prejudice about race, ethnicity, age, religion, or gender,” according to Encarta. And trust me, people, it goes both ways.
To bring this point home, let us discuss the recent Jena 6 issues. Yes, it is true that there was some discrepancy in the fair treatment of those involved. In addition, I do not condone the use of nooses to prove a point. However, the actual incident happened over a year ago. Why are so many leaders deciding to act now? Was this at the bottom of their list for hate crimes to chase? And why do we believe that they should all get off scot-free when they almost killed the “victim”?
Before you decide to stone me, or label me a member of the Klan, let’s clarify this point with a look at the violent event that occurred on campus this weekend. So many are ready to defend the assailant who stabbed a peer during a fight because they know him as a friend. But let’s just imagine if he was white, many of those same people would be ready to call him racist and equally satisfied to label it a hate crime and ask for the death penalty.
Lastly, the examination of the so called “twin to Jena 6,” Waller County. Most should be outraged at the flippant use of a case that has sparked so much anti-discriminatory attention. Except for sharing the loose “father” that is discrimination, there is no criteria that makes Waller a twin to Jena, La. At best, Waller County would be a distant stepsister. Judge Charleston has gone over the principal’s head and decided to protest on her behalf when she is quite happy with the $125,000 bond that is now put on hold. Despite the principal’s motives, we must also examine the judge’s reasons for deciding to take on this case and begin frequenting the campus that he usually only visits every election.
In addition, I admire the work that the student body president is doing toward both incidences, but why can we not get that passionate about things that directly concern the STUDENT BODY? Why wasn’t Judge Charleston sparking up a financial aid rally? And why are we always ready to follow “word of mouth” without even searching for the “horse’s” mouth?
For the majority of people, it is because of the bandwagon theory, which is a term that describes the tendency for individuals to join the group. Which is fine, but when this group leads us toward discriminatory behavior, it is necessary for us, as college students, to examine ourselves. By all means get behind anything you feel is worthy, but first know the facts, check them twice, and then… make your own decision.