I was reading the article the “L” Word: Man vs. Woman, in last week’s edition of The Panther, and a very odd quote caught my attention. The quote was the following, “One thing I like is black girls that act white… they act proper and are generally more jipper.” I had to ask what does that mean? Is there a black way to act and a white way to act? From my understanding and Webster’s definition those are simply colors, black and white that is. It is really frustrating as a black American collegiate student at PV to open up The Panther and read racial and incompetent statements such as that.
Does this person realize that there were people of different expressions reading this paper? Did they stop and think about how that statement depicts blacks all around the world? Does this “John” understand that his mother is black. Is she improper? How about his grandmothers, or any other woman that raised, fed, and clothed him. Are they improper? It is interesting to me how “we” can be our own worst enemy. Has it ever occurred to you “John” or anyone else that agreed with his statement that other races of people don’t say ignorant things like that in public? The fact of the matter is they uphold, encourage and speak highly of one another. It would be nice if you could pick up the positive and drop the negative.
I believe that one statement like that is all we need as a people to destroy our community even more, a community that is already at mercy to be uplifted and brought back up to a healthy and thriving setting. “John” I ask you to get yourself a white woman and not substitute what you believe to be a black woman who portrays what you deem white. Are white women only snobby, whiney and willing to do anything? Does that stereotype fit them, like you are trying to stereotype black women? I believe that if you were truly a man, one that knows how to respect and accept his woman, you wouldn’t have made that statement.
Be a man; don’t hide behind this stupid stereotype that you are so fixated on. Explain yourself. I challenge you to tell the student body exactly what you meant by that statement. I would love to have the opportunity to hear your theory behind black women, and see exactly where you got the notion that we are not proper or jipper or any other false notion that you have. You, my friend, are confused, and no disrespect to your current mate, but I do suggest she call it quits with you. If you are not able to accept her for her, a black woman, but only because she fits the description, a warped one, of something you have conjured in your mind, then you don’t like her for her. You like her because she has had sympathy on you, you aren’t able to get exactly what you want, (and I’m referring to a white woman), so you want to substitute. “Jane” do not be a man’s substitute. If he can’t accept that you are a black American woman who acts like herself, who is jipper, proper and proud, then he does not deserve you.
My fellow Panthers, as a wise, beautiful, and proper black American woman once asked, “Will we always possess the same mentality that others are better, or will we wake up and be proud of who we are and capitalize on that?” Oh, and “John” if you do choose to reply, don’t hide behind the disguise of “John,” or maybe you like “white” names. Then again, my black uncle’s name is John. Wow, who thought it would be possible-a black man, with a “white” name. Notice the quotation marks, the emphasis, don’t get it twisted.
Kasai Porter
Concerned Student