Wanted to share with you all a link I saw on my Facebook newsfeed:
And, of course, the reaction I had.
This is the article that sparked the absolute, utter fabulousness that is #itooamharvard:
http://www.thecrimson.com/column/the-snollygoster/article/2012/11/2/Siskind-affirmative-action/
Here's what I had to say upon sharing #itooamharvard:
"Oh good grief. It's funny, and mind-boggling, and disgusting all at the same time.
And looking back... I've gotten so many of these, and it's not just from non-black people. Most common one is "What ARE you?" You mean, other than annoyed at that question?
It's also funny, looking at how much stuff I've gotten away with. I mean, I don't relax my hair to look white. I do it because it makes my hair easier to manage. But when my hair doesn't get done for a long time? Because of demographics I can get away with just brushing my hair back and going about my business. Most people will say it looks fine... Probably partly out of not knowing better. LOL... Oi...
OH! And before I forget... My first college roommate. When we first met face-to-face she said she was surprised to have seen my Facebook profile, because on the phone I "sounded like a redhead".
I'm still trying to figure out what the hell a redhead sounds like.
And the parting shot... I love that the girl who was told "Don't get any tanner" clarified it was her EX-boyfriend who said that."
I like to be optimistic and think that things work so much better than this in the real world. But unfortunately that isn't the case.
Now, you might notice that the link on there only gives you the first 21 photos. That means there are 42 more photos to see.
(To the exceptionally ignorant/rude out there... Surprise surprise! I can do math! 42+21=63)
...
Sorry, just had to add that in there.
Math isn't my best subject. It's not because I'm black. It's because I haven't really practiced it in years, and pre-algebra all the way up through calculus I struggled with it.
BUT I do have a M.S. in counseling, as well as my PLMHP and some other credentials I won't bore you all with. That's gotta count for something, right? ;)
Isn't it interesting how the target audience/population involved impact how such statements are taken? I mean, I HATE the "What are you?" question like you don't even underSTAND. I remember the first time I heard it, too. I was in... 6th grade, I believe. A black girl said it to me, along with "Why do you talk so proper?" And questions about the hair, the skin...
Just because I typically don't use Black American English Vernacular / African American Vernacular English / Ebonics / whatever the proper term for it is today... Doesn't mean I am less than. Although if anything, I could stand to learn it (BAEV/AAVE/etc.) a bit better.
Just because I don't use AAVE doesn't mean I am MORE than, either.
Wouldn't it surprise you to learn that BAEV/AAVE/Ebonics is actually recognized as its own language?
Have a little Wikipedia :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American_Vernacular_English
ANYWAY! The purpose of this post wasn't for me to get on my little soapbox. I just wanted to talk about my own experience and share an article that really his home for me.
That said...
Haven't you ever been misjudged?
(The preview of the #itooamharvard video that will be shared on Friday:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uAMTSPGZRiI
I'm kind of excited for this!)
