Ever hear these comments:
I will not go to a black doctor
I don’t like black waiters or waitresses
I don’t like black customers because they don’t tip
Ghetto black people make me nervous
I don’t like going to a black owned business because
they don’t know the meaning of customer service.
Or these comments:
She is pretty for being so dark skinned.
Don’t stay out in the sun too long!
If you're white, you're right. If you're brown, stick
around. If you're black, stay back."
Believe it or not these comments do not come from
white bigoted white people but from blacks themselves! Let’s talk about the first
type of prejudice and that is towards black businesses and neighborhood in
general.
What’s MY price? I’ve know you for years where’s my
“Hook Up”? I’m sure you are familiar with it. It’s when you receive an item or
service at a vastly discounted price or even for free. It’s the attitude that
makes one believe, “Hey, I’m black like you so I deserve a break”. What does
that say when people do this? Have you ever done this or have had it done to
you? To me it says they are cheap, unappreciative and could care less about the
time, effort, material, labor, etc required so the business owner can earn a
decent living but they would NEVER say that to a white owner! Why is this the
case? What about those black businesses or waiter/waitresses that don’t understand
what “Customer Service” is but still expect you to patronize them or tip them
for lousy service? What does this say? Or those servers that hate serving black
people because they “Never Tip”! Can you relate to this?
Or what about those who simply feel that they “Can’t
Relate” to black people and they are black themselves? They feel that blacks
are loud, obnoxious and ghetto and they feel out of sorts around them.
Light Skin vs Dark Skin Blacks:
The whole and light and dark issue in African American
communities has formed a new type of prejudice. Colorism is a topic that needs
to be talked about more in the Black community and in the media. While many
blacks do not discriminate against each other by color this attitude is not
unique. The fact that blacks often treat other blacks differently, based on the
shade of their skin, is an open secret in the black community. Can Colorism and
racism be compared to each other? Historians say the friction between blacks of
different shades began during slavery because light-skinned blacks, often the
children of slaves and their white masters, got better treatment.
Lighter skin began to be associated with privilege and
it became associated with beauty. The Bon Ton Society and the Blue Vein Society
were formed and applicants had to be fair enough so the blue veins on their
skin were visible. Fraternities and churches would use the paper bag test. If
the skin of an applicant was darker than the bag, he or she couldn't join.
Sometimes, a fine-toothed comb was hung at the door. If one's hair snagged in
the comb, entry was denied. (Straight hair was often regarded as "good
hair" -- as opposed to tightly curled hair -- often associated with
lighter skin.)
Animosity had to grow out of that unfair relationship.
Darker-skinned blacks began to resent light-skinned blacks who were given
opportunities to succeed. Race is an illusion, but racism is real. People are
beautiful regardless of skin tone so why so much self hate?
We have to start supporting our black businesses more
without looking for a handout and businesses need to give the same customer
service to blacks as they do their white customers! With so many other things
going on externally that affect the black race; it is a darn shame that our own
people are causing each other unnecessary mental anguish. Black folks have to
realize that whether you are light or dark skinned, the white man still
categorizes you the same.
What are YOUR Thoughts Corner Family…
(Click on the Link Below to comment…)
http://www.cullenscorner.com/forum/topics/are-black-prejudice-against-their-own-race-your-thoughts-here-s-m
