TRUTH? Black people need to self-impose a cease and desist when attempting to validate the racist nature of an issue. The whole scenario is counter-productive. Instead, play it like a surgeon and dissect the matter from thirty-thousand feet to ground zero.
RaceWire is the blog for Colorlines, an online zine that focuses on race and politics. Today RaceWire published a news post on whether or not [Is] Mayor Pat McCrory a racist? On the table are comments made by McCrory regarding the large percentage of Black youths imitating (or actively participating in) a gangland lifestyle. The post on RaceWire also links to the original news article on MSNBC.
Black people, is it important whether or not this cat is racist? Or, is it more important to impact the racial-mindset behind his statements (i.e. his perception about Black youths and gangs)? My comments on RaceWire highlights the same sentiment:
The larger question is whether or not there is a sliver of truth in his proclamation. Consider a lot of cats out there raised by media babysitters with a compelling visual hustle (e.g. MTV’s high-life hype). There is a percentage of youngbloods out there (male and female alike) that are caught up in what they believe is that next-level format.
Doesn’t matter if the Mayor is callin’ similar white youths/institutions into question — this one is part of our community and we have a chance to exact some change. We can get down with a format that focuses on an increased exposure to a hustle & flow that stands for something — perception can’t be changed out in the world until it actually changes within our own sphere.
You dig? BTW — is the Mayor racist? Likely he adheres to a mindset that highlights a negative Black perception. Does it mean the man is completely sideways? Probably not. Are there any stats out there to contradict what he’s puttin’ on Front St.? If not, lets rap about how we can impact his administrations spreadsheets.
TRUTH? Right or wrong, we are all human beings who are going to adhere to some sort of mindset, regardless. Instead we need to get down with managing the perception about Black people, or we could be found guilty of reinforcing the negativity by letting it slide. BTW — I hit my man Baratunde with the link and he weighs in on it as well. Get down with the science he is dropping.
