Posted by Let me start this piece by saying that historically, in the United States of America, people of African decent have been time and time again handed the short end of the stick. First their was slavery, then we moved onto decades of racism, and finally when racism seems to be letting up, the inner city takes a dive for the worst leaving many African Americans completely disefranchised with reality. The thing is we have made advances with leaps and bounds regarding racism, and maybe not ending it, but at least curbing it – but we are no where near finished.
A big part of that comes from not only the racist folks actually learning a bit about those they are being racist against, but also those who are be persecuted opening their eyes as well – turning away from blaming others for their woes to having pride in their accomplishments and growing from them. This leads me to the entire point to this article – the touchy part.
If I were to establish an all Caucasion college I would be touted as a racist. Likewise if I were to establish an all Caucasian anything I’d be touted as a racist – and in fact I find anyone saying that they plan to do that as a racist – maybe its just me. That said, why are there “all black” colleges? Why are there all black anything? This is a question – not sarcasm. Is it because of the atrocities that African Americans had to endure? Is this how they are being “paid back”?
To me this is flawed logic. Isn’t the real problem that there is no balance to our society and thus African Americans feel the need to carve out their own sub culture? Isn’t this really just a different form of segregation? Realize that this isn’t a blame game, just a tragic realization. If you are being pushed out wouldn’t you try to establish something of your own? Doesn’t the establishment of that thing that is all yours also just lend to the segregation to begin with?
Why did I bring this up? Because a few minutes ago I was looking at the evil GameStop website and found this game while perusing the sports titles. So my question is as follows, and I ask this with the most non combative, non intentional racism edge as possible: Have we ostracized African Americans to such a degree that we now have to make separate football games focussed completely on their accomplishments? Realize that I am not opposed to this title, I am just curious about the mentality that was behind it, and I am curious about that because I KNOW that if someone made a game about all caucasion football they’d have a mile deep wedge of picketers at their office the following day.
My thoughts are a reflection of the Great Peace Maker, Doctor Martin Luther King Junior -I have a dream of a world where instead of forcing people to segregate themselves out of self preservation we encourage them to truly melt with everyone else. How have we forgotten his original dream?
That said – I am very curious about that game and now want to see it. I wonder what look I will get in the store from the clerk when I buy it – me being the visible poster child for white america – something I am not proud of.
Seriously? I thought that image you posted was a joke. I can’t believe a game like that got made, AND they want $60 for it. You make good points, and it is a very complicated and touchy subject that may never be resolved. I bet you it sells regardless.
Weeeeeeell, interesting observations in this article. I see your point, as far as self segregation. I understand self segregation, because I understand how it feels to grow up and not feel like you can relate to most of those around you when racist comments are thrown around as joke in school, and you are the “other”, you grow up with shame that you learn later is something bigger. That something bigger is institutionalized racism, which is much more dangerous than using a racial slur. Institutionalized racism makes the person seek out identity, and finds it much easier with those that they can share the same cultural experience with. Having said that, ultimately once that identity is established, we have to learn to live outside of our segregated bubble, in order to successfully diminish institutionalized racism perpetuated in our schools, our american culture, our pop culture, and our society as a whole. Its too bad Tupac is not alive to see a black president in office, we are moving in the right direction.
“Take the evil out the people they’ll be acting right
’cause both black and white is smokin’ crack tonight
and only time we chill is when we kill each other
it takes skill to be real, time to heal each other…”
-Tupac Shakur
Wow. Well said. I could not agree more. One big vicious cycle. Thank you for the comment.
I enjoyed each of your responses. Insightful and honest. It is my observation that our world is still incapable of dealing with the ultimate potential and greater success we could achieve through cooperation no matter – color, creed, religion, gender, economic status, education, ect. We can be segmented across so many lines if you waste your time looking. I do see it as a waste of time because I view you all as humans. The question is why is this game acceptable? Tupac exemplifies it because African Americans have taught us tolerance. The message of the game is not “it’s better to be black” it’s about the experience.
Unfortunately, the sinister side of it is that the game was probably invented by some white guys who are taking advantage of the African American experience to turn a buck. Understanding, of course, that no one will bother to raise a stink because doing so could invoke the term racism. Am I wrong? I hope so!