“You look like an Egyptian princess with your hair like that.” I turned and see my boss looking very pleased with the “compliment” she has just given me and in a tone that I hope conveyed my feelings of both confusion and disgust I responded with a tentative “thank you?” In order to understand my feelings you must know that this is the same boss you speaks disparagingly about homosexuals and has told me that President Obama “hates white culture and never tells people that he is white”. She is also the same person who told me I would enjoy reading the book The Shack, not because it was a compelling take on faith and forgiveness, but because “he writes God as a black woman”. She has also been a participant in some of those infamous “you people” conversations in which my white bosses try to better understand the choices of an individual black person as a reflection of the group as a whole.
Today’s interaction, much like those others often leads me to the same question. Is it possible that these people don’t know that what they are saying is racist or at the very least ridiculous? Could it all just be an accident or some gargantuan misunderstand? I doubt it. Most of the time I think to myself, “These people need to thank God for Jesus” because regardless of whether or not they believe they need to be glad I do because that is the only thing keeping me from turning this place into the Amistad.
My boss has never been to Egypt and other than the bust of Nefertiti has probably never seen and Egyptian “princess”. For the record, Nefertiti was an Egyptian queen not a princess. I have no idea where in Africa my blood line traces and if it does lead to Egypt I will be more than proud to claim that cultural heritage, but what Egypt is she talking about? Is it the Egypt with Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra? I’m just curious why I couldn’t just “look like a princess”. I don’t have on any “ethnic” jewelry or a head wrap. What is Egyptian about my look?
I mean really. Some days I feel like Denmark Vesey up in this piece. (Look him up…it will be worth it.) Except I know the people who would turn me in. I wish they were Uncle Tom’s because at least Uncle Tom knew to keep his mouth shut. These fools are more like Sambo – the loyal and contented servant. That ain’t me. I am looking to get my freedom papers.
*8/29 Addition
I think that my anger was initially sparked the night before when I watched a piece of what I think is called Dance Moms. My first thought was how can this very overweight woman be the dance coach. Then I hear the one black mother complain about the jungle themed outfit her daughter had to wear and her song choice of "LaQueefa". She made it worse by asking the mom if she had an afro wig. Really? Why would she just be carrying an afro wig? Why would she need an afro wig? All the LaQueefa's I know rock the wavy weave anyway.
Then when talking to camera the "coach" stressed that it was important for Nia to get the "ethnic" dance moves. She just kept assuring the mother that it would be good and showcase her being different than the other girls. The mother seemed rightly disturbed by the stereotypical undertones, but for some reason went along with it. After seeing a dance that consisted mainly of walking and booty-popping the mom had had enough and confronted the "dance coach" about the negative racial stereotyping. Not only did this woman admit that it was stereotypical, but then for all intent and purpose said that she would have done a better job if she were being paid more. WHAT?
Her whole argument was that if someone were looking for a person of color then she would get the job. What about showcasing her talents in such a way that she would be considered for more than just the token black girl role. I guess that never occured to her. I'm sure it was just an oversight, right?
*8/29 Addition
I think that my anger was initially sparked the night before when I watched a piece of what I think is called Dance Moms. My first thought was how can this very overweight woman be the dance coach. Then I hear the one black mother complain about the jungle themed outfit her daughter had to wear and her song choice of "LaQueefa". She made it worse by asking the mom if she had an afro wig. Really? Why would she just be carrying an afro wig? Why would she need an afro wig? All the LaQueefa's I know rock the wavy weave anyway.
Then when talking to camera the "coach" stressed that it was important for Nia to get the "ethnic" dance moves. She just kept assuring the mother that it would be good and showcase her being different than the other girls. The mother seemed rightly disturbed by the stereotypical undertones, but for some reason went along with it. After seeing a dance that consisted mainly of walking and booty-popping the mom had had enough and confronted the "dance coach" about the negative racial stereotyping. Not only did this woman admit that it was stereotypical, but then for all intent and purpose said that she would have done a better job if she were being paid more. WHAT?
Her whole argument was that if someone were looking for a person of color then she would get the job. What about showcasing her talents in such a way that she would be considered for more than just the token black girl role. I guess that never occured to her. I'm sure it was just an oversight, right?
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