Am I racist? Are my friends racist? When a stranger from another race looks at me, do they see me, or what they have been taught to see?
I never considered investigating any of these matters before, but a reality series I watched over the weekend forced me to examine myself as both a victim and a product of a racialized society.
In the show “Black.White.,” the lives of two American families — the Wurgels and the Sparks — were documented as they donned makeup which made them appear as members of the opposite race. The goal of the project was to help both families gain new perspectives on members of the opposite race through experiencing the others’ lives and the realities they face on a day-to-day basis for five weeks.
There were two individuals who struggled with the project who caught my attention. Nick, the youngest member of the Sparks family, chose not to fully engage in the experience because he had never focused his attention on racism or its history, and didn’t want to be forced to look at it.
It begs the question, what exactly is racism in the 21st century?
It’s mostly subtle. Sometimes it’s overt. Nevertheless, each time it is enacted, it reopens a wound which never has the opportunity to heal, no matter the race. Yet Nick’s inability to conceive of racism as something which remains prevalent in American culture suggests that upcoming generations are seeing it through the fog history has placed over society and are allowing themselves to view the world with color-blind eyes.
This color-blind vision, however, is not as blind as it’s intended to be. Our exposure to literature, music, films and even perceptions from families and friends throughout our childhood inevitably leaves us with a view which is slightly tinted. This tinted scope through which we see race demands us to expect certain qualities, habits or features of people from different races they may or may not possess.
As we mature, we learn that there is no inherent relationship between one’s race and one’s personality. Yet the internalization of these various outlets for racial criticism and commentary leaves us no choice but to find the markings which separate us from each other, even if they don’t matter.
So yes, we’re all just a tad bit racist. Unfortunate, isn’t it?
Personal responsibility should overshadow racism and be the primary factor in one’s ability to succeed. There are more than enough opportunities granted to people of all races so that everyone has equal access to the American dream — whatever that might mean to them. Those having consistent bad luck gaining employment can’t blame “The Man.”
Who is “The Man” anymore? In our time, “The Man” exists within us, not only as a notion, but as an internal crutch which prevents us from wanting to reach beyond that which exists within our boundaries.
On the other hand, there is no denying that practices still exist which are to the benefit of some races and to the detriment of others. There is no way to deny history’s influence on us, but, more so now than 50 or 100 years ago, people of all races have the tools necessary to establish themselves, so “The Man” who prevents one from achieving success rests right in a mirror’s reflection.
Despite Ice Cube’s efforts as executive producer of “Black.White.” to foster understanding between blacks and whites, wearing makeup for five weeks is not the solution for that kind of social comprehension. No race can truly understand the history of another and how that history has framed their lives, even to the most personal of circumstances. Yet they can appreciate that history as much as they can appreciate their own.