Is black a four letter word?
For the past few days at camp there have been grumbling by black campers about M,a white counselor, who they believe has being racist against them. Yesterday I and D, a black male counselor, told M, that it might be good to sit down and talk with the campers, giving them a space to let her know how they feel. She flipped the fuck out. The highlights were:
1. her yelling "I'M NOT RACIST EVEN A LITTLE BIT AT ALL!" and
2. "I wasn't targeting them because they're [whispering] black. " She actually whispered the word black!
My heart went out to her cause I saw how upset she was. THe campers said they hated her and called her racist, two things that white people don't like. I assume this is her first time being confronted about her racism. I hope it opens her up, instead of shutting her down. Unfortunately, she's also taking the heat for all of camp being designed for white rich kids, from the leadership to the activities we do to what we value. The black girls are reassured they don't fit in all the time at camp and not just by M.
They're only in middle school, but they're already aware they're going to be struggling against racism their whole lives.
1. her yelling "I'M NOT RACIST EVEN A LITTLE BIT AT ALL!" and
2. "I wasn't targeting them because they're [whispering] black. " She actually whispered the word black!
My heart went out to her cause I saw how upset she was. THe campers said they hated her and called her racist, two things that white people don't like. I assume this is her first time being confronted about her racism. I hope it opens her up, instead of shutting her down. Unfortunately, she's also taking the heat for all of camp being designed for white rich kids, from the leadership to the activities we do to what we value. The black girls are reassured they don't fit in all the time at camp and not just by M.
They're only in middle school, but they're already aware they're going to be struggling against racism their whole lives.
Labels: race, white people are racist
posted by wms at 3:43 PM
2 Comments:
Yes! Sad isn't it?
Yep! We all got to deal with our own issues. The priviledge of her being a white woman ALLOWS her to shut down and limit her access to experiences to be confronted. The worst part Black can't ever escape it...we are always confronted with it. Ain't that some S*&^$!
Post a Comment
<< Home