Post-Racial America doesn't and will never exist because America created the concept of race, racism, and white supremacy from the transatlantic slave trade. How can it be post-racial when it was built on and continues to profit from the division of power provided by race and racism?
This is a pipe dream created by white people...who have no concept of race and racism to begin with...and black Americans fell for the bait.
I like Pharell and his music and his influence, but to give up being "black" for being American is a pipe dream. We wanted to, but the rest of America doesn't want to and it's so obvious.
Yeah I really have to word this carefully. What I mean is that race will always exist there is no denying that, but if black Americans were to assimilate, the hardship brought by those in authority on African Americans will reduce. I know your going to be wondering what I am talking about but hear me out for a sec. If we use this opportunity to compare the plight of Blacks and Asians/Indians In america we can have a clearer picture.
A lot of asians/indians in america have in a sense assimilated. Not culturally per say but in terms of mindset. Many of them have learnt to put aside the mentality of I am asian/indian and proud of that and we will do things our own way regardless and will oppose whatever stands in our way and have instead adopted a more mainstream/non confrontational way of thinking. This has of course led to Asians butting heads with mainstream America far less frequently when compared with blacks.
The benefits they have received is more stability in society and greater wealth concentration when compared to African Americans. Though one must remember there is always an opportunity cost. The opportunity cost is Asians/Indians have been made into the invincible minority. They are seen as non threatening in the eyes of mainstream America. Their men are seen as weak and their women are seen as submissive. White america truly does not have respect for Asians/Indians. This mentality has even spread globally. It is the reason Hollywood will feel comfortable making a movie where a white male goes to Asia, defeats all the Asian warriors and gets the Asian girl. ( Sound familiar?)
When it comes to blacks in America and globally, we have always had more of a rebellious attitude towards white owned establishments. It is the reason why blacks globally are in such porous conditions. From the civil rights movement to the black panther party and to the rise of Pan African-ism on the African continent we have always clashed with mainstream western society. One can even look at our music. From Hip hop to reggae, to JuJu music e.t.c, we have made our own beats pushed it as our own and plotted our own way. Even when it comes to standards of beauty. The kind of women the average black man likes is not what mainstream america pushes. (Funny thing about standards of beauty. I read in many places in Pre-colonial Africa, the darker the woman's complexion the more beautiful she was regarded as.)
That whole mentality as you can see is a threat to western society and white supremacy. Again the opportunity cost blacks have received is more of hardship and instability. Black men are seen as dangerous and savage. Black women are seen as masculine and unladylike . We are basically seen as the opposite of Asians. When it comes to whites they are placed in the middle, not to weak and not savage like black men and in regards to the women, white women are seen as not too submissive and not too masculine. These is basically how the world works.
Now what someone like Pharrell is actually saying when he says we should stop seeing our blackness is to conform to mainstream Americas ideals. He thinks we should do away with the rebellious nature we as blacks have. No more Im Black and proud, no more having a standard of beauty that puts black women solely at the top. Now if we adopt this mentality worldwide I could see some stability coming for blacks, but we end up going the same route as asians/indians. We will be seen as weak and non threatening and our women will be seen as weak, submissive and ladylike.
So either way we still lose. The funny thing Pharell does not realize is that the rebellious culture of blacks is what has made blacks so popular globally and in turn has made his voice heard.
Side note: Whats terrifying is I am seeing a newer generation of blacks with pharells mindset. A growing amount of young black men pride themselves on being as non threatening to whites as possible and a growing amount of black women are acting submissive to whites as well. One does not need to look far when you read some of these books by some black women talking about how to get a white man/Asian man. They always talk about black women having to act non threatening and being submissive. While black males go as far as to do their best Carlton Banks impression to be accepted into white society and get their beckys. Very sad indeed.
I hate the color blind post-racial society rhetoric, just gives white people more ammunition to call racism when we air out legit grievances that were cultivated from the time we arrived here in shackles. Entertainers like him get rich and loose touch with the black experience then have the nerve to act like they speak for the majority of black folk. Bruh just shut up and stick to making music. Not surprised Oprah let him talk that nonsense without calling him out on it. They're both on that bullshyt to be honest they don't want to stir up any controversy that might have them at odds with the majority of people in the crowd.
