Why is it always about Race?

Why is it always about Race? Why is this a reflex statement? What about the "thing" that creates that reflex? WHY IS IT ABOUT RACE? Is this just a contemplative inquiry? Ironically, the black man asks that too. 

To do an internet search for the best actors and actresses of the 1970s, only one African American person shows up within the first 20; that one person was Cicely Tyson. Why? Were there no recognized talented thespians within the Race? Were not we given key roles, same casting opportunities, and treated equally? Why is it always about Race. How about searching for the best businessmen and women? What do you think the result was? ...Were not there recognized talented businesspeople within the Race. Were not we afforded opportunities to earn key business roles, recognized for our talents, treated equally, given the same opportunities? Should I go on...? Should I ask the age-old question? Why is it about Race? How do I answer that question today in 2021? Much less attempt to answer it as a teenager of the '70s. The answer is complexed, but the question is not. 

Again! Recently, I was asked that DAMN question- "Why is it always about Race?"  Milliseconds after hearing the question, I wanted to respond.  However, hearing it today touched me differently.  So I paused time to dig deep for an answer.  What I didn't hide was a facial reaction, which spoke volumes. Eye rolls, a squinch of the eyebrows, and astonishment gave off the physical appearance of realizing that we are still at this place. All while gathering myself in that split second and retracting back to that familiar chameleon...  Letting it roll off the shoulder.  Now that I've thought about it, I'm responding.  I am going to answer the damn question... "why?"

Let me give context while attempting to stitch together my reasoning for my answer to "why."  As eclectic as my backstory is, it leads to a conviction. This will be a long explanation, but at least I'll get it off my chest, and maybe someone will get it and understand the "why" from my perspective. 

I attended a university in Idaho. Yes, you read it correctly, Idaho. The black population in the state at the time was approximately 2600 or 2%. Within the city of Boise, there were less than 900 African Americans. The Aryan Nation took up residency in the 1970s in Northern Idaho and travel south to the campus for visits/lectures once per year. If there was a progressive city within the state during those times, it was Boise. Race data was hard to capture (compared to today) related to today's census. The city of Mountain Home, 30 miles outside of Boise, hosted a military base. The university was increasing in popularity nationwide due to the sports programs, specifically football.  Insert the question - "Why did you pick Boise?".  ...and I respond - "same reason you may have picked it, for the opportunity."

Coming from Oakland, Ca, was a monumental shift in surroundings, both visually and geographically. The snow-capped mountains and the brisk mountain air afforded me an immediate opportunity to consistently wear my first parka. I already had a sweater or two, and the new combination made the weather transition somewhat smooth. What was harder was the adoption of the community. As nice as most people were, it was a significant adjustment to the lack of people of color. Life was so different in Boise, Idaho, as compared to the neighborhoods and schools back home. Young and a teenager 721 miles from Oakland, living on campus hard mentally. 18 combined with homesickness became a familiar feeling, short flashbacks of family far away consistently strengthen the thought of home and escape. Mainly during that first semester. Oakland seemed to be going through it too. There was an exit plan happening in real-time. A revolving door of the likes of an ethnic turnstile was taking place. As astonishing as it was, diversity, although vast, it slightly began to diminish as white people started to leave and move into some of the surrounding bay area suburbs. 

During a typical stream of consciousness in a regular conversation, the last thing I think of is an ethnic category. Let me clarify. My conversations are not segmented verbally by ethnicity. Subconsciously I am aware of black America's plight and subconsciously gratified upon black achievement in any form. This shows up in daily life when we acknowledge each other with a head-knob or a verb gesture, "what's up - How you doin my man." As if to say, "I see you," "you've done us good," or "keep it up." Today's giddiness for giving compliments to my people probably stems from being a pre-teen child of the '60s. Positive images of African Americans within media were minimal—having to hang on the limb of a short clip, stories from parents, family members, and parents' friends. Visualizing success and black achievements through those stories became engrained and hopeful. What doubled as black exclusion was that we felt the fight and knew the achievements as both muted outside. We knew our role models, but you did not. Much like the underground railroad, the pathway of information traveled from adult to adult and ultimately to us, the children. What little media we had access to only confirmed the stories I already told. Even then, the portrayal was not as complimentary as my traveled stories were. To be seen was to wear plenty of lashes, struggles, sacrifices, and perseverance. 

Race as a categorizing term referring to human beings. The word was said to be first used in the 16th century. By the 18th century, Race was widely used to sort and rank the peoples in the English colonies—Europeans who saw themselves as free people, Amerindians who had been aggressively and unfairly conquered, and Africans brought in as slave labor; this usage of Race continues today. 

Race tends to force us to look at a person along with his/her color. But does it? Let us take a step back! For many years, I have worked in Silicon Valley and have never experienced an event, majority white, use the term "Race" or asked the question - "why" is it about Race? Did Race play a part in silicon valley's success? No! Why? Because the classification of Race implies ethnic separation. However, there was not much Race separation due to the lack of Race participation. "Race" was never called out. If it were, it was only about the need for diversity/Race. EEO reports that black men and women make up less than 1.8% participation amongst approximately 177 companies within the corridor. Need I say more? 

We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Washington's Birthday, Columbus Day, and Thanksgiving. However, have you ever heard a person of color ask, "Why is it about Race?" -when discussing one of the calendar days? Aren't most of those holidays about Race, or are they? It seems that that question only comes up when the calendar change includes the celebration of people of color, specifically the 70's debate over February as Black History month or years of debate of designating MLK a federal holiday. 

I have grown through those arguments, and this shit is exhausting.  So why is it always about Race?

So why is it about Race? Because you made it about Race. Because we now have a chance to celebrate openly, society owes us this right. In a way, we are cashing in because we can. We see this new and unrestricted era being suitable for strengthening the stitches that should be holding us together but divided us due to "Race." It is about us too, Black folks saying -we knew it all alone! Our success is no secret. Words of that success traveled underground from adult to adult, then to us children. We have arrived now, and we are no longer underground. We are going to talk about it loudly. It is about us saying look, and look closely - we made profound contributions, struggled, strived, helped, built, succeeded, were successful, persevered, and now we are here. 

That's why.

Swagger or Swagga...Either way, he has it !!!

I'm about to talk to you like I talk to my boys! You all know what I'm talking about.

Does the boy have swagger or what? He's got a little sumthin sumthin going on. He's got that "What" behind him. He's got that "Yeah" "Yeeeeah" with his walk. Can you imagine the conversations he must have with his boys? It might go something like this.

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His boy – Do you feel like the man B?

Pres B – I do. I'm just doing what I do. You feel me?

His boy – I feel you. But does it get hard when you get attacked from the front, the back, and every other direction?

Pres B- C'mon man! It's been hard for us from day one if you're looking at it from that perspective. I don't see it any worse than growing up with an assumptive target on my back. You know that target. The target of people saying that I'm going to fail, he's from a broken home, so he's definitely going to fail, blah blah blah. Listen, I'm trying to change the game. I can now affect the game, and more importantly, I'm going to keep my word. And if you think it's cocky, then it's what it is. I look at it as being confident with what I do and how I do it.

His boy – I hear ya bra!

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Ok. I took some creative liberty on the dialog, but I believe that that's how it goes. President Obama has that Swagger. He also has the "IT" thing too. However, I'll talk about the "IT" thing in my next blog (Not everyone has the "IT" factor) because only a few have that "IT" factor. Ali had "IT.," Lena Horne had "IT.," Ella Fitzgerald had "IT," Joe Namath had "IT," Dr. King had "IT," Jordan has "IT." Denzel has "IT," Collin Powell has "IT," Tom Brady has "IT"…and come on, you know Bill Clinton has "IT." Again, we'll handle the "IT" factor in my next blog.

Let's talk a little bit about swagger.

Swagger – Definition: Swaggering manner, conduct, or walk; ostentatious display of arrogance and conceit

The swagger is not over-rated, and a lot of people have it. I say that because in my community growing up, it was prevalent. While playing sports, it was so prevalent that you wanted to sometimes knock it out the person who had it because sometimes they couldn't back it up. I certainly recognize it when it's in my face; I think we all do. We all talk about these people. I'm not sure if you need substance, credibility, or a track record for success, but you need confidence. Having said that, President Obama has the substance, credibility, and track record to back it up (at least he has that somthin somthin that allows us to think that he has all of that).

Let me give you an example of some people in the media that has that swagger. Kanya West, Puffy, Lil Wayne, Britney Spears, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Beyonce, Kid Rock, just to name a few…you get my point, right? Some are worthy of the swagger, and some aren't.

President Obama is certainly worthy of the swagger. I can really identify with him and how he conducts himself in public. It's a trip how easy it is to recognize the ways of another brotha in oneself. I notice how he addresses the common folk, politicians, and international partners. He invites them in. I see him being inclusive in many as many cases. Inclusive seemed to be a natural gesture within my community growing up. I recall always being able to expand friendships and gatherings based on including all who were present, who may have been Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, etc. They all were welcome. This was especially true with my parents and parent's friends. Thus, I see that thing in President Obama, that inclusive thing.

That swagger he has is just how he rolls (stealing a phrase from the younger generation). My man even got his swerve going-on when he walks down the step of Air Force One. C'mon…you'll know exactly what I'm talking about! Democrats, Republicans, Independents, whatever your party affiliation, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Am I to conservative or are my kids too liberal?

I live less than two miles away from my boy’s high school. The area has a meager crime rate, and I make a weekly comment to friends saying that “my kids just don’t realize how lucky they have it.” The comment actually is made during the Friday night football games, to which I'm often reminded of the TV series Friday Night Lights. These games feel like a mini college game, and the camaraderie is second to none. The community support is over the top, and the fans are amazing. All-in-all this environment is really cool. The days around here have been beautiful, with temperatures ranging from 68 to 74 degrees (… and it’s the fall!). On the weekends I’ve been riding my bike and jogging lately. I want you to keep in mind that I tend to be a fair-weather runner, and the past couple of weekends have been wonderful. Oh yeah! One more thing! This morning as I dropped my guys off at school today, one of them mentioned that over half of the kids (high school kids) get dropped off and picked-up. I only say this to set up the big issue. Plastered in the hillside of redwood trees, large ranch homes, and every high-end sports car imaginable is the 100-year-old school with very high academic standards. I often say that it reminds me of a mini college because of the student body and the traditions that have been carried from class to class. Most kids aren’t bogged down with the latest in trendy clothing fashions, but the ones who are doing it with flair—$ 200 pairs of jeans, high-end tennis shoes, and the latest in Channel purses. The students' cars are rolling across the parking lots with 20-inch rims and a combination of numbers and letters on the side of the trunk that classifies the foreign car's style. For those who don’t go foreign, they are strapped with the domestic four-wheel drive and the newer SUV’s. No valley talk here, just good old American spoiled kids. But let me say this! Most are good kids, and it’s nice not to be impacted by gangs, rife-raffs, etc.….. I appreciate this opportunity that is afforded to my kids. It is certainly fortunate to not be forced to send them to a private school and that this area has the academic foundation that it has. I’m also thankful that I can provide a sense of materialistic glee to my kids too. It’s nice to buy some of those things that I didn’t have growing up (but some of those things just didn’t matter either). I try to stress value amongst my kids. My theme is that they have to create an environment that they give and have full participation in and bring their best self to that place. To be frank, this is how value with teenagers look to me: chores, helping around the house without being asked, being mindful of others, using manners to all at all times, being humble, and just doing the right thing in all situations. I also subscribe to the laissez-faire system of government/parents. There is no free lunch, and that everyone should at some point in their childhood growth era learn the work reward system. This applies towards a job and a paycheck and towards grades in school, athletic endeavors, and allowance. Now enough of the background stuff…here's the bottom-line. My kids think that they should be picked up and dropped off every day at school. I ask them and tell them (whenever I drive them to school, my wife drives them most of the time) that they should walk! Especially during these great days that we are having. The instant feedback I get from them are grumbles, mumbles, and eyebrow raise. For some reason, they don’t get it! So am I too old school conservative, or are they entitlement kids, with liberal attitudes? Hummmmmm...

Yeah I said it!

When does everyone stop blaming President Bush for everything? Yeah…I said it! And Yeah, I’m talking to you! Matter-of-fact, I believe that half of the people don’t even know what they are complaining about. Yeah, I said it! Half the people just hear other people and or the media complain about “how President Bush destroyed the economy and or the US's foreign appeal. After hearing the negative complaints, they go and act on it by telling their friends and or the other political party members about what they heard. Now, let me ask you this! Specifically, how are you and your household impacted by Bush’s reign as President? How were your friends impacted? Do you think that it would have been different or worse with Kerry? Do you even know?

Here is my bet. In most cases, half don’t really know, the other quarter wasn’t really affected, and the last quarter can't actually measure the adverse effect. Needless to say, most are looking for a spiritual lift and are not looking inward on leveraging the opportunity to build from within their circle of influence (Household, volunteering, friends, and family). It will take more than just a new president! We need to create a sense of urgency and empowerment to lift up all of the proclaimed doubt and turmoil. I kept hearing “no more eight years” during the presidential campaign! Now, we/I can personally say, “This is a new start”! However, I/we can’t say it if it really isn’t a new start! And how do I/we know it is a fresh start if I/we can’t address “personally” what went wrong during the old new start!

Yeah, I said it!