Speak on it!- "Ian" and "Issac" say that Blacks are still shiftless, lazy and culturally deficient! A response.

In reading for my class I came across an impactful conversation  It was found in a book entitled Racism Without Racists by Eduardo Bonilla Silva.  The book discusses the concept of colorblind racism: a position that argues that a less subtle and covert form of racism exists in today's post racial society.  This racism is even more dangerous as it operates under the guise of liberalism, perceived equality and racial neutrality.  The author supports his claim by presenting transcripts of focus groups and interviews conducted to learn more about the ideas and attitudes that White Americans (college students and middle aged adults) hold about racism, race relations, racial policy, in post “racial” America.   

Context: Issac (a white engineer in his mid fifties) and Ian ( a manager at an information security company share their thoughts/responses to the differences in overall standing of Blacks and Whites with regard to personal and  professional success.  Issac believes that few Blacks have the education necessary to succeed in the field of Engineering and life. 

"Interviewer: So you feel maybe there’s a lack of interest in education that Black people have?

Issac: They want to get a short cut to make money.  There’s no urgency to get education.  They want to make, to get money faster than Whites.  They don’t want to take the time to get educated, they want to get money fast.

Interviewer : So they also don’t put the time into developing their educational skills?

Issac: Yeah  the way you learn, the way you grow, is the way you become…. Right now I think our minorities are lazy. They don’t have the patience to keep going."

Ian responded similarly

 “ The majority of’em just don’t strive to do anything, to make themselves better.  Again, I’ve seen that all the way through.  “ If I do this today, I’m fine, I’m happy with it, I don’t need anything better.” Never, never, never striving or givng extra to make themselves better.”   

 When asked if he thought that the races were naturally different Ian believe that culturally Black people are deficient, socialized to be lazy and slothful . He states”….then you kinda look at the Blacks’ situation.. Its like { they say} “Well, because of slavery, I ought to be given this for nothing, so I don’t have to work for it, just give it to me.  So culture and their upbringing is a big part of this."

 These quotes are just… I mean honestly, I found myself blinking at the page...

like REALLY?  

I mean as a woman of color in academia, I believed that individuals held the sentiments expressed below, but to see them in Black and White really made me feel a way.  The words sent a wave of emotion through me.  I went from disappointment, to anger, to disgust at this sense of defeat and helplessness that crept in.  I found myself thinking things like “I knew it” and “ No matter what we do/how hard we work, this is just the way things are.”  Then I considered the reality that many students are conditioned to believe this about themselves.  And unfortunately, they lack the resources and role models to tell them otherwise.  Then thankfully, my thought pattern changed.

Reading this quote today was so timely and appropriate given the stage of my life I’m navigating.  I’m facing a major roadblock on my own journey to the PhD and will admit that I’ve grown frustrated with the system.  But now, at the risk of totally sounding like a UNCF infomercial, my mission is clear.  The fact is many people still share Issac & Ian’s sentiments. They may be high school/college students, professors, administrators, advisors, counselors and they, like Issac/Ian, he/she will likely say or do something ignorant that could potentially stifle the hopes and shoot the dreams of a Black or Brown young person seeking to further his/her education.  This has happened to me personally and many of classmates as well.  Perhaps some of you reading this right now will agree.   As a scholar seeking to continue to be an advocate for students of color in college/graduate school it is my job to see to it that all students, regardless of their race, class, SES, hometown, educational background etc. have the tools to realize their academic and professional goals. 

 I’m sharing these quotes with you, not to vilify Issac and Ian or make them“the enemy.”  Honestly, they are just a product of the culture that raised/socialized them.    I just want to raise awareness of all students of color,  and share that you may face these very attitudes along your academic/professional journeys.   When it does happen it is ok to react.  Naturally you will want to speak up/defend yourself.  But please, don’t let it stop there. Challenge yourself to think critically about the situation, process it and respond in a manner that will not only negate/nullify these unfounded biases and prejudices but will prove those who possess them wrong for years to come.I would love to hear your thoughts and reactions to the quotes.  Please SPEAK on it.  Leave a comment  below or send me an email. I’d love to hear from you.