Growing up with a white Dad

Representation Matters

Stories are important. Stories propel humanity further. Heroes and villains, right and wrong, reality and absurdity. As a species we communicate lessons through the method of storytelling. In the modern world those who tell stories, and create media have the power of changing perception.

In 2018 we have the luxury of smart phones which can create media and stories instantly. Smart phones are so incredible and so intertwined with society that it’s hard to remember life before them. There are incredible, outrageous, amazing things happening around us every day. We are so inundated with incredible things we take most of them for granted. I don’t stop and think how amazing my phone is every day. Under the same vein I never realized how important representation is to self-esteem.

The fact that black people are not always positively portrayed within media is a well-known fact. If you are any minority you can understand the effects of negative representation. Constantly seeing people who look like you being portrayed as stereotypes or jokes can be damaging. After constant reminders with t.v. shows and movies where people with your skin color are bad the message becomes clear.

Being biracial and growing up in the 90s I never saw anyone who looked like me. I didn’t even have negative representation, I had no representation. There were little to no characters who resembled me.

Things are much different now and people of all color around the world have access to tools to create media. We can all tell our stories and more importantly it’s necessary for us to do so as a species. While consuming media it is also necessary to acknowledge the effect of said media.

Be diligent in selecting what media you wish to consume, the stories you carry with you, are a part of you…they are you. The stories you have committed to memory shape you.

We are witnessing an era where storytellers of all ages, races,  and nationalities can tell their tales from a variety of platforms. Diversity fosters creativity and positivity.

Popular Culture is Black Culture

Right now the most untrendy thing to be is white and rich. Unlike every other singular time period in history there are actual drawbacks to being a wealthy white person during this current juncture in time.

The world is stirking back against those in power and possessing privelege. Donald Trump and his image of white privelege accompanied by corporate nepotism and large-scale handouts has infuriated less fortunate and priveleged Americans.

Rich white kids are now dressing down in rags and wearing street fashion emulating black celebrities because being black is what's popular.

Diversity is in, and it's hip to be poor because being poor is more relatable to the majority of America than vast riches at this point. Social media is dominated by diverse individuals who inseminate the world with snippets and slices of black culture.

On Reddit there is a subReddit called Black People Twitter which is heavily frequented by white people.

The internet is driving new trends and steering culture in a new direction. Hip-Hop is now blending with Pop music, slang is commonplace even in corporate or professional settings.

Young impressionable minds in this country look up  to the The Rock, Cardi B, and Migos. Black people have received far more favorable representation than whites within the last five years.

I don't see a reversal to this trend within 2018 and beyond as more people of color infiltrate positions of power and drive media and culture.

No offense, but are you BLACK?!

Today I'm going to discuss a concept that I have run across frequently. This notion is alive and well and has been present in society for at least the last 5-10 years. Below is a picture of me from today. I got a new phone and wanted to check the camera

Hmm what's your nationality?

I am bombarded with questions on what my ethnicity is. I don't mind the questions because I acknowledge that I am racially ambiguous. Even earlier today at work, one of my supervisors after learning I can speak Spanish approached. She said "Henry what's your nationality?"

I replied I'm a red-blooded American, but my ethnicity is Half Irish and Half Black. She told me she thought I could have been Italian. I learned a lesson on not to judge others as well because my supervisor is mixed and also speaks Spanish and upon learning she knew Spanish I immediately assumed she was Puerto Rican or Dominican. 

This encounter was completely respectful and through our conversation, we gained a newfound mutual respect and understanding for one another. 

What I cannot tolerate any longer is people guessing my race and saying "No offense but are you black?" The mindset behind the statement says that it is offensive to be black. I don't want to offend you by this ghastly association sir but are you possibly African American?

Fuck Yes I am. I'll say it loud and say it proud! I am Black, 50 percent to be exact. Being Black is nothing to be ashamed of. I've never had anyone say to me in 26 years "No offense are you Irish?" 

The perception of being Black is that it sucks and is something abnormal. The US has made being Black something strange and weird, when that couldn't be further from the truth.

I know this was somewhat of a ran but in the future if you are curious about a person's ethnicity be respectful, and if you suspect they might be Black as long as they don't have self-hatred and you are not a racist there's nothing to take offense to.