Be Careful What you Answer Too

One of the great topics that is never really addressed is the labeling we tend to subscribe to when we are speaking verbally. Recently during one of my classes the description of students was very disheartening and disturbing to me. The person described these students as marginalized and even said that it was clear what students she was speaking about. When I addressed the comment the individual begin to believe I made some inaccurate assumptions about her in fact she went on to say that she was part of the marginalized group.

Now those of you who know me, will understand how that thang didn't sit in my soul well. I begin to question who was this person really describing and why did she feel that this was an accurate account of how we should describe ourselves and especially our students.

It is a know fact that black people experience oppression, marginalization, racism, socioeconomic apartheid, police brutality, victim blaming, victim shaming, low wage racism, red lining , housing discrimination, stereotyping, blindspotting, gaslighting, misrepresentation, educational racism, lack of access, and low expectations to name a few. With the list ever growing. It can be more than overwhelming to some but to black people it is our way of life and it is ever changing and ever growing. We are given so many names and titles until one can losses themselves within the different labels but have you ever asked yourself why are there so many different titles and labels?

Let's look at other races for example there has never been a need to rebrand who they are for example you have never heard Asian or Chinese people being identified as people of color? You have never heard white people identified as people of color but when grouping is part of the capitalistic approach you will hear these terms identified for blacks. It is a mechanism to include blacks in a group that has never identified themselves as black or Afrikan. Latino people seldom claim their connection to Afrikans, Native people seldom claim their connection to Afrikan people in fact there is a distinguished difference between Afrikan and Afrikan-American but overall this group of people are considered as one no matter where you are in the world, your race is considered as black or Afrikan thus the term people of color shouldn't make a difference but it does to those who want to identify with the labels given by those who will never allow their culture or heritage to be hijacked and rebranded more importantly we should ask ourselves why are we so comfortable with this rebranding.

No one is refuting that oppression happens, no one is rejecting that black people especially students are marginalized however; why should we embrace these terms when speaking about ourselves or students. You will seldom hear white individuals speak on their race in a negative manner just to point out that the discrimination exist. Who in this world is unclear that disparities exist? Are we looking for validation from other groups or do we need these groups to acknowledge their actions when we promote their terms. One of the greatest ills in our society is allowing someone else to name and brand you and what's even worse you respond to this name. We have been called many things over the decades but when we begin to answer to these titles we begin to allow our culture and heritage to fade into the black without even acknowledging how it hinders the community.

Of course those of you who would like to adopt these names you certainly have the right to do so but keep in mind simply because I find fault with the rebranding does not mean that I need to ascribe to your logic, we simply disagree. But I do want you to ask yourself, what happens when they run out of names? If we took a historical look we have been rebranded since our existence. We have been given names that are so politically correct until we are now given names and titles to appease other groups. Reminding the so called dominate culture that we are oppressed and marginalized in my opinion gives them power to continue. No one is confused (except those who ascribe to this logic) that the dominant culture is always on a mission to remain in power and even seek more power, they are just crafty how they accomplish this task.

If I can get you to believe that you only exist in the groups I place you in then I can get you to believe that part of your rich traditions, culture, and heritage did not exist. If I can get you to overlook or even replace your history with terms that exclude who you are then I can get you to ascribe to my way of thinking and isn't that the goal of branding? To get one to ascribe to their way of thinking.

Here's the reality. Haven't we been branded enough. All throughout history we have been given names and taken on these names to allow for what we deem is progression. where is the growth in continuing to call us marginalized? (they know), oppressed? (they know). It only fuels the theory that we can call them anything and they adopt it and in many cases promote the rebrand. I'd like to believe that my ancestors who made the greatest sacrifice to justify our existence did not do so simply to make others feel good about themselves.

We don't need to continue to answer to titles that do not characterize our true existence. We can't say we come from greatness when we continue to allow negative terms to describe who and what we are. Afterall, if you continue to repeat the titles one will start to believe them. The Honorable Dr. Carter G. Woodson stated it best "If you can control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his action. When you determine what a man shall think you do not have to concern yourself about what he will do. If you make a man feel inferior, you do not have to compel him to accept an inferior status, for he will seek it himself. If you make a man think that he is justly an outcast, you do not have to order him to the back door. He will go without being told; and if there is no back door his very nature will demand one."

It's time to stop allowing control over our thinking and please be careful what you answer to.

I invite you to Aspire to Inspire