The Study of Racialism

MrSolo

As U.S. society and the World for that matter move ahead full steam into the 21st century - like it or not, everyday life is still pretty much impacted by skin color.

When I was a child, my father used to tell me that “one day - society, success, conflict and virtually everything else that matters will be defined by the progress of the haves and the have nots.” As it turns out, that wasn’t exactly correct. Intra-ethnic/race [for a better use of the term] colorism (i.e., skin color affinity) has lately emerged as the real 800-pound gorilla and sooner or later, it may consume the entire psyche and rationale of the American cultural perspective. In particular, the parlayed U.S. SIB (Self Identifying Black) constituency; a sometimes hostile group to say the least.

By definition, virtually no one is literally black in color, though some can get pretty close to it. With black being a context and not a vice, many who hail from the darker-skinned side of the so-called “African American” base (i.e., those from well beyond the “brown paper bag” inference) have taken it upon themselves to disparage those of us who are lighter in complexion, and of mixed and/or interracial heritage and background.

Some of these people are pro-black denizens of yesteryear who have taken it upon themselves to refer to those of lighter skin complexions as mongrels and worse. These culturally and identity deprived warriors of an aimless cause are only isolating themselves into an ever-shrinking corner of self-denigrating hatred of their own existence. Their inability to effectively control the perspective of others frequently leads them into a state of ballistic insanity. Perhaps they may be scared of something more likely: the possible and emerging de facto separation of the so-called American black community as a whole.

Whether it be facial features, hair texture, eye color, physique, socioeconomic status, educational level, professional accomplishment, intellect and the like, by no fault of ours – skin color “is” the defining and prevailing factor and it will continue to be for quite some time to come. Right or wrong, those of lighter complexion by default are assimilating into a colorless (but not color blind) society, leaving behind those who have been distinctly marked at birth in mind, body and spirit.

Enter the so-called African American movement. In my opinion – and by no sense of the imagination, a power grab by those who seek to mandate the 1/32-One Drop Rule and better (i.e., the “black once, black forever” crowd; the adverse of the white Caucasian insinuation). Sometimes, these hostiles seem to be devoid of any sense of rationale and appear to have an aversion to meaningful information, facts and common sense. What is it with this constituency, who has virtually hijacked the “Africa” out of Africa? Speak to any Sub Saharan African and they will tell you that the only real African Americans are continentals from their motherland, and not these domestic chameleons who take issue with being called Negro, Negress, Afro-American, colored, black, etc., but demand to be called such under the right conditions.

Some might say that the birth of the African American movement was promoted to be a symbol of unification. Others might say that it was orchestrated by pro-continentals and certain high-profile members of the so-called African American national leadership solely to impede the exodus (of those of non-distinct, less or partial black African heritage) from the black American “state”. What’s rather interesting about these two observations is that the darker-skinned contingent of “black” America has been know to quickly embrace their lighter-skinned counterparts for marriage, companionships, professional association, guidance, advice, progress and much more. Others even profess that this embrace is merely trophy hunting, especially in the case of dark-skinned black men choosing light-skinned women as their mates. That could be arguable – maybe, but naught. Oh the irony.

Without solution, the two sides of this equation may well come to loggerheads over what has become an entrenched battle of ideology, emotion, indifference and humility. The erosion of the core of traditional black American affinity will continue unabated, regardless of the best intentions put forth to halt that circumstance. As those of darker complexion try even harder to prevent the complete assimilation of others into the mainstream, they will be met with a level of frustration and resistance the likes that they have never witnessed before.