Reparations

I have been asked the question of whether or not I believe the United States should give African Americans reparations for their enslavement a couple centuries ago, and for the laws that kept their race segregated and initially inferior for the color of their skin. I have been asked this many times, and I feel that it is hard to answer this question with a correct answer. So I will attempt to give a profound opinion other than yes or no.
With the knowledge I have accumulated over my lifespan of 20 years, I do not today believe we should give reparations to all Black people living in the United States today because I do not think money and or tangible things are the type of currency that should be used in order to aid past and present racism and pay back for the cruelty our ancestors bestowed upon Black people. Inevitably in our world, these reparations will get old, and racism I believe will still prevail. What I have seen today are programs out there to help minorites of all different colors to better themselves, no matter the hinderance of their past. Welfare is one system, however the problem with welfare is that it rewards people for not working. What I think is intersting is looking back to the 1600's, people living in West Africa had the same values, education, family dynamics as we have today, however slavery in America has today created this idea of how a Black person should be, act, wear their clothing, speak. So how has throwing money at a problem ( like the US has done for everything-for example reparations for Native Americans) made a difference or created equality in human beings living in the US? I believe the problem is innate, and for African Americans to finally be seen as just human beings, and not people who had ancestors long ago that were slaves of white people, it is going to take a change of family values in their homes, and the ability to see that they are human beings, and have every right and ability to suceed in this country and the world as any other race or person. That is why I do not believe we should give reparations any longer, because it is just throwing money at a problem that will never be fixed unless the people who wish to better themselves stand up and say that they will no longer go down the same path expecting different results.

The Power of Symbols

Symbols are everywhere and are used to understand everything. In all reality, it makes no diffrence if a symbol is appealing based on appearence. The only thing that matters is the symbolism. For example, I am not Jewish. I would admit that the two over lapping triangles to make the Star of David looks rather cool. However, I know that it represents a certain belief in faith and it is used to shrink down the complexities of Judaism to a simple symbol. That being said, I would never represent this cool looking sign because of my personal beliefs.

Same principle with the cross and how it represents the coming of the son of "God" and that he died for our sins. The list can go on forever.

What is the difference between a non-believer representing faith signs and "non-racists" representing the Confederate flag? It makes no difference if in one's own mind, different meanings are created. What do certain signs mean to the majority of the population? Where do signs originate from and what is its purpose? This is what people have to be accountable for and before any symbols are represented, people have to understand what interpretations are going to be made by the people observing.

Something Real

The media may have something to do with that, but why not focus of what is real. Back in the day, N.W.A rapped about how it is hard to be black in America and the real shit going on in their lives. Now days all I feel I am hearing is fake bull shit. Instead of embracing the stereotypes to make a little money, why not talk about the reality of things and use that voice to create a movement? That is the only way things will change for the better.

It is as if some of todays rappers portray that the gang life is the only way to get ahead anymore. It is thought of as lucky if some of these gang members live to thirty. I'm sorry, but how the hell is that getting ahead? What good is money when you are dead?

I am only saying, the greatest and most powerful black speakers of all times never said do whatever it takes to make money, he said something along the lines of holding hands and keep walking.

Friday's class

I was thinking about class today and how we were talking about the negative stereotypes for African Americans. I thought there was a good point made about the rap industry and how there are black males rapping about shooting people, slapping hoes, etc. and I believe the main reason there are so many negative stereotypes is because of our media. People listen to rap music and hear all those negative stereotypes so therefore they believe them, and even with our news media, 90% of the time when we hear of a crime committed, it is committed by an African American. Because our media is relaying these negative stereotypes, we subconsciously begin to believe them.

I thought it was funny in the first chapter of the Ronald Takaki book when he is riding in the cab and the driver asks him how long he has lived in America and Takaki replies by saying all his life. This has happened to me so many times. I was born in South Korea and adopted when I was about six months old so I have spent just about my entire life here in America. I get so many other sorts of questions from people. Just last Thanksgiving a women I work with looked to me and said, "do you parents ever make your kind of food for thanksgiving?" I looked at her confused for a second because I did not know what she meant. When I realized she what she was asking I just said no. I have never actually eaten Korean food in my entire life. I also have hadpeople ask me if I'm going back home (meaning Korea) for the holidays, people have commented on my excellent english and I have even gotten some questions concerning my parents. Many people think that just because I'm Korean, my parents are. They are actually German. I also get a lot of comments about how I must be good at math or good with computers. I just find it funny to see how people often assume so many things about you just based on your race.

Item From Fox News

I was in the lounge the other day getting some reading done and one of the TVs happened to be turned to Fox News. They ran down a few stories and the last one caught my ear. The anchor said (translated as close as I can recall), "In the wake of the Obama presidency, do minority children now have an excuse to not fail?"

I don't expect a lot out of Fox News; The have a base and they pander to it. But I had to wonder why this stuck in my head. I believe the main reason is the blatant use of racism to try and hook a surfing viewer. As a white man, am I supposed to stop when I hear them ask that question and say "Yeah! Those [insert your favorite racial slur]s don't have any excuse now! Let's see what their excuses are now!"

It reminds me of our reading and how labels were used to make an entire people into savages. Only in this case, its painting them as lazy people who are all this time refused to succeed. But now there's a black president watch out because now all you lazy colored people have to start working harder.

Instead of celebratingthis historic milestone they've turned it into a way to divide us.

What are your thoughts?

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