"Reprensentation of Whiteness in the Black Imagination," by Bell Hooks argues that the common conception of equality and sameness within our society today are sqewed towards the white power structure. If a Black person was asked, according to Hooks, what their feelings on the issue of sameness according to skin color, they would say that there is a high difference. Hooks brings it so far to say that, "to name whiteness in the black imagination is often a representation of terror" (pg.172). Hooks also mentions that many Black folk will put on sortof a mask or amulet to hide their real feelings towards white people. This is because white people have become so accustomed to this idea that we are all equal and the same that anything else would just be wrong. It is so bad that most Black people have to put this mask on so as to not anger the "power" of the white people. Again, it seems that many white people go through life without recognizing that many Black people have to act like this (yet again according to Hooks).
Ok, so maybe it is just because I didn't get the whole article, but I think this was true in most aspects, yet was a little dated. The first thing that came to mind was the whole idea that white people are lame. This is something that I actually developed more just by watching Chappelle's Show. That show pretty much says everything that Hooks said, but puts it into a satrical fashion, so maybe it goes below the radar.
This short clip is one in which a white family has the last name of a common slang against Black people. Funny yes, but do we white people actually understand the messages around this? Has anything really changed by making fun of the aukwakrd social interactions?
clips taken from youtube
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