In my other blog, My Problem With Feminists, I talked about my issues with some feminists, I think that some (not nearly all,) come across in a way that makes you not want to be a feminist, not want to be a woman. Now, when I talked about my racial issues, I think I have more to add to what I said. I wrote that it upsets me when African American people automatically think that you are mad at them for being black. As I think this over, that has never directly happened to me. I’ve seen it happen many many times, and when I think about where I always see it happen, that’s in the media, which, I know, for the most part is a lie. Now, I think of the possibility of contradicting myself. Is it my right to think of what is going on in someone else’s mind, I have no idea what it must be like to have someone not like you because of the color of your skin. So, I contradict myself in what I wrote about that topic before, because now, I am just more eager to learn about where it all comes from. Racism doesn’t make sense to me, is it fear? Is it just needing something or someone to blame for your own issues? I think that someone being prejudice against someone else for the color of their skin is horrible. And, I am so sorry if I have ever made anyone feel that way. But, I wonder if I have the right to question or explore where it all comes from. I feel that if I wonder about racism, then it automatically comes off to people that I am racist. Does it? I really don’t know.
When it comes to feminism, I am a feminist. I just think that a lot of feminists, (not nearly all,) come across promoting something that they aren’t, hate or rigidness, or the idea that being a feminist means you need to be completely hardcore. I ask you to help me with my questions, for I am not racist, I am not sexist, I am just curious to where this, where evolution, where hate comes from.
My Problem With Some Feminists…
By Maddie Lear on May 19th, 2007 ·
Tags: Girl power · Growing up · Race · Politics · Your body · Our girl crushes · Activism · General · National issues · Sexism · Ideas · Femininity
3 responses so far ↓
1 TCD // May 19, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Yes Maddie, you do have the right to explore the issue racism, infact, every American should be familiar with the long lasting effect of slavery that still lingers in this country. Understanding history (true history) is the best way to develop a nuanced viewpoint on racism. I would also suggest that you try talk to many people of different races, you don’t even have to talk to them about racsim, just talk about anything, you’ll find out that people, no matter what race, are very similar.
When we dont take time out to learn and talk to others that are different from ourselves we tend to rely on media portrayals (which usually are not accurate) of those people and we become comfortable in using borad stereotypical language when disscusing them.
2 jamia // May 20, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Maddie, I know you are not racist and I appreciate your maturity and strength in terms of recognizing something that you might want to explore and learn more about. It is important to question without fear and i admire that about you. Keep thinking about the difficult issues, we need all of us thinking about them to make change. xo
3 Emma // May 21, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I have the same problem sometimes - I feel like if I ask to many questions as a white girl, I come off racist! Already I feel squeemish posting this comment. But I guess we do all need to be able to talk to one another openly, as long as we have the goal of love and understanding in our hearts (and not hatred or stereotyping).
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