6/19/21
I'm now seeing racism in America through the tense of the intergenerational trauma I've experienced, known as Parental Narcissistic Abuse. End cycles of abuse and recognize the caste system that plays out in systematic racism. I wonder where ableism is in the caste system?
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2007
'There are two things about racism I've learned in my 28 years.
Racism is taught.
Racism is sometimes perpetrated by that race itself.
Yes, I'd be pissed too if I could only trace my ancestry to slaves. Yes, I'd be pissed that it took so long for the law to change to give me equal rights. But there comes a time you have to stop hanging on to the anger and persevere. I think of the Irish. They came to this country and were treated so badly. Rather than stew in it, they pushed forward. They created a parade to show homage to Ireland. Many horrible acts were committed against them. Still they made a place for themselves in this country. Now on March 17th people say they're Irish even when they aren't. They participate in that parade and the actual Irish embrace that. They don't criticize or hate people who want to be like them.It seems like this thread has a lot of reversed racism. I ask a question and suddenly I'm the racist. Where does that lead society as a whole? Can't we interact with each other without anger? Maybe people are uncomfortable by me asking a simple question because they themselves are racist? My curiosity was formed through what I observe, not an assumption. There are patterns that are in a race. It's what makes up your culture. Does it make me a horrible person if I ask a question about something I don't understand outside of my race?
That chip on your shoulder is holding you back. Can't you see that? Open your eyes.'
This messsage ABOVE was a result of defending myself after I posted a question in the Pearl Jam chat board. The question I had was involving African Americans and AC/DC concert shirts. The thread had around 600 hits in less then two days.
To read the whole mind numbing thread visit: http://www.ivykennedy.com/chat/ac.dc.htm
UPDATE:
A few hours later. From this chat thread I have learned that when I observe a change in a culture that sparks my curiosity and question that change, I'll most likely be called a racist. Which leads me to think about how that type of reaction effects my situation. Are people afraid to ask me about my disability? Do they think I'll lash out at them? I want people to feel free to learn how I cope with my disability. How can people understand if they can't ask questions? If more people were more opened-minded (by asking questions) I would maybe feel more accepted in society.
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UPDATE: 3/21/08
I've recently gotten really into this PBS series. It made me laugh and cry. I think schools should work part of this into their curriculum...seriously. It's a real eye opener.
A genealogist hunts down celebrity's family trees. To name a few: Oprah, Chris Tucker, Tina Turner.He tries to trace their family back to Africa.I learned things my school history books left out about the South! You have to watch this!
PS. there's a part 2 also. rent both at blockbuster online. African American Lives
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UPDATE: 5/3/08
Change: people hate it, and everything that's different I went to Indiana last weekend. a friend from high school got married. as we were driving thru the towns it struck me that they all were exactly the same. even the old country towns....they were like other country towns. we as a nation really haven't changed in that sense. people by nature stay the same. I mean just look at the towns......all the same! I hear people say change is good but in my opinion I feel they truly don't believe that. we are different and not the 'same' due to our disabilities. it's my opinion that if people liked change we as a disabled community wouldn't have to fight so hard. true, disabled have been around since the beginning of time, but yet we are still the minority. we always will be. that being said and from what my opinion is about people not liking change(liking everything the same) do you think the disabled community at one point would be able to stop fighting for their rights? Will there ever come a time where we will be 'equal?'
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UPDATE 9/28/08
I started a chat thread........subject: Chicken or the egg (what causes racism?)
a. Black people are treated differently, so they behave badly.
Or
b. Black people behave badly, because they are treated differently. which is it?
To read what people had to say: http://www.theforumsite.com/forum/topic/Chicken-or-the-egg-what-causes-racism-/251727
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UPDATE 12/31/08
Jeff Henderson was on Oprah today. He grew up in slums. He's black. He had no father. The role models he had were drug dealers. And of course he became one. He said something like when you're that poor you turn the other cheek when an opportunity to make a lot of money comes a long. He was busted and spent 9 years in jail. While there he discovers he's a talented chef. Then Oprah asks him what he had to do to become the famous Las Vegas chef he is today. Jeff says he had to shed his inmate appearance….slim down, cover his earring hole with makeup. He had to learn to walk differently, how to shake hands and to talk differently.
Two thoughts:
If a poor uneducated black kid can catch on to that….to assimilate to the white corporate world, why can't more African Americans try do that? I see some African Americans behave so 'ghetto' that I find myself feeling sorry for them. But on the other hand maybe if they do change they'll feel like they'll be turning their back on their culture by becoming something else.
Secondly, the 'Music Within' movie and Jeff reminded me of one core idea. It's not our (my) fault the disabled community hasn't been better accepted in society. It's people's perceptions that need to change. I don't need to change they do. Jeff was able to change himself thus it helped him succeed. You can't 'change' a disability.
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UPDATE: 4/4/14
Why I think African American Awareness Month is also Total Bull:
https://www.facebook.com/ivy.kennedy/posts/10151974144350780
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