I found this
Wednesdays readings by West and Hooks to be particularly intriguing. One for
they’re insights to African American culture in the political and social realms
and furthermore because of their foresight into contemporary society. This of
course is particularly interesting because of the recent presidential election
and the one that took place just four short years ago. When, as some people
say, marks the date in which we become a post-racial society after electing our
first Black president. However, our discussion on Monday when referencing
Derrida, Foucault, and especially the women’s racist Facebook status which
metastasized into a viral media sensation would prove otherwise. I would be
interested to see what West and Hooks would have to say about that woman’s post
and what it means in regards to out “post-racial” society. And furthermore an article I read
yesterday which pin points the location of people who sent out post election
racist Tweets.
West states, “To
engage in a serious discussion of race in America, we must begin not with the
problems of black people but with the flaws of American society—Flaws rooted in
historic inequalities and longstanding cultural stereotypes”. (628) This quote
stood out to me because he’s saying before we can even approach any problems
today, we must first look at the past, or the root of the issue. We must gain
insight and understanding if were ever going to approach these issues objectively.
This quote and moreover the reads together reminded me of a stand-up comedy routine
by Louis CK in which he talks about being white. He starts by saying being
white is better than any other race. He clarifies by saying that he’s not
saying white people are better, but that being white unarguably better in
society. He then goes on to talk about what will happen when the whites are no
longer “dominant” in society.
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