I recently sat down with a
professor on campus and talked about what it means to be black in a
white-dominated culture. We talked about overcoming stereotypes, the hesitation
to be yourself, and the profiled expectations of the surrounding population. At
the root of the conversation we both understood that our perceptions of being a
minority are influenced by the placement both by self and others into the position
of being the “spokes person” for all other black people.
Growing up at an all white
school, from an early age I realized that my actions would be perceived differently
than my white classmates. And because of this difference,
I become the “spokes person” for black people. This can be burdensome and exhausting,
then at other times empowering.
My friends were often
confused why I spoke Standard English instead of Ebonics and were surprised
when they found out I achieved good grades. Many children, trying not to pop
their bubbled world view, often called me white. Basically insinuating that a
black person could not be well spoken,
intelligent and have life goals that are not professional sports or music.
These kids frustrated me.
Which is the reason why I chose to accept the position as “spokes person for
black people.” I would tell them you can’t act a color and propose that they
attempt to act pink.
Eventually, my classmates
perception began to change as we spent more and more time together. But while
this is happening I also felt a loss of self. Everything I did was so strategic
and thought-out nothing flowed naturally. I couldn’t be myself for fear that I
may be stereotyped.
There is another issue here,
which is who is to judge whether your lifestyle choices and actions are good or
bad. I wanted to present a very successful, put-together black person to the
world and others may feel being black means something else or nothing at all. I
still wonder if I did the right thing throughout my childhood, or if I should
have been content with being me. Not worried about the general populations
opinion of black people.
What do you think is this “spokes person” position important
or one that is actually detrimental to self and the people around?
Your friend in the Access and Diversity Center,
Mariah Bryant
Your friend in the Access and Diversity Center,
Mariah Bryant