Different Shades of Black

The recent death of Trayvon Martin has shed light on racism in America.  In just three weeks several boundaries have been created, but none more than black against white.  This is nothing new; the black community has always been shunned in America.  We walk to the beat of our own drum and we are always so enriched in our culture, our norms, and our history.  In turn, since the beginning of time black people have been misunderstood as well as stereotyped. 

At a glance, the Trayvon Martin case seems like a hate crime that was racially motivated.  To Zimmerman, Trayvon looked like a trouble maker or a “thug” because he was wearing a hoodie.  Somehow, over the years a hoodie has become associated with danger in the black community…who knew?  We (as in the black community) clearly see this for what it is, which is a stereotype.  Not all black people are the same. 

Here’s my problem:

Every day I read on Twitter, Facebook, the blogs, and the news different opinions of black people in our community.  We are so quick when there is a matter of race to talk about boycotting those “crackers,” “pigs,” and “whitey.”  Secondly, we are quick to shun the people of our own community who do not follow suit.  If you work for the “white man” you are considered a sellout.  If you work a 9 to 5 for the “white man” you are slaving.  If you are putting your money in the bank, you are letting the “white man” swindle you.  If you are compliant to authorities or even mildly respectful you lost your race card!  I am the last person to yell “Heil Hitler” or “White Power” but I see a consistent problem in our community.  We are so quick to divide ourselves within our own community.  We judge each other and are quick to outcast another person.  There are different shades of black.  Just because one did not grow up in the hood or struggling does not make them any less black than the next person.  Black people grow up differently.  Not all of us are raised to be in touch with mother earth and Africa.  All of us are not Muslims; some are Christian, some are Catholic etc.  Some of us like to work; working is the American way because living in America is not free!  Some of us want a better life and we want to be able to live comfortably.  But does that make me any less Black? 

We have come a long way.  There was a time where we could not vote, could not receive an education, we were denied knowledge.  Now we have Black doctors, Black lawyers, Black colleges and universities, and Black media personalities (shot out to myself!!!).  The sky is the limit for us because we now have the knowledge to create our own opportunities.  So why do we continue to judge one another, divide our race and put each other down?  Before we can solve the problem with racism in America, we have to solve the racism and classism in our own community.  (Follow me @eyediditmyway)