On Black People

I have nothing against black people. We’re funny when the occasion arises. We’re deep without even realising it. We always have the urge to find our roots even when we have had no prior knowledge of losing them.

You know, we have soul and we can dance really well and the American president is black now, so we must be smart and conscious and -insert other nonsensical stereotypes here-.

The point I’m trying to make here is that black people can be cool cats (I will hang myself later for using such a phrase). We can also, however, be full of...errr...that which comes out of your rectal region. Excuse the profound racism that appears to be building this piece, but some things need to be said with the vulgarity of a black would-be-intellectual-turned-gangster.

I have never really been one to be invested in debates and arguments that are centred in the idea of race. The idea of black versus white or white featuring black. The concept of black against white and white on black. I have had little interest in all of that and have had to bear judgement from people that I have had no interest in hearing from for it.

So here it is. I have finally been pushed to the point where I am writing about race -about black people (or, as many have insisted on reminding me, my people).

I have had to watch black families fight their way out of poverty only to be pushed back into it by their fellow “brothers”. I have witnessed many a young, black, woman educate herself only to have the door of opportunity shut in her face by her fellow black “sista”. I have listened as entire black communities discourage the key to the enrichment of their lives so often that he swears never to set foot in that community when he makes it out. True to his word, he never does.

You can understand how bearing witness to these instances makes it rather difficult for me to smile and nod when someone insists that the very fabric of black South Africans is unity and ubuntu. I have observed the hypocrite stand on the podium preaching brotherhood and a sense of community when he has not been to his birthplace since he got the “opportunity to escape”.

It is ridiculous. From a black girl to the black community: hypocrisy is a very undesirable trait in a people. If we want to be seen as a united race then I suggest we start acting as one.

When Nomathamsanqa from next door walks into your house and asks you if your daughter could teach her how to read and write, how’s about you don’t charge her? If Thandisizwe from down the road asks if he could use your car to drive into town for a job interview, how’s about you give him the damn car?

This obsession we have with getting “there” (wherever the hell there is) first is going to lead us to our ultimate demise. Lend a hand. Help a brother out. Do what you can. These clichés seem to mean nothing to the majority of black people. And it sickens me.

That is my two cents worth. As you were.