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There have been two recent situations that have gained media attention which have been challenging to those with strong opinions on race and racism. Last week there was a ‘discussion’ on The View between so-hosts, Elizabeth Hasselbeck, Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Sheppard on the usage of the N-Word (click on the link above to see the video). A quick recap: Hasselbeck argued that no one should use the N-word and Goldberg and Sheppard, who admitted that she used it, tried to explain to her about the nuances of the N-word, why some black people use it in a different connotation than white folks. It didn’t go very well. Here is the transcript.
These days it seems to be extremely challenging to step out of our self-imposed boxes and acknowledge that other people’s experiences besides our own actually matter. Because our personal experiences – both positive and negative- have shaped our perspectives, what becomes challenging is realizing that not everyone has shared the same experiences which ultimately means that when differing perspectives about specific issues are discussed there is going to be a differing of opinion.
A great example of this was the lines in proverbial sand that were drawn between white women and women of colour during the Democratic presidential race between Hilalry Clinton and Barak Obama. Similarites that were thought to exist were suddenly questioned. Allegiances were tested and some permanantly broken.
Most of the time when confronted with a differing view on let’s say, gardening or how to use an appliance in a more efficient way, it’s relatively easy for us to quickly change our perspective from how we used to mow our lawn or cook on our grill. However, in relation to topics that we have a personal stake in, our perspectives, are harder to change.
For this reason, I have a very hard time tolerating the antics of Hasselbeck, to the point where I do not watch The View because when I do I am compelled to punch my TV screen when I see her smug, privileged face (whew. Got that off my chest). But in order to practice what I preach, l do acknowledge that her opinions are formed from her life experiences, so while I don’t entirely agree with her, her points should be acknowledged and respected. However, maybe it is because of the Clinton campgain, where punches where thrown at the crotch level one too many times for my liking, but my side-eye continues to be in full effect.
The main concern that many bloggers have noted in the past week, though was not what Hasselbeck said, because we have heard that "we are the world" nonsense before, but the visual connotations surrounding the discussion. Danielle over at The Black Snob looks at the impact of Hasselbeck’s crying stunt on the show:
I actually started laughing when Elisabeth Hasselbeck started crying. I think (she cried) because this isn't an issue can be dressed up with kittens and rainbows. It involves complex, deep drama that can't be worked through in 45 minutes on Dr. Phil. They want to be "done" with the issue of race and wonder why-oh-why can't we just be free, hug a tree and be all "the same" already, because she's there. She's cool! She's totally post-racial! What's your problem? But then there was the whole not realizing that saying "we're the same" and us actually being "the same" are two entirely different things. It think it's a combo of guilt and frustration because she knows she doesn't get it, but doesn't want to go down that scary path to finding out what the "real" problem is.
Crying over shit like this is a cheap way to show you care or that you take it seriously when you're really just crying because you think people are "picking" on you.
