Breaking Point to Elevation: Encounters and Conversations on Racism Beyond America — Pt. 2
The shift is being felt — as passion meets purpose and focus, our voices are one. Be it spoken or written, together we work as parts of a simple yet intricate whole, all with one goal — To ensure that all are treated as they were created…Equally.
“Being born in a country whose population is predominantly black, there are consistent black influences that encourage you to strive for greatness and in turn secure a belief that anything is attainable and all possibilities are endless” ~ Adrian
That was the confident opening statement, that began my conversation with Adrian, one of the two men with whom I had the pleasure of interviewing. Throughout this article, they share their views on the current climate across America as it relates to racism and inequality. Dre and Adrian’s experiences with microaggression and racism, were shared in Pt. 1 of this duet piece, which you can read here. Both men live in Toronto and shared their views, just as they shared their experiences…openly.
RACE AND INEQUALITY
As our conversations opened, I asked for their view on the issue of racism and inequality, an issue fueling the calls for change across America. Dre responded like this,
“People of color and specifically black people have always been in a position where they are trying to rise to the top, but there are systemic obstacles that are blocking them from doing so. Regardless of how much we fight and no matter if some form of leeway/breakthrough is made, the vast majority of us are still searching for some semblance of equality, especially in a First World Nation”.
Dre’s point of view also extended into the fact that, although racism is a global issue, by comparison, its effects are more severely felt in countries where black and brown people are the minority.
This same question was posed during my conversation with Adrian, and he had this to say,
“I am outraged by us having this issue in 2020. Saddened, disgusted and confused as to why black human beings, are viewed as less than human and are considered disposable. This bellows clear as I look at society today — and my question is Why?’’
Together, the responses from these men, carried a unified understanding that this is a never-ending fight for people of color.
EXISTING AS PEOPLE OF COLOR
Our conversations continued, and I brought this question to both men — Do you agree with the statement, that people of color are merely existing in America today as opposed to living and why?
Dre responded as follows,
“There are two types of black people in this world. Those that are living regardless of any obstacles they may face. They walk authentically in their blackness and in their truth. But, the vast majority of black people are existing, because they are afraid to challenge the status quo. In challenging the status quo, is to become the stereotype of the ‘angry black person’. So instead, most black people exist and call it living but to live is to be authentic and if we are not truly being who we are, then we are not living.”
Dre’s response spoke volumes to the way we as black people approach our daily lives. This monotonous form of existing blindly is extremely self-limiting and so relative to many people of color, me included.
The approach to answering this question when it was posed to Adrian, came from a place of emotion and clear understanding of the inequalities which, people of color are faced with in America. Adrian had this to say,
“In America most people of color are existing. There are so many difficulties when you are trying to elevate yourself. You may be qualified for, let’s say, a particular job, but something as simple as having a name that is too black is an issue, then your outlook as it pertains to the job must be immaculate and then there is your work ethic. If you actually get the job you then must work 10 times as hard, just to be on the same level as a non-person of color. This is just a fact.”
Adrian then shared an example that highlighted the emotional energy behind his answer. He described an experience in a company at which he worked. He was the only person of color in his department. Any prior employees of color had been [per the company’s description] ‘lazy’. Adrian found himself being presumed as ‘just having a conversation’, when he was in fact, discussing issues pertinent to work, with his colleagues. This view, was solely based on the perception the company had of him because of his color.
In order to progress, Adrian found himself having to go above and beyond and put in the same work 10 times over. A reality that people of color face every single day.
CHANGE — IS IT WITHIN REACH?
Change seems more attainable now as our voices are heard and our fight continues. Adrian and Dre shared optimistically, whether they saw change as being possible and how.
Dre’s view on change was this,
“I think it would be hypocritical of me to say that I do not see this changing. I do see change happening, when non-black people see the injustices, understand what the injustices are and some type of legislature to protect people of color is put in place. We must come to a place where we understand that I, as a black man, have implicit rights and that the body lying in the street is not a just black man but a man, a person. When we get tired of black people being hashtags and protesting and witnessing altered coroner reports, and see real repercussions that is when we will see some type of change.”
The passion and connection of his response as a man of color, was followed by the understanding that for change to be within reach we need allies. Those non-people of color at the grass roots level that are not afraid to speak up about the injustices.
Adrian’s view was not far from that of Dre’s and echoed the need for allies.
This is what Adrian had to say,
“There has always been constant change, but it has been slow. Change in itself is difficult, but necessary. But in terms of racism, as a black man I feel like we always take four steps forward and three steps back. We are definitely pressing forward but historically, every time we progress there is something that happens, causing us to fall a couple steps back. However, right now I am hopeful — we are seeing more allies supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, realizing that there is racism and it has been present all along — with this I am hopeful that change can happen.”
Adrian much like Dre, brought a passion to his response, that gave words to a feeling and internal rhetoric, to which many black people do not give a voice. Adrian also left me with a multi layered question to those non-people of color that DO NOT support the equality, the movement or the change. Questions that I think we all would love the answer to…
“What do you see when you see us? What makes you so afraid? What makes you so aggressive toward us? Why?”
OUR MESSAGE
As the interviews wound down, I asked them both to share a personal message to young black people of color and society as a whole. Although unique in responses, their message to society echoed a similar sentiment which was this,
“Take the time to see everyone as people, try to view things from another’s point of view. Maybe we will see that, a lot of the misunderstandings come from not truly knowing each other”
Individually, Adrian and Dre had specific words of encouragement and direction, for young people of color today.
Adrian had this to say,
“Educate yourself about the system you are living in, about your rights and how your personal appearance affects an encounter. Avoid any misrepresentation and do not get emotional — anger or fear makes you act irrationally. When you find yourself in an encounter with law enforcement, keep your voice low, when you lower your voice, they have to lower theirs in-order to hear you.”
For Dre he had this to say,
“Even though the world may treat you differently or unfairly it is no excuse for you to do the same. Instead, use the platforms you have to educate others that, may look like or identify with you on your heritage, especially if you come from a home that teaches black pride and growth. When dealing with a racial encounter, assess the situation and chose the appropriate response. The n-word in passing — let it go. When faced with law enforcement comply, do not give them any reason to say you are resisting.”
Both of these men gave sound advice. Ironically however, both men sited an encounter with law enforcement as a matter of ‘when’ as opposed to ‘if’. Highlighting that as people of color, an encounter with law enforcement is a surety not a possibility.
IN CLOSING
Adrian and Dre, opened an entirely unique conversation, based on their views and willingness to be transparent about their personal experiences. From microaggression, to racism, to their daily mental reminders, these men of color spoke freely and comfortably. I can only hope that transparency like theirs continue to fuel a dialogue and inspire the change that these men see as possible.
Thank you Adrian and Dre for your transparency — you are truly and inspiration
