Black Erasure

First things first, happy Stay Woke Awareness Month, or as it's more commonly known Black History Month. Sorry I took a week or so off, had to recuperate and refocus. See, I've noticed the amount of softballs and fluff pieces I've been producing. In an attempt to give you all better content, I'm here to present to you a theory that's so apparent it's hard to believe: white America is trying to wipe black America out of existence.

Now, I don't mean every single white person. No, don't be silly. This is directed at the powers that be - the Man or Council of Supremacy, if you will. You have to understand, they're just trying to hold on to the past. They arranged things just the way they liked it, and they intend on keeping it that way. Why give up your seat upon the throne to share a slice of cake when you can eat it?*

How are George Washington's Wooden Dentures taking us out one by one? Allow me to lay these conspiracies upon you, my dear brothers and sisters [and cousins].

The most tragic and apparent injustice against people of black descent are the countless instances of police brutality and fatality. One would have thought the lesson would have been learned from the Rodney King case, but history does tend to repeat itself. Luckily, social media exposes more corrupt and malicious police officers than ever before. Unfortunately, the incrimination rate of these officers is not as high. It is constant insult to injury for nearly every instance. In the grand scheme of things, this makes sense. Why would the White Shadow wish mass genocide upon us like the KKK? We were more useful to them as broken people. They wish to tire us mentally.

They start out small, almost microgressions. For the past 50 or more years, the American sports industry has been dominated by black players - an amazing result of slave breeding that's worked in our favor. However, in the NFL, the majority of quarterbacks are white - because, you know, leaders are white. Russell Wilson is the only black quarterback to have appeared in the Super Bowl as of Super Bowl 49 [or XLVIII]. During the 2015 season, we have been graced by the magnificence that is Cam Newton, but he's been faced with adversity as people call him a thug or worse. Apparently dabbing in the end zone is a terrible offense. They find anyway to disgrace a black quarterback, but will defend a white quarterback until they're backed into a corner. Sure, some cases have been dismissed at accusations, but in most environments being accused of rape should destroy your career.

Sports aren't the only public arena black people are discredited. By now, we've all become familiar with the phenomenon that is #OscarsSoWhite. The clear disrespect that Sylvester Stallone is nominated while Michael B Jordan and Ryan Coogler remain neglected for their work as lead actor and director, respectively, is ridiculous. In fairness, I haven't seen the movie. It's just amusing that the prominent white actor in what could very easily be considered a "black movie" is the one being recognized for his talents. But you know, when you're an old white men sitting on an academy award committee you truly want to see yourself represented in the media because you've never had the opportunity before.

I'd like to wrap up my first militant post of 2016 with a nod to Michael Joseph Jackson. You've faced plenty of adversity in your life: abuse from your father, vitiligo, the Pepsi incident, child abuse/rape claims, monkey ownership, etc. However, you were a wonderful and impactful black man. Very proud of it, if memory serves correctly. So allow me to formally apologize for the casting of Joseph Fiennes in a fanfic about you, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marlon Brando fleeing a post 9/11 New York City - for both the white actor portraying you and what's sure to be a clusterfuck of a film. Also, I'm sorry for the whiteface Flex Alexander donned in that one television movie. Maybe we should just leave you out of films.

The problem of whitewashing characters is all too real. I'm glad no one has tried to hide behind the thin vail of colorblind casting only to be asked why the cast looks like a box of Rice Krispies. Shout out to the colorblind casting of Hamilton and their sold out run into the Fall.

There are more examples I could mention, but we have a whole month of awareness to get through. I sincerely wish the best for all of you. Don't allow the media to tell you your worth or lack thereof. Black, white, and every other ethnicity, we are all amazing. There's room for us all; don't allow the human manifestations of Scrooge McDuck and Foghorn Leghorn to erase you out of existence.

Word


*I don't know how idioms work, you guys. Help!