We have made the world quite complicated, and racism is part of that complexity.
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I am writing this article because of how much a recent interaction speaks to the current climate one encounters when discussing racism.
Ignorance is a tough thing to deal with, especially when combined with an intense ego. It then becomes willful ignorance. The willfully ignorant person is unaware of experiences he or she has not had, and the impact of those experiences. This person will think you crazy or stupid for talking about something they don’t see as a problem because it has not affected them personally. They also need you to know how angry they are at your discussion of your own experience and that of those you love.
Some guy, let’s call him Random McDude, tried to tell me to stop talking about racism a couple of weeks ago. He said that my page “used to be good” and what I “needed” to do is get back to just talking about play. He actually said my page was “shit” now. Never mind that it continues to grow. In observing interactions my friends have had as well, there are lots of Randoms out there who seek to tell other folks about their own reality in order to improve their own comfort level.
First, allow me to share a quote with you:
“I’m a grown ass man, dawg. ~ Entertainer, Cedric The. Late 20th century philosopher, and monarch of the comedic arts.
Did this cat really act like I needed his advice or authority? Who is he, even?
Look here, folks…
I started promoting play because I became concerned with the way kids are interacting with each other and their world, not just because I wanted them to be more “fit”. I always saw that as a conduit to health, togetherness, and social change.
I and many others are concerned about the way the world interacts with kids. I and many others are concerned about the way adults see each other, because that affects kids, too. I and many others are concerned about kids because they are our future. However corny that sounds, it is absolutely true.
We cannot provide a better future without understanding how our past and present connect to that future. I know it is difficult. I know that makes things more complicated than sticking our heads in a game and ignoring the world around us. But we have made the world quite complicated, and racism is part of that complexity.
Playing games doesn’t complete the mission
Playing games, when kids then walk back to their lives and still don’t actually know anything about each other, will not solve our problems. Playing games with kids, while their parents remain ignorant, will not solve our problems. Just like someone needs to understand virology to construct a vaccine, there are things we have to understand to treat humanity’s issues, and fuel it’s continued growth/evolution.
I know that a few people feel (weirdly) betrayed or alienated by my choice to expand. However, this is a choice I made to address a wider view of my life’s mission and work.
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I know that a few people feel (weirdly) betrayed or alienated by my choice to expand. However, this is a choice I made to address a wider view of my life’s mission and work. I recognize that for some reality appears different. But I think we all know that saying about moccasins….
The funniest thing about Random McDude’s vitriol is the fact that less than 25% of my posts and articles even tangentially mention race or racism. The majority are about play, sustainability, education, child development. You know, stuff affecting every race and age group on this planet.
The second funniest thing is that I am still about the mission of play, in practice. Just look at my time with the A+ Students at Hampton University this summer, or Camp Esteem with 100 Black Men of the Peninsula (where we brought kids and Law Enforcement Officers together in play), or my play session with the kids in my old neighborhood community center on Shell Road in Hampton. My play sessions with the resident assistants at Hampton University. That is just this year.
How about the multiple PE teachers, facility owners and trainers that I still advise on implementing play?
Now, you might see my more recent pictures of play and see that the kids are mostly of African descent. Well, if you want to make any “racial” conclusions about that: don’t. My readily accessible, online history as a play advocate includes copious pictures with groups of mostly white kids, and with groups that contain kids from around the world.
What happened to you, did you become some radical?
I came back to my alma mater to help fulfill some needs. Ever heard of anyone doing that? I came back to do stuff in my neighborhood. Ever heard of anyone doing that? Why are most of the kids in those environments black? Because of the history of this nation that has been heavily shaped by racism and racial segregation. First it was legalized, then it continued via sequestration of resources.
So yeah, I address racism. Because I live the effects of it every day. Further, I cannot think of a single person of color that has not had a direct experience of racism among my friends.
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So yeah, I address racism. Because I live the effects of it every day. Further, I cannot think of a single person of color that has not had a direct experience of racism among my friends. I have plenty of white friends who have never experienced racism directly
Did I create this reality? No, it exists. So, I talk about it and act to change it.
What else do I do about it? I train students every day in the art and practice of critical thinking. I challenge their conclusions when they think things are racially motivated. Many of these students are going on to be teachers, therapists, and nurses. I challenge them on just marching and not enacting economic solutions. Where I can, I contribute time and money to projects that make communities better.
How much do you want to bet Random McDude doesn’t know all of that? You see, even if someone has a presence online, you still don’t know all of what they do. The funny thing here? I have posted ALL of that. But this guy only chose to pay attention to what he felt “some kinda way” about. He also wanted to deny the part of reality that I and many others have experienced because it made him uncomfortable about himself.
I am not an idiot. It takes something catastrophic to change deeply held beliefs on that level. I am doing all of this to 1) talk to people who are…ignorant, but not hateful and 2) to impart knowledge to those who might actually want help understanding the issues.
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Here is the other problem assumption that is often made: He and others like to assume that people who discuss things like racism think we are gonna get KKK members to discard their hoods. I am not an idiot. It takes something catastrophic to change deeply held beliefs on that level. I am doing all of this to 1) talk to people who are simply ignorant, but not hateful and 2) to impart knowledge to those who might actually want help understanding the issues.
If you hate hearing about racism, education, child development, play, neuroscience, stop following me (or that other person you are mad at) on Facebook, Twitter, my blog, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Don’t show up to my classrooms. We do not have to speak to each other. But I will not allow you to derail my conversation with others because you have an ax to grind. Talk to your therapist, homie.
I am a teacher. That is my special skill. I do not have money. I don’t weld or farm (though I would enjoy either). I am good with my hands, but I do not code or create electronic gadgets. If you do that, more power to you. But this is my contribution.
No one will stop me from making that contribution to the people that need it and benefit from it daily. If people choose to make assumptions, they are the ones that have to live with those assumptions. Not I. So, if you find yourself wanting to dictate someone else’s reality to them – stop. Just do you.
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Original article appeared at The Neighborhood Neuroscientist. Reprinted with permission.
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Photo: Getty Images
Video credit: YouTube/Dr. Kwame Brown