Simple truth about the skin we're in...

[OneGrassRoot]

and all the wypipo and race posts, as well as "colorblind" and other seemingly good approaches (which are actually quite dangerous):


UNTIL SKIN TONE MATTERS TO NO ONE, IT SHOULD MATTER TO EVERYONE.

To ignore it is disingenuous, even if you believe your intention is pure and good. Skin tone matters in our society. Supremacy based on a skin-tone spectrum is real, systemically and behaviorally. Until we can get to the point that superiority (moral, ethical, intellectual, etc) isn't based on skin tone and we can genuinely celebrate diversity and find unity within that diversity, ignoring or distancing yourself from the very real oppression and power dynamic based on skin tone is dangerous to those whose skin tone cause them harm -- HARM, not discomfort.

Big difference between discomfort and harm. Many white people feel discomfort about these issues while POC experience HARM.

Link to tweet

[H2O Man]

1. Recommended!

[malaise]

2. +1,000

Get thee to the greatest page

[ProudLib72]

3. Please fill in the blank

"Until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes, there is ___________"

[malaise]

4. Bob's War was a synopsis of Selassie's speech to the UN 1963

On the question of racial discrimination, the Addis Ababa Conference taught, to those who will learn, this further lesson:

that until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned;

that until there are no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation;

that until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes;

that until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race;

that until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained.

And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes that hold our brothers in Angola, in Mozambique and in South Africa in subhuman bondage have been toppled and destroyed;

until bigotry and prejudice and malicious and inhuman self-interest have been replaced by understanding and tolerance and good-will;

until all Africans stand and speak as free beings, equal in the eyes of all men, as they are in the eyes of Heaven;

until that day, the African continent will not know peace. We Africans will fight, if necessary, and we know that we shall win, as we are confident in the victory of good over evil.
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Haile_Selassie%27s_address_to_the_United_Nations,_1963

[ProudLib72]

5. I knew you would get it Malaise!

I just wonder how many of Bob's fans today know the context. Or even care.

[erronis]

6. I had the joy to meet the Emperor Haile Selassie, Lion of Judah, around that time of that speech

There is so much truth in his words and so much ignorance in the western world of the horrors that have been inflicted on the African continent, as well as other non-European populations.

What most of us don't really understand, even with a good sense of history, is how much subjugation the Europeans inflicted on their friends/allies while trying to establish hegemony. This of course applies to the Axis during WW-II, but many centuries before and many years after, by most.

Thank you very much, OneGrassRoot and Malaise.

This is not only a matter of my skin color (white as can be) or anyone else's. It is a matter of humanity caring for each other. In many countries around the world peaceful co-existence and love does exist. Forces of hatred and war don't like this.

[malaise]

9. I am not a fan of monarchies anywhere but Selassie did speak lots of truth

to the imperialist powers.

As I pointed out on H20s thread, until we tear down Imperialist notions of development and their parallel racist concepts at home, we will never root out institutional racism. No nation or race is entitled to enrich themselves at the expense of killing or exploiting others. Until we all learn that, our planet will self destruct.

[smirkymonkey]

7. +1000

Great post malaise!

[oberliner]

8. What about women?

Why is this speech replete with male-gendered pronouns?

[malaise]

11. Very good point

Racism and patriarchy go hand in hand and many non-white males were and are as misogynistic as their white brethren. I can't wait for MeToo hit hit some Caribbean institutions.

[oberliner]

16. Thanks

I share your sentiments completely.

[mountain grammy]

12. Fantastic, fantastic

And yes, always looking for inclusion of women.

[OneGrassRoot]

13. Thank you for this! :) n/t

[malaise]

14. You're welcome

Nice OP

[grantcart]

10. Mithochondrial Eve would have endorsed this message.

[OneGrassRoot]

15. Indeed. Hi, grantcart. :) n/t

[brer cat]

17. Good to see you, OGR!

I haven't seen you for a while and I missed you.

Nice OP.

[OneGrassRoot]

18. Thanks so much, brer cat!

It does my heart good to know I was missed. Hope life has been treating you kindly.