As I read various political blogs and articles sent through my youngblackjournalists group server, I have noticed a trend in stories. Roughly, each week there is a story and/or illustration of some sort about some racist act. I can't even go in chronological order because they come in lighting speed, but to reference a few: the Greenwich village "Negro Cookie," the display in Borders bookstores of President Obama's picture next to a picture of a monkey, (not to mention the various racially implied images of our President throughout his campaign trail), and most recently, the picture of the White house with rows of watermelon on the lawn that was sent in email by the mayor of a small town in CA to all his committee chairmen. What tends to strike a chord with me most is each individuals response once the action has hit news waves and blogs: "I was unaware." Then of course a highly publicized apology follows in the days to come. But "I was unaware" seems to be the escape goat for everyone. "I was unaware that making monkey cookies and calling them "Negro Cookies" was offensive," "I was unaware that sending a picture of watermelons on the White House's lawn, (a lawn that slaves plowed and labored over), was offensive," and "I was unaware that placing a picture of our President next to a picture of a monkey would stir some controversy among blacks." COME ON! This is 2009. Claiming to be oblivious to black stereotypes is not an okay defense in my opinion, excuse my french, but damn that!. I am sure there are few Blacks who "truly" believe racism has come to a lulling halt. A Black president being in office does not garner ANY truth to that statement. And "I was unaware" should not be acceptable. In this millennium racism still exists in full form, it's just acted out differently. It's a much more cowardly act--witty emails and subliminal comments, backed up by "I was unaware." I'm not buying it...
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