I ain't gonna lie, I've been busy. I've been doing the thing called life.
When you think of a black family, what do you think of? Obama's presidency might change how we thing of African American families, rich or poor.
Ya'll remember the cartoon character, Speedy Gonzolaz?
Its not an accurate representation of anyone hispanic, really. But he was a mark of my (and prolly yours) childhood. Because of what was mostly an innocent and funny representation of another culture, a sociologist could probably argue that my "view" of any hispanic persons will always be colored by said representation.
In a way, this is similar to the changes that the Obama Presidency will have. Regardless of your feelings on his policies or abilities as a President, his airtime will bring a collective change towards how we look at the Black family.
Your thoughts?
In the idea of being honest, I will more than likely still view black families as the families I grew up with and went to school. The same way I view the white families I grew up with and went to school. I went to predominently black school system.
ReplyDeleteMost are middle class struggling to raise their children in a Christian home. Some have had life knock them down too many times and can not get up, either their own choices or lack of education so they struggle harder than most to give their children a good life. Sometimes though that life of borderline poverty breeds violence for their children, those I went to school with. You have some that are just very classless and crass, also referred to as trash.
I've seen all aspects of it and I don't necessarily think it will change some views for the better. I think there are some, mostly rural places that still live in a fear from previous generations and will continue to still have the same views.
I hope that makes sense.
Jack, according to the sociological and anthropological material I've read, it takes about two to three generations for something to change, such as a perspective that a people group has. Religion, language, etc. are the same way. It may be that our children (well, not mine yet) are the ones more effected by Obama than are we; let us hope that by the time our grandkids are born, the U.S. views black folk in equality and beyond the racism that is still lurking beneath the surface of our society. Peace bro.
ReplyDeleteI think you both make good points.
ReplyDeleteNicole - you make perfect sense and obviously show some appreciation for deeper associations than me and speedy gonzolaz.
Dan - if history is any indicator, I think it will take longer than that. But there is always hope!
I don't think Obama will change the way I view familys/people; it was pretty much on a one-to-one basis anyway. However, I do think blacks will start to see themselves differently. they can no ;onger complain that white society is holding them back when clearly Obama was not held back. so, I hope his example will encourage that community to strive for better things.
ReplyDelete