The “Black Friend”….

Many Black people don’t realize it but we’re being targeted. Nothing new. On the surface, it looks innocent, but underneath it, the intent is what needs to be confronted.

Are white people attracted to you for some reason? No matter where you go, they seem to want to strike up a conversation–then, invite you to hang out with them.

Hhhmmm…

Seems innocent, but is it?

Let me just stop being coy. What it is really is hipster racism. In other words, white folks profiling for Black people who they think can make them not look racist but oh, so cool. Because you know, we Black folks got dibs on the copyright for cool, right?  These type of white people actually look for “certain types” of Black people to approach: must be cool socially>>an athlete, singer, dancer, artist, clubber, etc., dress a certain way, talk a certain way (hip), have a certain kind of aura or look–in order to make the white person seeking out your friendship, be perceived differently in their social circles or cliques.  They love being seen with Black people, hanging out with them, and even going t0 bed with them, but then…the morning after, a feeling of disconnect takes over, and thus, they get bored, and have to find even more Black friends, to convince them that they are not racist for their true intentions and thoughts about Black people in general.

For those Black people who’ve been the “only Black” in certain scenarios, I’m sure you’ve experienced what has been penned, ironic racism, that is, someone who thinks they are above racism but doesn’t mind doing something extremely racist for a laugh.

Have you ever been asked the following questions:

““You know, _____, you’re black, but you’re not black black.”

– “Is ________ because you’re black?”

– “I’ve always wanted to hook up with a black girl.”

– “[Fill in with something about chicken.]”

– “[Fill in with something about looking ‘fierce’]” because that’s the ethnic word for “hot,” apparently.

Ever been to a party where one of the white folks wore black face and thought nothing of it?…of course, before they saw you there.

How many Black women have had the “white chick” you’ve been hanging with, think it was ok to touch your hair?

If so, then you’ve been tagged by an unintentional racist. Oh, god! But please don’t call them a racist, of course they’ll apologize and become condescending because…”you’re overreacting”. Right?

Let me tell you something, I’ve never been the Black friend, and don’t intend to be.

Now, I’m not even close to being naive, I know that there are some Black people who enjoy being the center of the joke in the room–having self esteem so low, if you kicked them, they’d say thank you.  However, it’s even worse when you know you’re being played and allow it.

White folks are dead to me. And I do mean that in literal reference. They are dying as a race and frankly, being friends with them is an oxymoron. How can you be a friend to a people who have spent their entire existence trying to diminish your people at our expense?  What gauls me about white people is that they feign ignorance to the White privilege that many of them feel free to do the things they do–even when it’s objectionable.

Not falling for the game. And I give this piece of advice for Black people involved in these superficial and psychologically damaging relationships: if you don’t respect yourself enough to BE YOURSELF and let people know who you truly are so that they can’t make presumptions about you, is their friendship enough to change the reality of what they truly are and how they really think about you?

I’m not your Black friend, Whitey?

Reference: http://www.thebolditalic.com/articles/2784-im-not-your-black-friend