Explaining racism

Ever since I have come to Australia I have gotten so many questions about racism, being an African American in the U.S., and the word Nigga. Every where I go people want to know what’s it like, how does it work, when does it happen. To be honest I never thought it would be so hard to explain racism. People here don’t often use the “N” word thank God but I have heard whites say it a few times. But in a way I as an American feel responsible. From what I see they use it to quotes movies, of course American movies. I have never had it said personally to me, and let’s also thank God ion that one because I would have to cut somebody.

I have tried to be truthful and upfront about the ongoing battle of racism in America. Its really difficult to explain though. I bring up personal experiences and hypothetical situations but I don’t feel like I’m giving the subject justice. In a way I feel like people don’t think it’s a problem anymore and that it doesn’t exist. Which I hope everyone knows is not true. I feel awful for not getting people to understand it’s a huge issue and there is still unjust act being carried out in the states, the supposed land of the free and home of the brave.

Again the movies hold a huge responsibility for these thoughts. In fact my professor has asked me to hold an Ebonics class for some of the 2^nd year musical theater students as a dialect choice. Looking at “The Wire” “Malibu’s Most Wanted” and “Airplane”. So no I didn’t refuse, I wanted to teach my class mates responsibly and let them know that Ebonics is a language that is very important to blacks in the states and shouldn’t only be taken as a way of comedy or for blacks to look ignorant.

I’m hoping people are understanding the point I hope I’m doing the right thing. I can’t help but to feel responsibility for these peoples frame of mind about the U.S. about racism and about blacks in America. A class mate said to me “ You know what I noticed when I was in the states, you’re a horrible racist jerk if you hate blacks, but Asians are free game for joking about”. He’s right why is that? Yet racism is racism it’s wrong it’s unjust and it’s anti-American, and yet it happens the most in America.