Racism Alive and Well in 2010?!

Read This Invitation To The “Compton Cook Out,” Held at UC San Diego February 2010 As Posted On Facebook:

“February marks a very important month in American society. No, i’m not referring to Valentines day or Presidents day. I’m talking about Black History month. As a time to celebrate and in hopes of showing respect, the Regents community cordially invites you to its very first Compton Cookout.

For guys: I expect all males to be rockin Jersey’s, stuntin’ up in ya White T (XXXL smallest size acceptable), anything FUBU, Ecko, Rockawear, High/low top Jordans or Dunks, Chains, Jorts, stunner shades, 59 50 hats, Tats, etc.

For girls: For those of you who are unfamiliar with ghetto chicks-Ghetto chicks usually have gold teeth, start fights and drama, and wear cheap clothes – they consider Baby Phat to be high class and expensive couture. They also have short, nappy hair, and usually wear cheap weave, usually in bad colors, such as purple or bright red. They look and act similar to Shenaynay, and speak very loudly, while rolling their neck, and waving their finger in your face. Ghetto chicks have a very limited vocabulary, and attempt to make up for it, by forming new words, such as “constipulated”, or simply cursing persistently, or using other types of vulgarities, and making noises, such as “hmmg!”, or smacking their lips, and making other angry noises,grunts, and faces. The objective is for all you lovely ladies to look, act, and essentially take on these “respectable” qualities throughout the day.

Several of the regents condos will be teaming up to house this monstrosity, so travel house to house and experience the various elements of life in the ghetto.

We will be serving 40’s, Kegs of Natty, dat Purple Drank- which consists of sugar, water, and the color purple , chicken, coolade, and of course Watermelon. So come one and come all, make ya self before we break ya self, keep strapped, get yo shine on, and join us for a day party to be remembered- or not."

WOWWWWWWWWWW!!!! Are you serious? When I first read this, tears came to my eyes. Is this really how we are portrayed? Is this how the white race REALLY views us; behind our backs, behind closed doors, is the N word spoken rampantly? I dont know why this weighed so heavily on my heart, especially the extremely offensive and sad description of the "ghetto chick" and how she dresses. The question is, who is really to blame? I dont think we have to look very far for the answer. Just turn on the tube, and the absence of successful African American sitcoms speaks volumes. The so-called "reality" shows portray the stereotypes of African Americans *coughs* (Real Housewives of Atlanta) *coughs*. BET is consumed with hip-hop videos portraying the description above perfectly. The women in these videos shaking what they mama's gave them dont help either. The Madea's, Shenaynay's, and Wanda's are fun and entertaining, but to a white woman in the good ole' country side of Iowa, these images are all they see of a black person.

Is there ever a point where entertainment takes it too far? Should entertainment be confined to "free speech" ,regardless of the images portrayed and the stereotypes enforced? When does entertainment and the entertainers become responsible for there actions? Or do they even have a responsibility? Do they even care?!

A few San Diego college students ignorant and mistaken views on my beautiful honey skin should not have this effect on me, but it does. This invitation was nothing short of stupidity, and offensive in the least, ESPECIALLY during Black History Month, where the powerful and under rated history of African Americans are actually celebrated and taught (unlike the History books in grammar schools all across America). Some suggest throw a "Trailer Trash" party, where the girls where cut off tank tops, wear dry, stringy blonde wigs, dirty sandals and cut-off denim shorts with a couple Coronas, and the men come dressed in cowboys hats, fitted light jeans, plaid shirts, and their sexual partner in tow, who just happens to also be their first cousin. Or some suggest, Yeah, let them have their party, but let them have it actually in Compton, then let's sit back and enjoy the festivities (pass the popcorn please...oh yeah and the police! Lol).

Now, this is not a dog at white people. It is actually a wake up call! The Black race is the only race where when one person does something, it is automatically boomeranged to the whole entire race. One disappointing Black athlete, and all of a sudden it's all Black athletes. We are the only race where what one person does, another person of the same color across the country can be discriminated against as a result. The media, entertainers, and the everyday working Joe's need to take responsibility for their actions and do better. This is not about a offensive party, it's about our distorted image that WE ourselves are portraying. For some reason, Lil' Wayne, Nicki Minaj and all the gold tooth toting, donkey butt carrying, different color weave wearing celebrities come to mind.

Racism is alive and well, even in the decade of 2010! My father, Marvin Wilson was alive when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was fighting for equal rights for African Americans! Do you realize that that was NOT that long ago? Your parents, or at the least grandparents was alive when we were STILL fighting for equal rights! That is so amazing to me! My great grandmother and sisters lived in Jackson, Mississippi still fighting just to keep their lives! My grandmother and her sisters was the first generation of my family that settled in the northern states of Illinois, Ohio and Indiana.

So when you think about it, 1968, the year of MLK Jr.'s death is not a distant memory. Which makes it scarier than ever. Has any progress been made...at all?