We as humans crave for individuality and the chance to stick out amongst the crowd. Whether that is in looks, style or even work standards. Yet there are many that highlight the flaws in individuality and not celebrate the difference. Because if we were all the same, where would be the interesting skills and cultural differences that we learn every day when we walk this earth? We wouldn’t have the freedom to express ourselves in which ever way we chose fit, whether that’s a wacky hairstyle that you end up regretting five years later or your choice in a particular style and subculture. But see, skin colour is something we cannot change; it is what we are born with and what we should embrace. So when many discriminate against race, what is the point? There is nothing we can do to change it. As Jacqueline Woodson states, “diversity is about all of us, and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together.” Yes, we are entitled to freedom of speech, I feel it is a human right but we should also learn to respect and engage within the differences of many and become educated. Because the majority of people hate what we don’t understand, so if we all involve ourselves in making the effort to learn about each other as an individual and as a community, I think many of us would be pleasantly surprised. We need to stop segregating and categorising one another based on our race, religion, class, political opinions and other choices and decisions we make in life. Lets celebrate us as individuals and not as stereotypes.
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don’t hatea Were all born living creatures Just we all embrace different features Some white, some brown and some black All the same so your racism shit is all cack And because we’re black That is no reason for you to attack We all like different music clothes and food We’re meant to stick together don’t ruin a girls mood Yeah we have different hair and weave Don’t mean my baby daddy gunna leave Different backgrounds, cultures and family traditions A black girl to your friendship group ha well that’s a good addition 12
appreciate We’re all girls with the same body parts And yepp all girls that produce farts Don’t stereotype girls just by skin tone Cause we all got the same 206 bones If you judge me that’s a real shame Cause that’s low, arrogant and makes you look lame Do not pre judge from where I’m from Cause for all you know I’ll be making dollars whilst you’re at prom Live for today, because we are all equal Don’t make the racist past into some kind of sequel poem by Roseanne Alexander
A program focusing in on a black family and what it really means to be black. The show centers on a modern suburban African-American family growing in today’s new-age suburbia. The broadcast show humorously embodies father figure Dre’s (Anthony Anderson) disastrous attempts in teaching his children the ‘black ways’ and ‘keeping it real’, but contrasting with how the children very much disagree with their father. They force him to evaluate his own perception of blackness and what it means for his family. Representing how the generations have changed and equality has evolved. All through a brilliant American comedy broadcast; produced fantastically with punchy script lines, simple sets and beautiful casting, with a real connection and believable family bond. Black-ish, gets it right each episode. It tells us more than any other show what it means to be black today. Each episode centring around a different ‘issue’ or ‘lesson’ about being black. I am a white female who watches this show for both entertainment and education. It allows an insight on black culture, from both the adults and the youngsters point of view, about growing up in a black family, along with comical aspects, the show is an all round success in my eyes. The dynamic and hilarious show still retains a great honesty, that channel ABC has managed so very well, and it becoming the show which tackles race in such a bold manner whilst maintaining a strong audience loyalty. An episode which personal stood out for myself this series was episode, ‘The Nod’. Seeing Dre be so disheartened as he realises his eldest son does not nod at fellow black students at school. He then goes on to teach his son ‘The Nod’ demanding him to acknowledge other black students. Dre soon comes to the realisation that the nod is not only for the young black males anymore, but any form of acknowledgement for all races is the way his son lives, yet again his children teaching him that black is not the only way of life for this family and Dre is living in his old life.
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Another excellent portrayal from the producers on how the younger generations are accepting of people and how generations have changed over time, all through a hilarious scripting and acting, but keeping the sensitivity and message clear for the audience. Black-ish’s truly touching moments go beyond skin tone: Dre and his mixed-race wife Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross) are happy to admit they’re not the perfect parents and are still learning, they’re imperfect people still growing, raising four of their own an still remain in love . I must mention the Halloween episode, it was laced with stereotypes (all black people know each other, black men react to being spooked with impulsive knockout punches), but when the holiday pranks ceased, the fallout revealed a father horrified by his kids growing up too fast. Yet these are children so unaware of black history that they never realise Obama is the nation’s first black president. This truth of his kids’ apathy toward their ethnicity and culture often unnerves Dre, but even he has to admit that we’re not in Africa anymore. Dre’s portrayed life in Black-ish has placed him at the top of the volcano: His kids are often the only black kids in their class, like Dre is one of few black employees at his job. That’s true for many today. As other black sitcoms do not go unnoticed, Black-ish is breaking the barriers, tackling the taboos the stereotypes as well as the humorous. It breaks out of the walls of the black home, examining not just how this family relates to itself, but how it relates to the world around it: a largely non-black universe. To conclude black-ish may be causing a range of opinions, many contradicting mine, however I feel it is doing everything right, exposing the life of a hard working mother and father, trying to provide and raise their family and relate to their children as they grow into an ever changing culture. These are huge objectives alone which the show tackles, and the specific challenges that each individual episode embarks upon, whilst being black can appear in unexpected ways. Sometimes they’re incredibly difficult; other times, they’re just damn funny.
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Abeni Luken, 22, was born in Hackney, East London but has Nigerian and German roots from her parents. She now lives in Brighton with her mother, father and younger sister. She has recently just graduated from Queen Mary University in London with a first class honours in Psychology and is working part time in ASDA whilst she tries to locate a job based on her degree. Would you be able to extend more on your Nigerian roots and the countries ways of life and ethics? From a young age my mother was very strict compared to my father who had a more laid back attitude. When I went to Nigeria about 9 years ago I could see why my mum was how she is. The role of women in Nigeria was so old fashioned it made me feel very uncomfortable. Girls were not pushed in education like boys and so much was expected of girls in the house environment: cooking, cleaning, and serving the males. In a way it made me push away the African housewife stereotype so that I am for equal rights and equal house chore responsibility which I try and practice in my own relationship. How does your Nigerian and German heritage influence and affect the life you live? I have a deep embedded set of morals that I have gained from my mum's strict teachings. Sometimes I find it hard to find a middle ground between African culture and English way of life, especially as a child. I am very mindful oh how I will use my heritage influence to bring up my own children in the future. Do you think there is a certain nostalgic or stereotype for young black women in todays society? Yes, but less rigid than in recent history.
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What do you think caused these labels? I think black women are seen to been strong which I love, however sometimes negatively portrayed as having a bad attitude or being rude. I think we have more role models than we used to such as Oprah, BeyoncĂŠ, Michelle Obama, etc. therefore establishing ourselves in society as our own independent identities. What would be the most important or powerful thing you would like to say about black women to readers who are perhaps narrow minded or uneducated? That black women are beautiful no matter what shade of brown they are, and we are talented in so many ways rooted in our history. How do you think we can change stereotyping women as a society? Women of all shades and colour need to be exposed more in the media with more contributions than just entertainment factors. More scientists, doctors, journalists and MPs need to be shown more in society or stereotyping women will not change. Interviewed by Lauren SMith.
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In the channel 4 programme, Trevor Phillips confronts some uncomfortable truths about racial stereotypes. However he does not break any of the equality laws that are set in place in Britain, he knows this because he enforced them in parliament. Trevor Phillips led the equality commission for 10 years with the ethos that he wanted to make sure people got along. Phillips used the programme as a platform to describe the facts and opinions that are “unsayable but need to be said” as he comments “polite people don’t talk about this type of thing.” The programme began with Trevor using statistics and ethnic patterns of behavior to explain why the media, services and us as people stereotype categorize different races and nationalities – because it is fact. He explains there is no predigest in numbers or talking about ethnic patterns of behaviour in fear of what bigots and racists might say. Whilst unfolding a list of stereotypes, Phillips explains that the most offensive stereotype is related to crime. With racism appearing in certain offenses, for example black people are twice as more likely to be pulled over by police officers both here and in the US simply for being black and the officers use their stereotype to assume they have stolen etc. This can also be referred to as ‘driving whilst black’. Other statistics include blacks in Britain and Wales are twice as likely to be involved in violent crime and six times more likely to be involved in robbery based offences. The fact that their race is picked up upon as a significant part in the crime is racial profiling and I believe this encourages discrimination. Lazy
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media and politicians use this racial code. I do not think we should be afraid to speak out and tackle questions that we require answers for but we must be mindful and smart when asking these questions, as in theory we all have the freedom of speech and we all endure curiosity to things that are different compared to ourselves. We need to not lack confidence and comfortability with regards to querying race, as by leading separate lives and values we have become segregated, allowing negativity to thrive against other communities. As people hate what they do not understand. Phillips explains, “We are sleepwalking our way to segregation. We are becoming strangers to one another and we are leaving communities to be ruled outside the mainstream.” Trevor states that race doesn’t equal black and that whites aren’t racists. Through the entire broadcast this statement was most poignant to me as it is something we can all relate too. We need to be able to look at the data that is in front of us without obsessing about racial predigest or being afraid of being racist and when this happens this is when we can start giving help to those who most need it – that is true equality. “By using the freedom of speech we can eventually see each other in our true colours.” words by Lauren Smith
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MUA: Nadia Advent
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We all have a face that we put on everyday and a different one for every occasion. Some may be a face full of make-up, a brave smile or even that resting bitch face that so many of us girls naturally have. But why do we all have to mask the real us? Many of us say it is for protection, a barrier we create that hides us from all the negative comments and ways of the world that maybe, we are not so ready for. Or it could be that we wish to be perceived differently, as we all get judged within the first 10 seconds of encountering another person. I can see the reasoning for it though, as who wants to be seen as a sad, ugly, frigid girl when she’s free of all the cosmetics and artificial facial expressions? I, personally put a face on when interacting with new people. It protects me from not being seen as vulnerable. Whether that is in job interviews or perhaps being introduced to a new bunch of girls. Later on when I feel comfortable enough this face comes off and I can truly be myself and relax. I know this common and relatable to almost everyone, as its protection from getting hurt or mistreated. I would say this ‘toughened’ up face was introduced to me through my teenage years. After years of being bullied as a young child this hard face exterior helped me grow confidence in new situations. Now I am in my twenties, it is slowly slipping off. I don’t want to become that hard face cow that 48
looks like she doesn’t get on with anyone, or looks like she turns her nose up at people. I am ready for the world and all the people that come with it. It is easier to make friends and be more approachable when your face looks inviting. As kindness makes you the most beautiful person in the world, no matter what you look like. It is not nice being misjudged as sour and bitchy, (trust me) when in fact your just as sensitive and shy as most people deep down. I think we ALL need to stop plastering on this face for the world and actually reveal the real us, wouldn’t you rather be hated for who you really are then loved for something you are not? But we are all loved and trusted by someone, which is a feeling you can’t beat as these people know the real you! If we open up your circle will get bigger. We then would all be in the same boat, all feeling vulnerable and worried about what each other thinks of one another. But do you know what? Who cares! We need to stop the worrying and being judgmental. Then focus our energy on becoming educated on one another’s culture and individual personality, and then maybe we might get somewhere. Now, I’m not saying take your make up off, or open up your heart and soul (bit too cheesy) but open up your mind as a person and actually see the world and people around you. I think everyone one of us will be pleasantly surprised when the fake faces are removed and our minds are free of the artificial nonsense we all cling on too. Words by Lauren Smith 49
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