A Teachable Racial Moment
February 1, 2012, by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers
We’re very excited to welcome guest blogger Honorée Fanonne Jeffers. Honorée is an award-winning poet and fiction writer who’s been blogging on culture since 2009. Her most recent book of poetry is Red Clay Suite.
Usually, my blog posts deal with African American community or political issues, and I talk as one cultural insider to another cultural insider.
However, I’ve realized that sometimes, well-meaning, really nice White people (of which there are many, by the way) want Black folks to talk to them in non-angry, non-confrontational, and patient ways about Black cultural issues they don’t understand.
So I wondered if it might be useful for me to write blog posts that break racial things down for good White folks who mean no harm—and who either have Black friends or are in the midst of acquiring friendships with Black people—and are just trying to navigate these racial waters that ironically (and to me, bewilderingly) have become far more treacherous since the election of our first Black president.
Sidebar: I use “race” as a shorthand because that word usually means “Black” or “People of Color” to White people. But really, “race” is not a real, like, biological thing. It does not exist except in people’s minds. What I actually mean when I say “race” is “culture.”
I hadn’t even planned to post again this week, but I’ve noticed the online furor on Black social media concerning Governor Jan Brewer’s pointing her finger very close to President Barack Obama’s face. The response from White folks? Some are upset, but I get the impression they don’t really understand why we African Americans are so troubled. Some of us are even enraged.
So I thought that it might be time to write a Teachable Racial Moment post.
Ok, here goes: If you are wise, you will not ever put your finger–or your whole hand– in a Black person’s face, unless you know you want to immediately engage in a knock down, drag out, fight-to-the-concrete physical brawl. It’s actually a well-known signal for “let’s fight right this moment” in the Black community. When I say “ever” I mean not in this present lifetime, or even after death, if you encounter another Black angel in Heaven. Because that angel is still liable to get into it with you and risk being de-winged.
I don’t know when the finger point in the face became such a grave insult to Black folks, but it has been for at least 50 years. And what does the gesture mean anyway? It means derision. It means disrespect. And above all, it means power to the pointer.
Sidebar: Have you ever seen a mother (of any cultural background) in the mall with her disobedient toddler? She finally gets exasperated and leans down and begins to scold the child—by pointing her finger in his or her face. And what happens? The toddler starts crying, and then gets it together and starts behaving better. Thus, the finger point in the face is not a gesture between equals. She who does the pointing is establishing herself as a superior to the person being pointed at.
Okay, and now, I’m about to reveal a Racial Secret. Are you ready? I’m going to put this in italics so you really get it.
Because the finger point gesture establishes superiority, the gesture is even worse if a White person does it to a Black person, due to the history in this country of White supremacist violence and cultural demeaning of Black folks.
Nice Non-Racist White folks, this may seem silly to y’all. And I get that. Right now, you may be saying, “Dang, Black folks got too many rules! It’s so hard to keep up with y’all!” That’s true. I won’t deny it. So many rules, even I have a hard time keeping up.
But consider that, individually, we all have rules that help create a space in which we are happy.
For example, I despise egg whites. (No racial pun intended here, I promise.) I will eat whole scrambled eggs willingly, or baked into cookies, cakes, etcetera, but if given a boiled egg, I will only eat the yolk. The thought of an egg white omelet is one that moves me almost to physical pain. It’s so slimy and disgusting.
So one day, I was visiting my mama and she was making potato salad. And she was chopping up boiled egg whites to mix into the potato salad. Now I live to eat my mama’s potato salad. Nobody makes it better. So I was watching her chop up those egg whites and I felt tears come to my eyes, because I knew I wasn’t going to eat that potato salad with those egg whites in it. I was so disappointed and I felt really betrayed, too.
Mama looked up and saw my face and said quietly, “Honi, you know I already made your potato salad without the whites, darling. It’s sitting in the refrigerator right now.”
That’s what I mean.
Mama could have said, “Look, get over it. I’m not making two separate potato salads to please your rusty grown behind. What am I, your personal chef?” But she didn’t. And just like she knows I won’t eat egg whites, I know she despises the dark meat of chicken and I’d never try to serve a chicken thigh to her. It’s these little things that lead to understanding between two people.
And this leads us back to Governor Jan Brewer. After she pointed her finger in President Obama’s face she followed up in a media interview by saying she “felt threatened” by him. But remember when I said above that the finger point in the face was both an aggressive act and one attempting to establish superiority?
If anyone felt threatened, it would be President Obama, threatened by Governor Brewer’s attempt to not only belittle him, but also because he probably suspected that later, she’d try to flip the racial script on him. Which she most certainly did.
Here’s that flipped script: she, the Little Helpless White Lady, felt afraid of him, a Big Ole Scary Black Man. (Refer to the film, Birth of a Nation if you aren’t familiar with this tired script. It’s only a bit more tired–and dangerous–than the Big-Breasted Loving Black Mammy Who Lives To Take Care of White Folks Kids With No Pay script in Gone With The Wind.)
So, let me get this straight.
Governor Brewer felt afraid of President Obama. She felt threatened by him. After she poked her finger in his face and attempted to humiliate him. And let’s not forget this was going on in front of cameras.
Yeah, okay. I completely believe her.
This flipped racial script of Governor Brewer is very old, and has several versions, but it has proven useful throughout the years for the shell game of White supremacy, as when a Black man was lynched whenever a White woman accused him of looking at her funny.
I’m not playing here mentioning the funny look. It was the unofficial law of “reckless eyeballing” created by White southerners, and many a southern Black man swung at the end of a rope for committing that supposed crime. The case of Emmett Till was a variation of “reckless eyeballing,” because he whistled at a White woman and ended up murdered.
Just because President Obama doesn’t talk about that racial script doesn’t mean he isn’t well aware of our nation’s troubled history concerning White women and Black men, which is why he walked away from Governor Brewer. I’m pretty sure that, as a Black man, he was angered by her culturally transgressive act, but he had the presence of mind to get himself together before he broke all the way fool on the tarmac with that lady and not only ended up in jail, but went down in history as 1) the first Black president and 2) the first president who physically assaulted a woman in public.
But he saved himself, because President Obama is an Old School Brother. And it is never acceptable for an Old School Brother to hit a woman, whether or not she has committed an act of aggression. And let me tell you that you don’t really want to know what would have happened if Governor Brewer had pointed her finger in the face of another Black man—not an Old School Brother but one of these Young Knuckleheads With No Sense.
Eh, Lord, it would have been so ugly. And that’s all I’m going to say.
Polite, kind, respectful, self-controlled, and full of common sense: that’s how Old School Brothers get down. And by the way, that’s why I really adore them. And that’s why, despite the fact that President Obama hasn’t been a perfect leader (at least in my opinion), as a Sister, I feel extremely proud of him. And I bet Mrs. Obama does, too.
Read more of Honoree’s blog posts here.
February 1st, 2012 at 6:42 am
As do I, feel proud of our President. Good post. Thanks.
February 1st, 2012 at 9:15 am
I am proud of our classy president as well, who’s fine mind and discipline allows him to exercise restraint instead of reacting to that stupid woman’s obvious insult. I wouldn’t wag my finger that way at my husband, a child, or my dog, much less the President of The United States. Her politics make me “feel threatened”. I didn’t know that gesture was more toxic to the black community than the rest of us. Thanks again to President Obama for once again, taking the high road.
February 1st, 2012 at 11:55 am
I see how the rude pointing of a finger in anyone’s face, is threatening and a cowardly attempt at oneupmanship, but pointing at the President, regardless of race, that’s just crazy. Why this president is disrespected over and over again smacks of racism to me. Most recently, ol’ Newt called Obama the Entertainer in Chief because of the wonderful make-you-smile moment when the Prez sang some of Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together. Conservatives need to get a life and a sense of humor for goodness sake! Thanks for this great post and point of view.
February 1st, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Wow-it appears that even Really Nice Black people will find an insult in anything that Really Nice White people do. I get the power thing but really-do you honestly think that Jan Bewer would NOT have waved her finger in the face of a white guy? Of course she would have. It does happen that I oppose President Obama’s policies but try to understand this–it has NOTHING to do with his race (culture).
February 1st, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Cathy—-ol Newt? Why, how disrespectful of you! Smacks of ageism to me.
February 1st, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Oh Sally, ol’Newt is more like “good ol’ boy Newt” not old Newt. But you’re kidding right?
February 1st, 2012 at 3:34 pm
sally, you are, if i may so politely, clueless about racial politics and the history of race in america.
February 1st, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Generally speaking, no president in the history of this country has been disrespected like Obama has. Examples abound. And I do think it stems from racism. That being said, I’m black and I feel like finger wagging in anyone’s face is highly insulting, no matter what your race or culture. So even though I think her behavior does stem from racism, I’m not sure I agree that black people are more offended than others by it. Meanwhile, if we’re going to judge from that picture alone, if there was a balloon above Obama’s head, looks to me like he’s thinking, “Oh, you felt threatened? Lady, your obvious fear of anything black is really amusing.” Mr. Cool And Calm as usual.
February 1st, 2012 at 5:17 pm
Carine, I respectfully offer that Bill Clinton suffered the same orchestrated “we will eradicate you and anything you attempt to do, no less” as Obama, from day one. And for exactly the same reasons with the exception of overt or covert racism. This is what that Republican Party does. Like most people, they do what’s always worked for them in the past. Not this time, interestingly – hence the hilarious mess of the GOP primary. However, the most interesting thing about the present train wreck of the Republican primary is that the lead instigator of Kill Bill in 1998-1999 is the lead instigator of hate in 2011-2012. That is, hate and hypocrisy. Thank you for your consistently original, and wonderful, insights and writing.
February 1st, 2012 at 9:11 pm
This snapshot showcases President Obama’s intrinsic good nature, his grace under pressure and his insistence on being the president FOR all Americans, even the most intractable, obtuse and ignorant ones.
As an avid reader of American history, however, I do not think that l’affaire de Brewer is anything new to American politics or an act that is particularly or intrinsically racist. Low-information, fearful and hate-filled citizens and non-citizens alike have taken verbal and real potshots at presidents since John Adams moved in the newly built White House in the late 1790s. And the presidents whose policies threaten to loosen the stranglehold that oil & gas enterprises, insurance & investment companies, big pharma & chemical enterprises have on the American economy are the most vulnerable to being attacked or having some wacko wag a finger in their faces.
What is new, however, is the ability of ubiquitous media coverage along with the viral nature of social media to expose bad behavior (or bad singing) in a heartbeat–and fan the flames of discussion about such behavior indefinitely.
Imagine if the very first lynching of a Black American had been broadcast and shared the way this tarmac temper tantrum has been. Although we can never know, chances are the outrage over the inhumanity, the violence and the shameful criminality of that lynching act would have squelched the entire lynching and torture “industry” that held the South locked in a cycle of vicious depravity for decades. Chances are that Emmett Till would be a name nobody knows instead of one that is synonymous with one of our country’s most hideous and reprehensible periods.
February 2nd, 2012 at 6:04 am
Tim-Just as respectfully, might I say…when you are a hammer, everything looks like a nail. When you are black, everything looks like racism.
February 2nd, 2012 at 11:05 am
I have spent a great deal of time teaching, tutoring and mentoring African-American kids in South Central Los Angeles. I feel strongly that Ms. Jeffer’s perspective and observations are accurate, as they relate to the angry responses emanating from the Black American community about this finger waving incident. It doesn’t take much to spark an altercation among an angry, impoverished, frustrated and marginalized community. I assure you, an eye roll or a wrong look can spark a shooting. I kid you not. It’s hard to understand, but it’s true. I’m sure Obama took it in stride and behaved cooly as prescribed. Obama is not representative of the average inner city Black American in any way, shape or form. I also feel that this sort of ignorance, disrespect and finger pointing has taken place throughout American (or world) history. It is, as Prudence points out, magnified by the media. A close reading of Mark Twain’s “Huck FInn,” will illuminate the racial divide, mob mentality and utter ignorance of certain white, self-serving, corrupt factions in America. The finger pointing will continue. It always does. Thank you for a great piece of writing.
February 2nd, 2012 at 12:42 pm
In response to M.’s comment about Bill Clinton, I agree that they were out to get him no matter what (just as they are with Obama), but the Office of the President was never disrespected as it has been since Obama entered the White House.
February 2nd, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Amen, Carine.
Take for instance, President Obama’s recent video chat on Google +. Would the bimbo who asked Obama to “dance a jig” when she was done complaining about her husband’s unemployment have ever–EVER–asked W or Clinton or even Reagan (who was a professional actor) to dance a jig????
Who did she think she was talking to? Amos? Or Andy?
Barack Obama is the President of the United States, arguably the most powerful man alive on the planet. He also happens to be African-American. He is not some Negro performer in a minstrel show put on for the entertainment of out-of-touch white people. I can only think that she must be a shill for Karl Rove’s American Crossroads or some Koch Bros. super pac. So disgusting.
February 2nd, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Great examples, ladies, but looking back I believe Clinton was just as disrespected, in other ways.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:50 pm
it isnt just the finger pointing that makes one suspect brewer is some kind of racist. its the fact, as honore wrote, that she felt “threatened” by him. in what way? was he going to knock her gnarly ass down on the tarmac? or was he going to send in federal troops and have her put under house arrest? perhaps, aha, she felt he wanted her… and god, momma and robert e. lee forgive her, she wanted him. she could feel her heart pounding, beating wildly as the powerful negro looked down upon her frail white form with his flashing, threatening eyes. she pointed her trembling finger at him, warning him to stay back, not to dare touch her…. oh sorry, i got carried away there. lets just forget it, race had nothing to do with her feeling “threatened”. black people are just paranoid.
February 3rd, 2012 at 6:35 am
We should all feel threatened by him. Not because he’s half black but because he’s 100& Socialist.
February 3rd, 2012 at 7:26 am
Thanks for showing your cards, Sally. BTW, water is a good alternative to kool aid. And less caloric. But I wouldn’t want to recommend you drink something healthier–or even educate yourself with facts, for that matter–because that would be socialism, right?
February 3rd, 2012 at 6:30 pm
“when you are a hammer everything looks like a nail” – human beings are far more intelligent, sensitive, observant and intuitive than are nails. When you are hard-headed you hammer away at the same point, refusing to listen to the stories being told to you, and refusing to consider that you (we all) have room to learn and grow.
As a light-skinned person married 23 years to a dark-skinned person, I can tell you that racism IS alive and well. I have observed, and experienced, some ugly things when in the company of my dark-skinned partner; things that NEVER happen to me when alone or in the company of light-skinned people. Things that NEVER happen to light-skinned people. Period. I could write a treatise on what I’ve learned about “race” these last 23 years, but I don’t have the time or energy. I just hope that Americans will make efforts toward understanding; and listen with a calm mind and open heart when someone takes the time & makes the effort to inform you, as Ms. Jeffers has generously done.
February 28th, 2012 at 8:46 am
Let me start by saying that I consider myself a “really nice white person” and am an enthusiastic supporter of President Obama. And I ask that all thoughtful people read all of my comments before reacting to the first sentence or two.
As a RNWP, I appreciate Ms. Jeffer’s efforts to help us understand some subtleties of what could be construed as racist or offensive behavior. We need to remember that while our intentions may not be racist, the people on the receiving end of our behavior and language have a different perspective and may indeed be offended. We RNWP need to continue to try to understand and empathize with those different perspectives. And we need to remember that not everyone is a RNWP. There are still far too many racists amongst us.
However, I am disheartened at the state of life in the US, when this example is used for that lesson. Nothing subtle here to be clarified.
As a thinking person, I am amazed and ashamed that anyone could not realize that finger waving at ANYONE is enormously disrespectful. To wave your finger at the President of the United States can’t be anything but intentionally disrespectful, and I suspect in this case comes from a not too hidden racism. But then, President Obama was also called a liar on the floor of Congress.
President Clinton was hugely disrespected but the behavior and disrespect aimed at President Obama has taken that disrespect to an all new, despicable level and I believe that is a result of racism.
And for Gov. Brewer to say she felt threatened by the President, anywhere, let alone in a public place is outrageous, inflammatory, insulting and yes, racist. Intentionally so. If not, what teeny, tiny, stupid part of her brain made her utter such nonsense?
As for the “explanation” that the President’s policies (socialist?!?!?!?) make him threatening enough to deserve a finger in the face, well all I can do is sigh once again and lament the stupidity around us.
My sincerest Thank you to Ms. Jeffers and other Really Nice People of Color (or different cultures) for trying to educate some of us. Sadly, I think the RNWP will be the only ones listening (and hopefully learning).
I long for the education and persuasive ability to change the hearts and minds of the racists and kool-aid drinkers who are willfully deaf, ignorant and, yes, hateful. Until we can do that, the nail will continue to feel like a nail. And it will be the fault of all of us who stay silent.