The current trend is to post a picture of yourself wearing a hoodie in defense of Trayvon Martin. I'm not doing that. You know why? Because I am white and, in spite of what Geraldo Rivera would have us believe, it's not about the hoodie. Should anyone see me wearing a hoodie, once they see my face, they will not shoot me.
I am not Trayvon Martin. I have never been Trayvon Martin. I will never be Trayvon Martin. Other white women, for whatever struggles we may face due to our gender ~ and Goddess knows we are facing them right now ~ are not and never will be Trayvon Martin. To imply otherwise isn't standing with him; it's insulting him, and every other black face under a hoodie.
March. Protest. Write. Call. Demand. Insist. Donate. But do not post a picture of your white face under a hoodie and call it support. At least I won't be. Because once they see your white face, they will not shoot you ~ and that makes all the difference.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
10 comments:
I get what you're saying. And it's good food for thought. I do offer this counter point: I'm a straight white male. Does that mean I can't stand up and voice my disdain for racial or gender inequality? Does it mean I can't strap on a pink bra and walk in a Breast Cancer walk? Or that I can't join in a rainbow march? No, I'll never know what it's like to be a black man, a woman with breast cancer or gay. If I decide to toss on a hoodie, I'm saying "THAT'S BULLSHIT!" I'm saying Dr King's dream isn't realized yet. I'm saying another member of the human race was killed and it was ignored. And while I do think someone should be allowed to remind me "hey, you're a straight white male, you'll never understand my pain." I hope instead they will say, "Thanks for being here and showing your support."
(on a side-note: I'm not wearing a hoodie because I think people tend to get all up in these fad protests and forget about them in a week. I want justice for Treyvon Martin too. I'm just not sure what my changing my FB picture will do to make that happen.)
LRNS ~ Not at all. Read all the way through. I even say "March. Protest. Write. Call. Demand. Insist. Donate." There are MANY respectful and helpful ways for those of us with privilege to stand up against bullshit. This, imo, just doesn't happen to be one.
This case is so touchy and so obviously an example of a problem with existing laws and practices, I am not really sure how to respond. How about... gated communities with armed guards is dumb. Anywhere. For any reason. Of course, what do I know, there's no crime or racism or gangs in Canada, right?
I look like an idiot in a hoodie....I agree, it was not the hoodie. To point to one article of clothing and say that is why what happened happened is demeaning.
I wore a hoodie. Because I was cold. I had no idea it was hoodie day for Martin. I was... just cold.
Why has the shooter not been charged?
Bill ~ "Demeaning" is a good word.
GOML! ~ Why has he not been charged... This is the question we all want an answer to, as well.
Dear well meaning white people: Standing up for people of color and battling racism IS a good thing. We ENCOURAGE you to take action. WE EXPECT YOU TO TAKE ACTION.
Just be respectful in your intent and execution. That's all we're saying.
Neo-Prodigy ~ "We expect you to take action." As well you should. "Just be respectful in your intent and execution." As well we should.
I have to say that I agree with you here. I put on my hoodie and looked in my bedroom mirror. All I saw was a goofy 45 year old white male that no one would ever see as threatening or suspicious. I chose not to post a pic of this because it felt disrespectful - as if I was co-opting a symbol that I had no right to.
Symbolism can be a complicated beast - Intent is important.
Perhaps many see the hoodie much the same as wearing a colored ribbon for various causes... I just can't.
GSH ~ We're in the same place. I would add that while intent is important, absolutely, impact is also important. People need to be aware of both ~ which is exactly what you were doing, and I appreciate it.
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