Recently I was reminded the destructive "color lines" that exist within the African American community....even the really smart ones. I was in group setting with graduate students. This group was composed of different ethnicity, me being one of three African Americans. I was moderating a study session and as the session wound down, the tutors and tutees began to get off topic. At one point I heard a student say "I can't believe you didn't know that, ALL Black people know that". Well, that statement definitely perked my attention and I looked up. Noticing that I was now paying attention, one of the students said "Ms. McCray, do you know the musician that came up with X song?" Now, i should state the disclaimer that I really don't listen to top 40/Billboard/radio etc. I'm much more of a NPR/Ipod person. I should also say that I am the WORST in remembering names, and that includes names of musician even if I can see their face as clear as day in my head.
So, being that I did not know this song, i said "No, i don't know who that song is written by", to which a collective "Awwwww Man!!!!" was heard by the others in the group who apparently felt I should know this...I'm black. Then without missing a beat, one of the student said "Well, she doesn't count, she's not Black enough". Ok honestly, this is not the first time I've heard sentiments like this in my direction, but I have to say that I was shocked to have it said to me as an adult.
Like the reading, we are all aware of the power structures that exist within schools and as a high school student I was much happier being considered "smart" vs "cool", because obviously you cant be both. Unfortunately, like the reading, in my school "being smart" was akin to "acting white". I'm not sure where that started, or why that is still prevalent in some schools, but I know it was something I faced in high school, and obviously as an adult, I'm still not "black enough".
Truth be told, I'm happier being smart anyway :)
We must work to teach that race/intelligence/determination/humanity are all independent of each other and one is not apropos to the other.
P.S.
The song in question was written by Stephen Marley and apparently I should've known that because don't all Black people know each other?? (kidding)
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