Rep. Cynthia McKinney

First, read This.

Okay, now that we have the 'hair' issue out of the way - and I have to admit, when I was watching the press conference about Rep. McKinney's scuffle at the White House, even I was like,' girl, ya need to comb that hair.' And then I thought, what difference does it really make? Really? After all, she is the representative of Georgia, give the woman some respect. Suddenly, a lighting bolt struck my living room window and lit up my computer. After convulsing for a few seconds from the electric shock coursing through my veins, I came to and slowly realized this was not the Utopian fantasy world that I had entered for a hot second, this was North America where hair is ( for black women ) still an issue as to how we are perceived.

But this isn't about hair, really. It is about a woman who for the third time, was not recognized as a Congresswoman when entering the White House. I can understand her frustration and a police officer putting his hands on her (apparently he tapped her - he didn't grab her) and I can understand her response. First, there are some who can't tell us apart, unless we are celebrities and sometimes that doesn't matter either. The cop could of just said,' excuse me' and followed her until she turned around, but he didn't.

It is the lack of respect for a Black woman's body that leads people to think that they can touch you when you do not want to be touched, that your body is not respected, like strangers wanting to touch your hair, men rubbing up on you in 'da club, or the patronizing hand / shoulder-tap from a stranger when it was not needed or asked for. I got an interesting comment on a previous post from Quincy who recounted a story about a Toronto cab driver who hit her during an argument about his driving.This would not happen to a white woman. Period. If it did, the cops would have been all over the guy's ass.  The issue is that people do not treat black women with the same respect.

Apparently, McKinney has been cited a few times for 'innappropriate' behaviour during Congress sessions, I.E speaking her mind. Even folks from Georgia were embarrassed by previous comments she had made in the media, because she was not acting like a Condeleeza Rice - woman. Didn't they just arrest the deputy Press Secretary for the U.S Department of Homeland Security, Brian Doyle for trying to seduce a 14 year-old (undercover cop) online? And he wasn't fired - he is on Administrative Leave without pay, which means if he can wiggle himself out of the charges, he could potentially get his job back, or have the option to resign, which he probably will. He'll probably get less criticism about that than McKinney will - and apparently they want to charge her for assaulting a cop?

The above article I linked to - besides the idiot who called McKinney a 'ghetto slut' is troublesome, at the very least. But as the writer noted, this is an indication of what they think about us, regardless of what we do, how educated we are, how well we dress - hell, there are rumours about Rice having an affair with Bush. But the more people can call you a ghetto slut for your appearance, the more I want to buck the system. Because the more you stray from conformity, the better you feel. Sure there are haters - people of colour who care so much about please a group of people that couldn't give a shit - but personally, I would rather be on my deathbed with the satisfaction that I lived my life being who I am - with all my quirks and eccentricities, than having to conform to a society that will judge you regardless of what accomplishments you have achieved.

Comments

[Agronomyiw]

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[Celeste]

First, Neal Boortz is NOT representative of what most white people think, secondly, Cynthia McKinney has to obey the law like everyone else. She simply thinks she doesn't have to because she IS a black woman.

[Mon]

I truly love this post.

[Trula]

Oh my, this is so true. Great post!

[Veronica]

ditto on the hair thing...my long dredlocks seem to invite many wandering hands...i've never understood why people think that's ok.

and on the congresswoman..i recently read a statement from her on this incident and it saddens me to know that the more things change the more they stay the same. i mean i *knew* that but when its continually brought to light, its hard. i try to be an optimist and think that the human race can and will get past dumb shit like this but i know it won't happen in my or my children's lifetimes. maybe never.

Bravo to her for standing up for herself and not letting folks gloss over the real issues...

[Kendall Ridley]

"It is the lack of respect for a Black woman's body that leads people to think that they can touch you when you do not want to be touched, that your body is not respected, like strangers wanting to touch your hair, ..."

About two weeks ago, this white chick in my theater group (I'm new) started touching my hair (natural, blown out, curled -- big!). She was behind me, so I didn't see her coming. When I felt her touch, I recoiled and told her not to touch my hair without permission. She seemed completely clueless and made it seem like I was being hypersensitive. Clearly, her actions bothered me. I am not some sideshow attraction or museum piece on exhibit for her. It's demeaning.

They just don't get it.

[Rod Amis]

Thanks for this post. You bring up a lot of valid issues that too many people don't see.

Good work!

Cheers,
RA