Recently, the University of Alabama endured quite a dilemma in regard to inappropriate comments aimed towards individuals of African-American descent. Simply said, a white student used a racial slur against a black student. Definitely not on my cool list.
Let me first dispel any validity in the argument that if African-Americans use the “N word,” it gives everyone the right to do so. In conversations, ladies have the tendency to call one another slurs. This may not be the most endearing way to refer to your best friend forever, but it is used nonetheless.
Now, if you heard two ladies say this to one another, please visually gauge their reaction if you walked up and began a conversation in the same manner. You’re not proving a point that if one person says it, all should be able to say it. You’re not fighting for free speech or the equality of verbal language. You’re just worming through the rhetoric and logic of a racist.
The use of racial slurs has happened on many occasions, but one of the main notions generated from situations such as these always leaves me adequately annoyed. When any act of prejudice or discrimination occurs, you can expect the black community to produce an uproar. It is expected and it is justified. What I do not like from the upheaval is the immediate classification of all white people under an overreaching bluegrass country, racist umbrella.
During times of immediate crisis or racial upheaval, individuals quickly focus blame on others. This is understandable, especially when speaking in terms of those victimized. Unfortunately, blame is most often overextended.
In this case the blame was delegated to the Panhellenic/Interfraternity Council Greek system and then the on-campus white population in general. It is true when an individual makes an egregious decision you can map back his background to a larger, more intricate system which he or she can be defined by, but the entirety of the problem cannot be displaced on a system or, more specifically, on a race.
It’s the equivalent of someone linking one African-American’s decision to rob a store to the entire culture, or relating one Islamic individual’s decision to commit acts of terrorism to the entire religion.
It’s unfounded and has little substance. Specific people must be held accountable, not entire groups. Extreme prejudice, hostility or racism must not be pinned on an entire culture.
I say this with an asterisk beside my words. A culture still has the capability to breed problems. Racism is not inherent. Somewhere along the spectrum prejudice based on skin color is taught. Let’s just not forget there are those people who actively fight against racism as diligently as the African-American populace.
Still, for those teetering on the spectrum, quietly pondering whether your dislike based on another person’s skin color is acceptable, walk outside the intellectually incestuous group you live within. You’ll find an atmosphere of tolerance quite unexpected at the University of Alabama. Contrary to the microcosm you have been raised in or have found sanctum with, racial slurs and bigotry are not prized possessions students at this University hold with pride.
For my fellow African-Americans, do not forget that lumping together an entire race or culture based on the actions of one or a few makes you just as intolerant as those who have always held our ancestry against us. One of the biggest steps towards progression is the ability to teeter away from hypocrisy. We cannot allow ourselves to succumb to the same harmful thoughts another individual harbors. More importantly, we cannot allow similar actions to be repeated in retaliation. All validity in an argument or belief is lost when those who stand behind it lose their own credibility through harmful decisions.
Most of all, just remember. It’s not everyone.
Xavier Burgin is a junior majoring in interdisciplinary studies and film production. His column runs biweekly on Fridays.
