The Definition of Black

Racism is a very nasty concept. Not only is it detrimental itself, but it also spawned a few other stereotypes that trouble our society to this very day. The one I got interested in is ‘’the definition of black’’. In the US, for example, athletics and entertainment are considered to be ‘’black’’, while things related to academia are often viewed as the prowess of the whites. Or at least, that’s what Mr. William Raspberry, a very respected journalist of the Washington Times, would have us think. Naturally, such a respected writer provided arguments to support his assertions, but in my opinion, they are completely wrong.
In the beginning of his article ’’The Handicap of Definition’’, he lists the cases in which ‘’black’’ is seen as a compliment. He starts off with athletics, namely basketball. Acknowledging the supremacy of black people in basketball would be stating the obvious, and that’s why describing a white man’s game as black is the biggest compliment he can get. I myself see nothing wrong with that. But, what struck me the most is how Mr. Raspberry than proceeds to assume that everything related to athletics is inheritably ‘’black’’. Obviously, this is not true. Take swimming, for example. Not that anyone would actually say this, but unlike Larry Bird, I think that Michael Phelps would have every right to be offended if anybody said he swam ‘’black’’.
The writer’s next example of black as a compliment is related to singing. Here I agree, but only to a certain extent. While there are people like Teena Marie, or maybe Eminem who would be honoured to hear they sounded ‘’black’’, I believe there are also singers who would not accept this as a positive thing. Like with athletics, there are types, or genres, of music at which black people are dominant and better, but at others they are just not.
Let’s take a look at the part where he talks about ‘’black’’ as a negative reference. One of his examples was ‘’tell a white reporter he writes ‘’black’’, and he will take a writing course’’. First of all, what kind of person in their right mind would even say such a thing? There is no such thing as ‘’black’’ or ‘’white’’ writing, there is just writing period. Besides, even if we’d accept that there was in fact a difference between the two, I think that if the roles were reversed, and it was a black person who had been told his writing was white, his reaction would be no different than that of a white man.
‘’Tell a white broadcaster he talks ‘’black’’, and he will take diction lessons’’. While ‘’taking diction lessons’’ is a bit extreme, nobody can deny that there are small differences between Black and standard English. ‘’I’m a answer dat person firs’ ‘’ is the example John McWhorter, professor at the University of California, Berkeley used to describe it. That being said, again I have to say that I don’t think anybody would refer to this as ‘’black talk’’. Besides, TV broadcasters (black and white) are all aware that they can’t speak the same way while broadcasting as they would in a casual conversation with a friend, so I don’t see how this can even be an issue.
Next, the writer explains how pretty much everything related to academia is considered to be ‘’white’’. But, he also points out that ‘’most black youngsters could develop their mathematical reasoning, their elocution and their attitudes the way they develop their jump shots and their dance steps: by the combination of sustained, enthusiastic practice and the unquestioned belief that they can do it’’. I couldn’t agree more. However, the fact that black students in general might not develop this kind of attitude has nothing to do with the ‘’definition of black’’ like Mr. Raspberry suggested. That would mean he that there are actually people who believe that white people are BORN smarter than the black people. I can’t believe that. I refuse to believe that.
And now, let’s take a quick summary of William Raspberry’s examples:
1) Telling a white basketball player his game is ‘’black’’ is a compliment- and it should be. Assuming that everything related to athletics is ‘’black’’ is obviously wrong.
2) Describing a white singer’s music as ‘’black’’ will always be taken as a positive thing- not always true
3) Telling a white writer his writing is ‘’black’’ or telling a white broadcaster he talks ‘’black’’ are fictional issues, as this will never actually happen.
4) There are people who believe that white people are born smarter than the black people. Ridiculous.
All in all, the examples provided as arguments by the writer are flawed. William Raspberry was right about one thing though: black youngsters can achieve anything if they employ ‘’the combination of sustained, enthusiastic practice and the unquestioned belief that they can do it’’.
There is no such thing as the ‘’definition of black’’. The definition of black is only what you make it to be.