Ralph Ellison wrote an award-winning novel many years back that became a staple in colleges, fueling discussions on race, and advancing a dialog critical to the way the races have come to understanding their respective places in a society that has for years relegated blacks to the back of the bus, and rendered them "invisible."But not anymore.
WASHINGTON—A majority of African-Americans surveyed in a nationwide poll this week reported feeling "deeply disturbed" and "more than a little weirded out" by all the white people now smiling at them.
First witnessed shortly after President Obama's historic victory, the open and cheerful smiling has only continued in recent months, leaving members of the black community completely unnerved.
"On behalf of black people across this nation, I would like to say to our white brethren, 'Please stop looking at us like that,'" said Brown University psychology professor Dr. Stanley Carsons. "We're excited Barack is president, too, and we're glad you're happy for us. But giving us the thumbs up for no reason, or saying hello whenever we walk by, is really starting to freak us out."
Added Carsons, "We just want to be able to stand in line at Home Depot without getting patted on the back."
To say that this amuses me would be an understatement. For some blacks it's not a laughing matter. It's as though one grand joke is being playing on us, or a plot for a new movie. We have always been here. We have actually fought in every American war--one of ours becoming the first fatality in the Revolutionary War, a certain Crispus Attucks, by name.
Here we're seeing the "transformative power" of one man, one that many in the country have tied their hopes to, hoping he will bring back a level of dignity and respect to the White House.
Now, many whites are seeing us in the way that they see Obama, through a kind of Obama lens. We're being reaccessed. Maybe we can do more than shuffle, say Yes Suh, and No Suh, and have actual ideas, and something intelligent and witty to say.
Black is now in, at least for the time being. I'm not sure how long the aura is going to last, or whether this new courtship will get past that critical ninety-days stage.
But for the time being, blacks should revel in their new-found attention, if not fame, and use the moment to advantage in a sort of Rod Blagojevich kind of way--the moment is just too golden to throw away.
Perhaps we should now seek out that loan that was denied us because of redlining, or because our color didn't inspire trust.
And if there's a white neighborhood you have always wanted to move into, but were afraid of an additional lawn ornament, such as a burning cross or two, now is the time seek out that white realtor and go for it.
And during these recessionary times maybe you should ask for that raise that's been denied you over the years, or, if unemployed, now's the time to approach that white establishment personnel officer which a resume.
"According to the poll, more than 92 percent of African-Americans have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of beaming Caucasians in their vicinity, as well as a marked rise in the instances of white people making direct eye contact with them on the bus, engaging them in pleasant conversation, and warmly gazing in their general direction with a mix of wonder, pride, and profound contentment.
"All respondents reported being "petrified" by the change.
"Yesterday, I'm pretty sure the cashier at the Giant Eagle winked at me," said Eddie Wilkes, a Pittsburgh resident who described himself as "not a politics person." "Then she said something about what a happy day it was and tried to bump fists. The whole thing gave me the willies."
"I can't even be at a bar anymore if they have the news on," said Chicago native and small business consultant Jarell Brown. "Obama gives a speech on the economy and people act like my team just won the Super Bowl. I didn't even vote for the guy. I'm a Libertarian."
Perhaps I've gone too far with the employment thing, but you get my point. Strike while the iron is hot. We don't know how long this courtship is going to last. Next week we may be back to being black and invisible again.
Here's the unvarnished truth: We're more comfortable with white hate than with white love. We've never had the opportunity to experience it that much over the years. We saw Jackie Robinson called names and spat on, and Cassius Clay hated on by whites.
This new love thing is a little hard to get used to, but we needn't worry, for every up there's a down--Obama's ascension has also increased membership in the various hate groups dotting the landscape. They're working hard to keep our feet on the ground, and not allowing all this new white love to go to our collective heads.
I forget: Is today April First?
