When I grow up, I wanna be a cultural critic. In the meantime, at college I'm practising with a literary criticism course. This is my space to post both full and excerpted assignments to promote readers to think and discuss the issues. I'm warning you right now, I point fingers.

This time 'round it's...

Representing Race or "No, I'm NOT a 'Nigga'"

Who has the right to represent me, as far as my ethnicity is concerned? Maybe the answer to that question depends on how deep the person wants to go into my experiences.

To a certain extent, I know there are general experiences which every human will be able to empathise with. Consider the idea of heartbreak. In intimate relationships the prospect of pain exists. But it's interesting how a person's skin colour can add a twist to the simplest of human situations.

For instance, it's one thing to have to end a relationship because of interpersonal problems. It's quite another for a liaison to dissolve because your partner is so insecure that he can't handle what others will say because your complexion isn't the "proper" colour.

To capture the depth of the pain felt by one of the Oppressed, I say you'd have to be one of two persons: One of The Oppressed, or someone who is aware of the plight of these people in intimate detail. In writing or other forms of media I believe this is the only way to accurately depict the experience of "other". (My perspective on "other" in this case extends to abuse victims, the handicapped, homosexual, and other persons considered "different" than average members of society.)

When considering the issue of race and representation, I can’t resist thinking of how minorities are represented in the popular media.

Historically, the depiction of people of colour has been atrocious.

Non-whites want to be considered in the same light as Caucasians because of a principle I mentioned in my previous entry on gender. We want to be considered whole, not fractured beings. We want to be taken seriously and considered real in the eyes of members of other cultures. However, instead, members of various minority groups are often depicted as one-note caricatures. For instance, think of how Natives were portrayed in old movies. They were either a) obsessed with killing whites and raping white women or b) mystics, in touch with the spirit world. Not to mention the fact that I've seen Native characters played by "painted" white actors…

Then there are Asians, Blacks, and Latinos who face the same media fate.

In response to these limited examples, I notice that the reaction of ignorant Caucasians seems twofold. Generally speaking, they consider non-whites as people whom they must either a) laugh at, especially as we're portrayed as charmingly naïve or uneducated, or b) fear and loathe, because we're hopelessly violent. In either case, one message is sent to Caucasians about members of other cultures via the media: Don't take These People seriously.

Narrowing my example I must ask you to consider the following issue: Is it any wonder that the only types of television shows that have a predominantly African-American cast are situation comedies?

In the minds of many, these shows are degrading, a vivid throwback to the days of the Black Minstrel, making merry to please the demands of his White Master.

And now I can comment on a trend I notice among some African American comics. I relish the opportunity to say something about "Nigger" jokes. A while ago I went to a comedy club and saw Comic X. The announcer apparently thought Comic X was brilliant as he mocked the plight of black (North) Americans. Not only did he refer to them (us) facing stereotypical circumstances—he kept calling African-Americans "Niggers". Needless to say, this made me ill. There's nothing noble in my mind about "appropriating the language of the oppressor".

By adopting derogatory terminology for oneself, and finding joy in stereotypical behaviour, aren’t comics such as Comic X doing little more than endorsing bigots’ "reasons" to despise minorities? In my mind, by laughing at stereotypical humour, people of colour are saying that they see (or there is) truth in the oppressor's sick and twisted perspective.

Little does Comic X realise the damage his humour does. The stereotypes he perpetuates confine people like me, who live non-stereotypical lives. Humour such as his, combined with the fact that its image is enhanced via media endorsements, controls the perceptions of those foolish enough to find his sentiments valid. These "believers" in stereotypical behaviour look at people such as myself as though we’re freaks because we don’t go clubbing every night, or we reveal that we listen to alternative music instead of only R&B. As far as I’m concerned, the real freaks are the ones who believe humans ought to have limits and be confined by them.