Last week, my son made an interesting comment about one of his friends. This is a young black man who has many positive qualities. He dresses conservatively, goes to college and is a conscientious employee. The young man projects an image of success because that is where he wants to go. My son commented that the young man has the attitudes of a white man.

 

It bought to mind the story of Colin Powell who was born in Harlem and raised in the South Bronx. He went to public college, joined the Army, became a General and went to work for the President of the United States. Colin Powell quotes, " Many interviewers when they come to talk to me, think they're being progressive by not mentioning in their stories any longer that I'm black. I tell them, 'Don't stop now. If I shot somebody you'd mention it."

 

Colin Powell does not strike me as being a man who wants to be identified as a black man with white attitudes. I pointed out to my son that some of his fair colored friends dress like hoods and stuff their mouths full of chewing tobacco. This does not project an image of success no matter what color they are.

My son talked about violence in some of the rap music and a particular rap singer called M & M. I pointed out to him that there is also the Jazz and the Blues by Black Artists. My all time favorite is that "feel good" song by Louis Armstrong, "What a Wonderful World."

 

I remember when Timothy N. Stelly, Sr pointed out that the media described Tiger Woods as the "Black" Jack Nicklaus and that is not a nice thing to do at all. It was not something I gave much thought before but he a valid point. Would Colin Powell want to be called the "Black" General Mark Clark. Perhaps we can reserve it and call Elvis Presley the "White" Lou Rawls. The Beatles could be the "White" Platters.

 

Timothy N Stelly Sr respectfully disagreed with my comment that "Ken Hughes was always a positive contributor" because some of his articles are Ken has written many columns that were outright vitriolic and insulting to black people. I remember reading some of the comments but not giving them much thought. I’ve heard these attitudes before but usually quickly change the subject.

 

My son and I had the conversation about his friend’s "white" attitudes because of the Stelly articles that I’ve read. I am certain that my son does not want to be a bigot but it is interesting how we can Inadvertly have bigoted attitudes without even realizing it.