In what was another racist editorial from The Huffington Post, black writer Brandi Miller told white allies on the left to know their place. The OP-Ed is titled “If You Want To Be An Effective Ally, Be Quiet And Know Your Place”.
Over the last few years of movements for equality, many white people and people with privilege have sought to become allies, people who protect and speak up for those who are oppressed and marginalized. Allyship, while seemingly helpful, often devolves into focusing on white stories, diminishing the struggle of people of color. Frankly, allyship is by nature self-congratulatory and dependent on the praise of the marginalized. Wakanda had no use or praise for a special white savior (in fact, they saved the white people), which adds to what makes “Black Panther†so revolutionary.
This part is racist. She is pointing the finger at one group of people(white people) and claiming they have some sort of privilege just for being born. She is also claiming that one group of people, based strictly on skin color, should act a certain way.
Being an ally is less about the liberation of people of color and more about showering the ally with praise.
This one quote is also extremely racist. She is opening saying that White Peoples opinion’s don’t matter and they should blindly praise someone just because they are African American.
The lesson of “Black Panther†for white allies is this: They must learn to be the sidekick, to be at the fringe, to give up power, to have people of color in their ears directing them on how to be useful in fighting for the cause of justice.
At the end of the day, Ross’ redemption is that he keeps engaging over and over again and is useful when he needs to be under the leadership and glory of black women. He is a model of a co-conspirator, one who, however he ended up in the room, turned from the posture of defensiveness, fragility and superiority and instead became a useful agent in the cause.
It is the epitome of white supremacy culture to need a white hero in order to celebrate the liberation of people of color.
White allies in film and media are typically framed as sympathetic, cost-bearing heroes, ahead of their time and paragons to emulate (see Al Harrison, “Hidden Figuresâ€). It is the epitome of white supremacy culture to need a white hero in order to celebrate and engage with the liberation and courage of people of color.
Allyship often comes with an invisible and unearned badge that gives a pass (or at least entitlement) to a person’s own problematic racism and moves the conversation from the oppressed to the one who intervened. The work becomes less about the liberation of people of color and more about showering the ally with praise.
You should take one lesson away from this Op-Ed from The Huffington Post. That Lesson is that the far-left are the true racists in this country. The fact that no leftists have even considered calling this article out is truly gross. This isn’t veiled racism this is true racism and has no place not being called out.
WATCH:
HuffPo writer tells White people to shutup and know your place https://t.co/jEK6UVqAmA
— Jacob Palmieri (@jakepalmieri) February 26, 2018
