Social Construct Gone Bad- A response to Thandie Newton's speech

"...The thing that was a source of shame was actually a source of enlightenment. And when I realized and really understood that my self is a projection and that it has a function, a funny thing happened. I stopped giving it so much authority. I give it its due. I take it to therapy. I've become very familiar with its dysfunctional behavior. But I'm not ashamed of myself. In fact, I respect my self and its function. And over time and with practice, I've tried to live more and more from my essence. And if you can do that, incredible things happen. “-Thandie Newton: Embracing otherness, embracing myself

A few people in my life have described me as pro Black, an Angela Davis type, you know, Afrocentric. And for some, actually that is a bad thing and for others it’s a pride thing. But for me, it's reality. I am a Black American, and no one will let me forget it.

Race is a social construct. It was created to help identify and classify people. A technicality gone bad. Now many people profit from race or as some call the race card. Black movies, Black music, Black restaurants, Black malls, Black schools, Black churches, you get where I am going. In some twisted way, race is sometimes used as being unique, special, and a style... different. Now, it's labeled as acting Black or having swag. Although being Black is called a different name each decade, it’s the same to most, being non-White.

Blacks, which include Africans and West Indies, and Latinos, have race classes; you have to check specifically who you are, African American/Black, unlike Asians or Europeans, they are classed and socially considered White Americans. There are different arguments as to why this is and some simply say it’s only for the census- public records. I understand its more consequences to a classification because I have experienced the difference being Black can make.

So if race is only a social construct, and culture and nationality are true identifiers of persons, why study and debate civil rights, especially for minorities (yet another label), specifically Black Americans? Understanding oneself, and the oneness we have with the world is a higher level of consciousness. A concept not easily attained in such a race laden world. I am not applying enlightenment is only attainable for an elite few, yet it is difficult to grasp. Once you give up your race, or gender, or cla$$, school affiliation and religious denomination... then, who are you? Self-discovery can be a painful process. Peeling back layers takes emotional and intelligence maturity and sheer will. And if one has an epiphany, because seeing oneself as authentic and not as a stereotype is true revelation, others may not understand and disconnect because they can’t see their image in you.

Thandie Newton has caught my eye and ear lately. I can relate to her process of self-discovery, her conflict with self and being "other". I don't know if the world will ever make it an easy process. Polarizing race is profitable. The love of money is warring with the love of oneness, connection, human and social capital. Nevertheless, it's divine to live free and true, as one. And it’s a journey worth taking, even with Black being my que card.