I sometimes believe that I may be hyper-biased, critical, and sensitive; however, people have often made me challenge these perceptions and instincts. Too often, my instincts and perceptions have proven to be correct.
Last week in the UK, a criminal committed a terrible atrocity, killing three children. This is horrendous and unimaginably tragic, and my empathy immediately went out to the families and communities affected. Liverpool has always been one of my favourite cities in the United Kingdom; the people there have always been friendly and welcoming.
Regrettably, an intrusive thought interrupted my thinking when I learned about the incident. I caught myself hoping that the perpetrator was not black.
Later that same day, I read a friend’s article on ‘black respectability’ on Instagram.
Below is my response to his discussion of the ‘double consciousness’ in the context of ‘black respectability’. https://www.instagram.com/p/C-BCKCwup_8/?igsh=NGswbjlnNnpiZTBt
I appreciate your valuable insights and wish you the best with your project. I’ve been pondering your remarks about the reporting of crimes in the news. Today, there was distressing news of a stabbing incident in Liverpool. I have to admit that I quietly hoped the perpetrator was not black. I realise that my self-esteem is so fragile that…
