Racial Classification
Tyehimba:
by Cheikh Anta Diop
A racial classification is given to a group of individuals who share a certain number of anthropological traits, which is necessary so that they not be confused with others. There are two aspects which must be distinguished, the phenotypical and genotypical. I have frequently elaborated on these two aspects.
If we speak only of the genotype, I can find a black who, at the level of his chromosomes, is closer to a Swede than Peter Botha is. But what counts in reality is the phenotype. It is the physical appearance which counts. This black, even if on the level of his cells he is closer than Peter Botha, when he is in South Africa he will live in Soweto. Throughout history, it has always been the phenotype which has been at issue; we mustn't lose sight of this fact. The phenotype is a reality, physical appearance is a reality.
Now, every time these relationships are not favorable to the Western cultures, an effort is made to undermine the cultural consciousness of Africans by telling them, `We don't even know what a race is.' What that means is, they do know what a yellow man is, they do know what a white man is. Despite the fact that the white race and the yellow race are derivatives of the black which, itself, was the first to exist as a human race, now we do not want know what it is. If Africans fall into that trap, they'll be going around in circles. They must understand the trap, understand the stakes.
It is the phenotype which as given us so much difficulty throughout history, so it is this which must be considered in these relations. It exists, is a reality and cannot be repudiated.
SOURCES:
African Origin of Civilization by Cheikh Anta Diop
Civilization or Barbarism by Cheikh Anta Diop
Rootsie:
So what Diop is saying here-is that people are affected by racism more or less according to their looks. The genetic reality of a person's heritage is not so important in the world as how they look. Racial discrimination is based on looks. So the 'whiter' someone is, the more privilege they receive.
Ayinde:
This is a serious point worth developing.
There are light skinned people who are also Africans but they do not admit that they benefit from white privileges, however, when it is not given to them they usually demand it.
Anyone can claim to be African (genetically, culturally or spiritually) but if they are not Black, then they do not really experience the depths of racism and the heights of their ability to discern.
One can read, get some understanding and associate with Africans but still never experience the depths of racism as it affects BLACKS. As a real Black man, I had to see that it was not Black men who experience the worst forms of racism, but it is real Black women who it affects the most. When a real Black woman is armed with her history she gets a whole different view on life based on real day-to-day experiences. I developed a very close association with a really informed Black woman and I saw that the real receptors of racism were informed Black women more so than the men. (There are other levels to this reasoning which I don’t mind expanding on later)
Uninformed Black people do not challenge the white supremist status quo; they are simply slaves and digits in the system although they suffer greatly. The system tries to put pressure on informed Black men, but the most pressures are placed on informed Black African women who live in the west.
In my view all courtesies and support should first go to those most affected by the Racist system. We should not only deal with being African in a general context as this often takes precedence over Black Africans who are affected the most in the system.
This entire corrupt world revolves around white privilege, which plays down through the many shades of skin tones to mostly affect real Blacks on the ‘bottom’.
I will not associate with anyone of a lighter shade who tries to deface, devalue or slander, the works of a real Black person and especially Black Women who in the face of all obstacles walk that fine line of truth and integrity.
All others who think they know what racism is should really get a view from the most informed Black woman they can find, as the truths that pour from that perspective shows the shallowness of many that play down the importance of understanding white privilege and racism.
Everyone can make the claim to being African today especially because it is an indisputable fact that we all share a common African heritage, but it is Black Africans who have to deal with the worst effects of racism on a day-to-day basis even if many are ignorant of this fact.
Yann:
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. As a real Black man, I had to see that it was not Black men who experience the worst forms of racism, but it is real Black women who it affects the most. When a real Black woman is armed with her history she gets a whole different view on life based on real day-to-day experiences. I developed a very close association with a really informed Black woman and I saw that the real receptors of racism were informed Black women more so than the men. (There are other levels to this reasoning which I don’t mind expanding on later)
please do expand on this point..i find it interesting that many believe that it works the other way around. they look at external effects of prejudice, i suppose, the fact that so many black men are imprisoned, the element of fear and taint of criminality associated with the black male, male crisis in the education system ,lack of achievement etc, etc.. i would like to hear your alternative view.
Princess Tracey:
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There are light skinned people who are also Africans but they do not admit that they benefit from white privileges, however, when it is not given to them they usually demand it.
Anyone can claim to be African (genetically, culturally or spiritually) but if they are not Black, then they do not really experience the depths of racism and the heights of their ability to discern.
Agreed...it is the EXPERIANCE that separates the rhetoric from the reality...
Various shades of skin tone AUTOMATICALLY yield certain priviledges or lack there of. Who one's mother/father OR beliefs are...come SECONDARY..
The conduct of a person reveals much about how certain behaviors/attitudes are displayed, and show themselves for what they really are.
Quote
I will not associate with anyone of a lighter shade who tries to deface, devalue or slander, the works of a real Black person and especially Black Women who in the face of all obstacles walk that fine line of truth and integrity.
All others who think they know what racism is should really get a view from the most informed Black woman they can find, as the truths that pour from that perspective shows the shallowness of many that play down the importance of understanding white privilege and racism.
Yes...thanks be there are some rare sisters who shine forth from the highest essence of their radiant beings, who CHOOSE to walk that fine line of truth and integrity and stand firm from within...yet are willing to extend beyond. These are the real warriors who give of their ALL in this life..and yes, many times in spite of great obstacles to then help serve the greater good of humanity. This is the purest form of integrity and humility, and pours forth with great compassion from the very depths of true authentic experiance. These rare and beautiful women reveal ultimate stregnth, and utilize their history to expand higher realms of consciousness from any point within the cultural spectrum. Here, there is much to learn...and truly separates the Women from the females.
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