Let's talk about not seeing your black friends as black....
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We weren't labeled as lazy until we stopped working for free. As soon as that happened, the hate campaign started.
BINGO!
That's what destroyed the southern economy. No free labor .
Actually they coded black slaves as lazy and happy to be there too. It's pretty bad.
And to expound on that comment. Unemployment did not come a thing until free labor was no more🤔
Right! 👏🏽
Saying "I don't even consider you black." is like saying "You're one of the good ones." and that is fucking infuriating, what are the rest of us then?
Just like me CLEAR AS CLEAN GLASS , I DON'T SEE ANYTHING ... That's hella scary .... !
Exactly
I think he is saying he sees Americans not Irish-American or African-American etc 🙂. I say that because one day I relished that when I watch shows with all black casts I dont think 🤔 they dont look like me. They are people, not a color or from another country they are people😀. I enjoy the show without thought of heritage.
I agree with you. Everyone sees colors. So I don't know why white people say that. Of course, we do. And I hate it when people say ooh, he is the good one. My nephews are mixed. My mom's cousin in Germany married women from Africa. So I hate when they say that. It's just an excuse.
My cousin is married to a woman with a family who says to him, you are different from other black people.
One day if he makes a mistake I feel like they would call him the n word.
"Stand up if you'd rather live like a black person - no? It's clear you know what's going on and don't want it for yourself. Then why would you want it for others?" - Jane Elliot
Priceless! Jane left nothing to second guess.
Yeah, but usually they'll just pretend they don't get it by saying: "No, I wouldn't want to be part of a culture that glorifies crime and shoots their own kind."
Her methods were not acceptable today, but her findings were accurate and are not taught often enough today.
No-one's ever said to me ''you're a good, hard working person and I don't even see you as white''.
I was so tempted to say something like that once.
@@grannypeacock Oh I wish you had. :-D
I think that is because traits like promptness, attention to detail, and being hard working are a part of White culture. And to expect blacks to engage in stuff like that just because whites want them too is racist.
Thats a BINGO!!!
''you're a good, hard working person and I don't even see you as white''. So let it be writin', so let it be done.
As a black woman, I truly appreciate you for having the guts to start conversations like this one. Your observation towards us come from a sensitive and a good place.
It's normal to "see color" when out in public. But when that "color" of their skin scares you and makes you HATE its all because of your own insecurities.
In the end, we are all human. Just some of those humans refuse to have compassion, empathy, and understanding.
Keep being strong and know we are the better people with empathy and compassion despite our own insecurities!
Same here!
@@hunglikeahorse---fly Perfectly said.
Amen, we all need the change ... I for one am embarrassed because of our founding fathers/mothers have steered this country into a melting pot?
No, it's more like as volcano with laws and humiliating raciest disparities, that have been in our society for far too long.
th-cam.com/video/frxXCpokaSI/w-d-xo.html Edit: "This is a song expressing some of the sentiments of what it is like to be a black person in America." -Sharon Udoh, Counterfeit Madison
I'm a Black woman and Beau is one of the best teachers on race relations and just plain common decency online. I am a true fan and extremely appreciative he has this channel.
THANK YOU! I’ve always lived in area where I am the only Black person, and I’m sick of being told that “I don’t see you as Black”. It’s insulting. I AM BLACK. Being Black isn’t a negative thing.
What you should do next time someone says that is to ask them something like "Well what about me has you see me as not black? What traits are different about me compared to what you think of as 'black"?"
It may make them pause a bit and rethink a few things.
@@JackgarPrime They're gonna respond with "You know...you know..." because they'll be so uncomfortable trying to articulate their own bigoted thoughts out loud.
@@brennam954 Yeah, probably. But it might make them think internally. If anything, I wouldn't expect them to actually answer out loud. The point is to make them confront their own prejudices, especially if they aren't aware they even have them.
I haven't gotten that one...but the "you're so articulate for a person' like you' "....yup, I got that one.
As a young man in the professional world, I use to take pride in that statement; " You're not black. " it's what most of my white coworkers would say. As I matured it started to hurt a little. In a group of all white individuals, someone would make a borderline disrespectful comment about blacks, then act as if they just noticed i was there, but then another white guy would say oh that's just Rick he's whiter than us. Every time I swallowed those micro aggressions it hurt more n more. I finally noticed I was the black that spoke, and acted in a manner easier for them to accept.
As a girl who has been told her entire life "you don't sound black", this video captures all the reasons and frustrations I wish I knew how to tell people. Thanks.
I’m right there with you Eliana. I’ve had people talk with me over the phone and be “surprised” when they see me in person for the first time. My “friends” have said that to me all my life as well. I face it on two fronts though. I’m black and white. I don’t fit in to any social group, as much as I try. 🇺🇸💪🏾
I just wish that stereotypes didn’t have truth to them. If stereotypes had no truth, they wouldn’t be stereotypical. Keep doing you, be the change you want to see in the world.
Right. Been there. My husband is Caucasian and his sister once told me "Well, you are not like other Blacks." I was offended.
@@nickthompson1812 "If stereotypes had no truth, they wouldn’t be stereotypical"
this actually untrue. originally the "mexicans are unintelligent" stereotype came from the IQ test. which was given in english and mostly asked questions about american popular culture. and since the mexicans spoke mostly spanish and were familiar with mexican popular culture, they generally did poorly on the test while english speaking americans did well, leading to the unintelligent stereotype which has no basis in reality
@@cooltv2776 Not only that, but every single stereotype about 'Mexicans' (by which most Americans simply mean 'just about anyone darker than whole milk from south of TX', so large chunks of Central and South Americans, too) was also said about Irish immigrants at one point, Russian immigrants at other points, etc. There is absolutely *nothing* about stereotypes that are inherently true.
I was at this job and this guy said, I really can't stand Jesse Jackson.
Now there's several people in the room, but he makes it a point to repeat it to me.
My reply: Well the next time I have lunch with him, I'll be sure to let him know this.
Everybody laughed, but him.
A good and intelligent answer need more brave people like you to speak out instead of laughing and joining in to the negative conversation and for that I say thank you. PEACE!!!
Racists can't stand Jesse Jackson. Period.
Same thing at my last job, except it was Al Sharpton. The funny thing is, I don’t really like Al Sharpton either, I didn’t say that, but the assumption from him that I did because I’m black was the problem. I should’ve told him I didn’t always agree with Obama either and make him have a heart attack.
@@LotsofLisa lol I can't stand Al Sharpton either but I don't let racists know that either. I just stare in silence until the atmosphere gets uncomfortable and they leave me tf alone.
Perfect response!
It isn't about white guilt!!!! It's about the fact that the systems continue the brutal inequality.
That racist system is telling you what to put in your body.
@@themaddane1550 that's two completely different discussions. Has listening so blindly to Trump and his merry band of morons psychobabble disrupted your ability to think in a straight line.
My feeling guilty won’t help. My doing something to change the status quo will help. But, if I’m ignorant, nobody gets help.
@@TheSuzberry I’m so glad you understood where I was coming from. ✌🏾😉
@@s.d.c5513 Exactly.
Black is not a monolith, but conservatives will never get it. We're just people with a wide range of customs and beliefs, just like everyone else.
Nailed that with less words than you realize. "Conservatives will never get it. We're just people."
I think both sides struggle with seeing us. Yes conservatives broadly view us as thugs and criminals. But liberals pretend to embrace and understand black culture. Or at least what they think is black culture. I found it interesting how aghast the liberal media was that Donald Trump got a sizable chunk of the black vote. It’s like they don’t even realize that in many black homes we have very traditional conservative views.
@@DBurpees1 You must understand that having "conservative values" is no excuse for supporting bigots, racists and criminals. The frustration and confusion from progressives is that conservatives are too proud to vote against the people who have conned them. Also that conservatives hold faith in high regard but afford absolutely none to Democrats and progressives, because Democrats and progressives are demonized by churches and conservative media. The moment you can admit that progressives and Democrats aren't "socialist marxist communist baby eating/killing satanists" is the moment you realize that Republicans have lied to their constituents for 4 decades now.
@@davidlee4903 absolutely. Not all conservatives are bigots and not all liberals are Marxist. And not all People fall into either category. Most of us are somewhere in the middle.
@@DBurpees1 Not all conservativs are bigots, but the policies they vote for ARE racist and bigoted. Not all conservatives are racists, but supporting the Republican Party means openly supporting racists, bigots and criminals. Conservative "policy" is to enshrine the power of those who already have it. Conservatives vote in favor of corporations, every time they vote for the blatantly criminal Republican Party. One thing to consider is that you aren't really conservative. Can you identify a conservative policy that made substantial impact in our country in the last 2 decades? Romneycare qualifies, but it's disavowed because "the black president", I.E. the racism that we know conservatives practice.
This is why the "colorblind" ideology is so problematic, in a nutshell. And why that ideology leads right into systemic racism and legislation. So well said, Beau!
Exactly!
May I ask you a question. When you see so many other whites posting and commenting so many evil and racists comments online and being the same way likely in person. How do you feel? I know all white people aren't the same, nor is all black people or any whole race for that matter, but I've wondered how do non racist whites feel at the reality of white racist?
@@PeaceOnPurpose7 I'm not sure what kind of answer you're looking for, but I guess I can say that obviously I'm disgusted by seeing a lot of the comments surrounding racism online, especially some comments from specifically white people. It can be especially frustrating I think when it's obvious the person doesn't realize what they're saying is racist or prejudiced. Just like in the letter Beau read in this video - the person didn't realize how or why saying something like "I don't even consider them to be black" could be viewed as a pretty racist, or at least highly prejudiced and insensitive comment to say about a black person. It's akin to "you're one of the good ones." But with these types, who **think** they have good intentions in that kind of comment ("it's a compliment after all, right?") - they have a hard time being convinced that some of their ideas are racist, prejudiced, or even contribute to systemic racism as a whole, because they really don't see themselves as being problematic. "They have black friends, after all..."
I honestly think it's hard to grow up as a white person in this country and (unfortunately) NOT end up with some negative preconceived notions or prejudiced ideas about black people and/or POC... whether it be from the news, media, your family, or anything else. And that can be a tough thing to reconcile with, especially if you're a person that would consider themselves completely against racism - as anyone should, obviously. What I'm saying is an individual can be against racism hypothetically, or at least in theory, but still unknowingly or ignorantly hold some false ideas about other races from the way they've grown up, the media they've consumed, just growing up in the US, etc. and also unknowingly contribute to systemic racism. But ignorance shouldn't be an excuse and I think it's important to be constantly confronting that thought process internally and to recognize when it's happening in your own head and ask yourself "why am I thinking this about this person?" and "is this really what I know to be true?" And also question those around you when you hear these things being said.
Not sure if that answered your question but I tried 🤷🏼♀️
When I hear people say that they are colorblind, I also hear them admit to work avoidance. They want to say that they aren’t racist but what they won’t do is put in the work to repair the damage and to make our system equitable until all things are equal.
@@ogeeche exactly. They think the work is done bc **they** don't think they're racist, or hold racist/prejudiced thoughts. Just bc you don't see it doesn't mean it's not happening.
This was so well said. I didn’t even pick up that the “systemic racism” was even embedded in the man’s own testimony! He’s not a racist but it’s affecting him all the same.
Right? A guy actively trying to do better still getting caught up.
It takes time. We’re not that far removed from the civil rights movement, or slavery for that matter. I don’t think Americans of different races talk as much as we should. If we were candid, black folks could object to some of the “good” testimonies of some people. But, it’s uncomfortable to bring it up and when it is, the conversation seems to shut down. 🇺🇸🙏🏾
@@sramoore0075187 Completely agree. At my last job at a nonprofit, we had a seminar on harassment, microagressions, and other things that can create a hostile work environment. It was more of a conversation than a lecture, run by an HR company that has received advanced training in these topics. We talked about not just the major big items that most people know are wrong, but the everyday exchanges that make other people uncomfortable. One of the "microagressions" we talked about was the "I don't see race" and why that can be problematic. Some of my black coworkers talked about some of the other things they experienced that may not seem so harmful but nonetheless made them uncomfortable. Stuff I wouldn't have even thought about. Like people being "amused" by their hair (parituclarly if they have an afro) and feeling like they can touch it without asking. Or, for example, when you meet someone who has a really strong foreign accent, it may be tempting to ask (out of curiosity or friendliness) where they are from, but to them, that can be a reminder (especially if they are a U.S. resident and not just visiting) that they are seen as an "other" and they may hate that they have an accent - it's just a sore point. It was really eye-opening and interesting.
That shows just how subtle and insidious systemic racism (and every other form of systemic bigotry, for that matter) is. You can often not even see when it's there, because it becomes a subconscious thing. Yet it still influences thoughts and actions, no matter how well intentioned a person is.
@@BeauoftheFifthColumn That's the Just World fallacy at work.
If some group gets a bad deal, then they must have some character flaw, otherwise they wouldn't be treated so badly. And if you meet people from that group who turn out to be nice folks, then they can't really be part of that group. The other option is to acknowledge that systemic injustice exists, all around you.
Nailed it again, Beau. It's their lack of self awareness that gets me.
They were so close though, hopefully this is the nudge that makes the eureka moment happen for them and hundreds of others.
I get goosebumps when I see white people who get it.
That's the issue with people growing up with those negative stereotypes. Due to the systemic racism they do not even consider that the negative image as wrong, it's just the way it is, there will be exceptions but the bias will remain in the background.
Who’s lack of self awareness? I think these people are mostly made up. Everybody is worried about their personal situation but we got people who want to imagine haters because it is projection of their own issues.
@@mattbatcher802 sweet summer child, you need to get out more.
My question for the “But I have a black friend” crowd is this: Do you really have a black friend…..or…..do you just know a black person? There’s a difference.
Rough guess: if I've invited that black person to a family gathering, and they invited me to their own family gathering, then they think of me as an actual friend, and they trust me not to offend their family. - This hasn't happened very often in my life. I get along okay with black co-workers and so forth, but deep friendship is a much higher bar.
Well said! As a black woman living in Canada, I have been hearing my whole life, "you don't act black" and I would promptly respond, "how do black people act?" Never got a response in all my years of being alive. Living in Canada racism is subtle and it cuts deep. Luckily I had strong parents and they taught all of their children to act with dignity and pride no matter the circumstances and not to let anyone else define who we are. Thank you, keep up the good work.
Agree that racism in Canada is subtle. Far more subtle than in America, maybe (at least that's my perception based on what Americans I know tell me). But, I do think the systemic racism of our indigenous people is pretty on par with the experiences of black America. Narratives about alcoholism, theivery, poverty and violence have haunted their communities. The systemic poverty and social isolation has been intense. Dialogue is helpul. Let's keep talking. One thing I don't like is being seen as is privileged. I hate the term. It undermines and silences the experiences I had that caused social disadvantages also. I grew up poor. No one in my family had an education so I didn't have any skills in choosing post secondary and no financial help. I am a woman, so some disadvantages there. I was fortunate to have a good school and loving parents. I had some social advantages and many social disadvantages. I know loads and loads of colleagues who had every social advantage except for those afforded by the colour of their skin. Parents were doctors; they lived in good neighbours; went to great schools; were offered scholarships specific to members of their "communities". We all have a story and a history and we need to talk about them..
@@shieh.4743 Watch the White Pastor's video who ran through a neighborhood Richard Desmond with a Tv on his shoulder. He learned through the murder of a Black man who was running through a neighborhood he does have White privilege. He says he didn't know that he had it, until this murder by 2 neighborhood White Men who illegally stopped this Black Man to kill him. He says White people are so ignorant, they have no idea how bad us Black people are being mistreated daily. I have a Son, he must run at a GYM.I still cannot shop with my sustainable reuseable grocery bags, that only White people stuff with food on every asile. I CANNOT DO THAT BECAUSE WHITE RICH GROCERY STORE OWNERS HAVE GOTTEN TOGETHER TO MAKE MY WEEKLY SHOPPING racist. I will be falsely accused of STEALING AND THROWN IN JAIL. Lose my job. There are many other examples, but that's enough.You have eyes but you cannot see Lady.
@@shieh.4743 I think it's important not to be ignorant period. But to be ignorant about the country you live in really is an indictment.
@@shieh.4743 Many are unaware of the racism against Natives😔. In the states it’s worse than black. Bcuz they’re sovereign nation-not aloud to protest, etc. Standing Rock is a perfect example of what happens when Natives stand their ground on own property!! My mom is a survivor of “kill the Indian save the man” era/ residential schools☹️. People don’t realize- North America is stolen Native land divided by borders... They really did succeed with kill the Indian in Mexico☹️. Have been involved with civil rights for 40+yrs. Sadly racism hasn’t changed-only the tactics... Firmly believe if all POC came together (including white activists; minority among their own) we are the majority. Effective change inevitable; a good start is to teach #TrueHistory in the elementary years- Germany has gone above & beyond (RE: holocaust) to prevent history from repeating itself💞. I can go on, will stop here. Blessings❤️
@@shieh.4743 yet many of your people act racist towards Black ppl especially when they feel they’ve assimilated to White to some degree. It’s ok though we see it and other groups like Asians and Hispanics do it as well.
Reminds me of Jane Elliott's lesson on this subject, teaching white people the statement "I don't see you as black" really means "You have this abnormality, and out of the goodness of my heart, I'm going to pretend not to see it." So in order to not be singled out and seen as the aggressor, the black person has to go along with the unspoken racism.
Jane Elliott = discovering her was incredible and enlightening.
…and depressing to watch her seminars with one defensive white person after another
Jane Elliot was ostracised by the community she lived in for teaching her truth and eventually had to leave... I grew up in a similar rural area, that bigotry still exists here.
@@alumpyhorse she admitted to being a Racist/White Supremacist. She interviewed on a podcast several times look up Context of White Supremacy. (Idk if I can post links but in case I can't her interviews might be on YT but if you look up her name and the name of the program it should pop up.)
@@alexricky87 You either missed her point, or are deliberately leaving out the context. She's stated countless times "If you grew up in America and you're not racist, you're a miracle, because that means the school system failed", and she's spoken about how that includes her and how she's had to consciously work on overcoming her own prejudices in order to get to where she is. That's called accountability and not buying into the fallacy of "You're either perfect or you're a worthless piece of trash."
Great post.
Beau, as a 48 year old black man. I have to say that I'm impressed with your observation and understanding. It makes me hopeful to see that there are white people who get it. You sir are a rare find, and we need people like yourself teaching in high schools and on the university level. You give me hope!!!
There are more of us out here than you see. We don't have the platform that Beau has - but we are here and we are doing the work and having the conversations.
We are all relations.
@@rustybraids well thank you. We appreciate you.
I've been sending my dad a few of his videos, my dad is insanely conservative and my stepmom is straight out racist due to her trauma as a child (not a damn excuse) during the 60s. Though she's a narcissist and blames blacks for rioting during that time, and that white people suffered. (Tf?)
I never want to be even close to their thinking, though I'm still figuring out how to approach these issues myself. I've always took the notion of, I can acknowledge the truth of systemic racism, and the trauma the black, well, every damn community other than white has faced. But I still view my day to day interactions with people as, "we're very different in culture and background, but we're equally valuable, but not treated with equity."
I'm wondering if there's a better way to think of things though, which is why I write this.
@@annabobanaasmr8411 Seems like a solid foundation. You may find yourself adding some layers of nuance, over time, as IMO it's more complicated that anyone can express in a single paragraph. I hope to keep learning and refining all my life.
Beau is one of the good white people. He's one of the good ones. I don't even see him as white.
It's an odd reaction to cognitive dissonance: "I've been taught that black people are a certain way." "These black people I know aren't like that, at all." And you could react with "Hey, maybe I was taught wrong" but instead you go with "These people must not be really black".
Damn, I wish I had the ability to put my thoughts in words as neatly as this.
This is exactly why those fear and hate based ideologies are so insidious.
Cognitive dissonance much easier and than having to admit you might have been wrong.
Eloquent post. Thank you.
You put the nail on the head. Sometimes it's easier to deny reality than admit a large part of your worldview and "taught reality" from childhood is completely wrong.
I was told all sorts of things about black people growing up. Somehow, not much of what I was told stuck. Especially after integration and I was the only one that sat by the black girl, and was always last in races, and always last picked for Red Rover.
This is going to be a good video. I can’t tell you how many times white coworkers say “I don’t see color”. 😶🌫️🙄
Right-what they really say is: "I will make believe that I cannot see that you are NOT the same color as WE (powerful majority)!
Oh, I don't see color either. The difference is, I can spot a system and culture that has been and STILL is color-biased from a fucking mile away. And I'm absolutely NOT okay with such system.
And I don't even live in America. European systemic racism drives me mad; America's level of casual and systemic racism makes my blood boil.
@@danielr.y5261 thanks we need as many sane allies as we can find.
I used to have buddies who would sit around discussing all the bad things about black people until one of them looked at me and remembered my wife. Then it was always a back pedal "Oh, we weren't talking about Alecia, Dave, you know that. She's fine."
@@supremesinghmaster654 Okay, that's a pretty big strawman. No, people who don't see colour do genuenly not see colour, the same way they don't compartmentalize people into "my left-handed friend" or "my slightly taller friend with brown eyes". If you're grown up in a diverse community, it's easy to not care about the skin colour of your peers. I also refuse to believe not seeing colour is an exclusively white thing.
What it does mean, though, is probably that they're oblivious to the racism that goes on outside of their bubble.
Well said Beau. People often ask me if I’m from somewhere else. I can’t possibly be black American. Back handed compliments like, “ You speak so well.” How should I speak? It’s obvious but subtle. I become infuriated and I am accused of overreacting. Thank you for addressing this.
Maybe the guy should think about whether the back people he actually knows are more representative of who black people actually are than the fictional character he has in his head. And Beau just made that point.
I also wonder if his Black "friends" think of him as a friend? If he has these views, I have my doubts.
The man struggles to admit to himself he fell for the stereotype.
It's hard to admit you were played for a sucker.
@@debbailey3434 his black friend well might.
my dad was a racist. but he differentiated based on individuals.
@@yt.personal.identification Struggles to admit? Perhaps, he just didn't see it. I wouldn't have seen it, if it wasn't for Beau reading it and knowing Beau. I applaud the author for inquiring.
@@marybrown7203 I am not saying it is a conscious decision. In fact, quite the opposite...it is a failing g of human nature.
This man has friends with a specific skin tone.
The man has heard the stereotype of this skin tone.
The man knows his friends don't fit the skin tone stereotype at all.
For him to think the part of this that is wrong is his friends skin tone - and not even consider the stereotype - really does require some cognitive dissonance.
When a white man in the US takes on culturally, hyper-sensitive topics (like race), you better know what you're talking about. Beau, you know what your talking about...please keep it up. You can learn logic, reason, history, etc. from books, but only society can teach empathy and understanding. It is an indictment of the Christian church, social media, conservative politicians and news outlets not doing their part. It turns out that fear, hate, and violence are too easily inspired and monetized.
Man, ain't that the truth
Beautifully said. 🙏🏿
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
That is one step removed from complimenting a black person for being "articulate" or "well-spoken" as if it were unexpected. Being condescending is also a symptom of systemic racism.
You are so correct. My son is 23 and I have been getting this said to me for years. I don't like it at all. The good thing about him being labeled that way is that he is still considered a good kid at this age.
When I was in college I roomed with two white girls and a black girl (I'm Asian) and I remember one of the white girls told our black roommate she was "well-spoken" so our black roommate asked her to explain and she looked uncomfortable having to explain what she meant by that. We all know what she meant but our black roommate wanted to see how she would dig herself out of that hole.
❤️
@ceedub87 Jim Crow Joe..no way! Really 😂😂❤️
Like Joe Biden does
"Your evidence is in your own message." On point.
Can we place this on a billboard… ACROSS THE WORLD.
@Confederate Lives Matter oh bless 'ya heart...wasnt Atlanta enough?
@Confederate Lives Matter You "people" are causing your own problems. To be fair, also some people farther left on the spectrum of hyper political correctness are part of the problem as well, when they tend to only see black or white, when so much in reality is more complex.
You are so right. Im sharing the video with people saying please listen, everyone needs to hear this and we can't make them. A billboard would be nice lol
@@MissyGail4eva not for slow learners, sadly. The same ones who love to lose repeatedly. 🙄🥴
@Confederate Lives Matter
Your chosen profile picture is a flag of a defeated army of a conquered nation.
Keep that in mind.
This brother needs a nationally syndicated television show. He has the ability to speak to the people that look like him using language they need to hear for comprehending diverse concepts on race. He is also not afraid to discuss the real central themes involved in how people view one another with grace and leaving the emotion out of the conversation. Great Job. Keep up the necessary work my brother and I will continue to support this brothers channel.
I wish Beau would run for some kind of local office....His local school for instance. He's a good man, facts oriented with empathy and smart as hell.
@@GreenGrasshoppa If I had to take a guess I'd say that the reason Beau doesn't try to place himself in an official role of leadership is that it's usually a catch-22 for a Progressive in a Conservative locality. Even if you manage to get hired/elected, you usually find yourself stuck spending lots of time sitting in on discussions where most of the others have different opinions and goals, and they always get what they want when it comes to a vote, and the improvements you want never get done. Meanwhile that's time you're NOT spending doing the things you could without a vote, without a bill or ballot measure, just DOING them because you can and nobody else is doing it. That's what Beau is all about, just DOING, so he does. Of course, the other part of that catch-22 is, if sincere and effective Progressives never try to get into those offices of power, there will never end up being a majority of them voting for improvements. So yeah, somebody's got to do it, but I can totally appreciate why Beau might not be able to stomach it.
I've tried to think of him on "Good Morning America" or one of those shows.
The set would collapse.
I think he has a worldwide television show. One without the pressures of advertisers or other governing systems.
If Beau were to run for office, would that make him happy? Or, would it take time and effort away from things he really enjoys? Plus, power solicits corruption. I don't think he would enjoy that at all.
It's just a thought...
"I don't see race, therefore I'm not racist, therefore I have no need to make any effort to right historic wrongs". Total copout😊
Everybody is racist. Not everyone is a bigot.
Well said
It also shows a complete lack of appreciation of other people's cultures. They are missing out on so much.
@@krisniznik3953 No, everyone is prejudice, not racist.
@@misstunes1765 What do you think of as the difference between prejudiced and racist? I don't think everyone is prejudiced, which to my way of thinking carries some malice like bigotry.
The “I don’t see race” rhetoric is a way of not addressing the issues at hand and quite frankly denying a person’s racial identity
Exactly. Recognize and appreciate their identity.
It comes from this idea that white people are a blank canvas, the default, “unraced” and so the way to treat POC as equal to white people is to return them to the factory settings of having no racial or cultural identity.
Yup
@@IsaRican810 That also reminds me of hearing that whites have no culture. Not as bad as racist rhetoric, but not helpful. Not saying that you are saying that of course.
I don't think it was meant that way to begin with. I think well meaning people used the term in earlier days to distance themselves from their history and find a path forward. Sure, you have your rhetorical point now but do you then condemn every white person that marched with MLK saying "I don't see race". It is more of an historical stating point for people trying to shake off those stereotypes. Don't keep condemning people for making a transition to enlightenment because they are not yet equipped with years of study. Give people a place to start transitioning their thoughts or just accept that you are equally responsible for the problem by demanding that they flip a lifetime of family teaching in a single day and call THEM the problem.
KNOWING WHITE PEOPLE LIKE THIS EXIST GIVES ME PEACE
Could you imagine if they all were racist? The racist would love that, but it will never happen. There are good and bad people of every race on earth.
@Tim Colby that’s not true. Not most liberal “black people” view all “white people” as racist.
He's "one of the good ones".
As another white person.
There are a lot of us like him. Especially in the south like I am. Just know we exist. Ha.
This is an awesome presentation.
It's amazing how many people will reject the assertion of a racist America on the grounds that "that's not what I see around me, or in my community, " but will NOT reject the automatic assertion of a Black America that is lazy, ignorant and dangerous even though all the Black Americans they personally know fail to match those ugly traits.
Instead, they default to "I don't see them as Black," thereby allowing the stereotype to remain intact, and their friends to be considered mere statistical aberrations -- or, worse yet, honorary Caucasians.
That was a brilliant observation, Mr Baker.
"Honorary Caucasians". Yes.
Honorary Caucasians with a real tenuous membership, even.
Honorary until you want to move into the neighborhood or you want the promotion...
Well said. I once thought it was a badge of honor to be accepted into 'white culture' because of the way I speak and the general perception, but as William Pounds says that relationship was very tenuous and the least wrong step or wrong word would put everything in jeopardy. I can't say how old I was before I was able to embrace who I am and love it. And that is sad.
I don't usually comment on your videos (mostly a lurker nothing personal I promise!) Beau but this one, as a 29 year old black man this one resonated with me so much because you GET it. I have this discussion with white people all the time when they say things like "I don't see color" or "You don't sound black", or anything like that. You GET it man. And I want to thank you for that and the more people who look like you, continue to speak on things like this and others similar...it all helps so much. Thank you for being an ally. This is what we mean when we say ally people 💙
Beau is a national treasure and must be protected at all costs
Example: White person: " wow, you are so well spoken"
Me: "ugh..thanks.." (in my head) How the f**k did you expect me to sound...? #ADOS
I’ve been told, “you speak so well to be black.” Smh
Or Your not like the OTHERS.....I'm like ok
Damn, a white old lady said that to me like a month ago. Must be that white on white racism that's so popular now lol
Remember when President Obama was elected and some woman was interviewed and said "He's so clean."?
We all deserve to be treated as a “person”.
th-cam.com/video/frxXCpokaSI/w-d-xo.html
Too easy sunshine… do the work
@@walkrshaw7244 based on your comment, especially the intentions behind it, should we then treat YOU like a person.
@@patricianovak7612 do you even know what those words mean?
@@patricianovak7612 Can you explain to the class what Marxism is, Patricia? I'm sure you're very well informed since you made this comment. I'm just here to learn from you. Also, if you could clarify the difference between Marxism and Communism, that would be super helpful. Can't wait to hear back from you.
Whenever I hear someone say they don’t see color I immediately square them away and show how they are in error and it doesn’t go well for them.
I like to be all sympathetic about how much it must suck to be colourblind, because red and green are so beautiful, and not seeing them is so sad. I even had a friend who couldn't get his driver's license because he couldn't tell the red and green lights apart!
This usually confuses and embarrasses whoever made the stupid statement in question into shutting up quickly.
The other day someone told me they don't see color. I'm sick of this crap!
"it doesn’t go well for them" Or maybe it does? Hopefully, they benefit from that education.
I ask them to get their eyes checked and tell them I will send the info of my glasses guy and they'll get a discount. Then I sit quietly as if I don't know what they meant. Their faces every time LOL!
Imagine telling a white man, "wow you're one of the good ones. I don't even see you as a violent narcissist sociopath... its like you're not even white!". Thats basically what he said.... I understand the stereotypes are pervasive but I can't understand how they can't flip it back on themselves with their own negative stereotypes. Its like being shocked a Blonde is smart. Or that a White Woman can cook..... except the implications are so much deeper.
Beau’s videos are always worth the watch, but this particular one is frickin’ brilliant.
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I agree. I wish I could make everybody listen to it but I can't force them to listen unfortunately
It is like the problem when one is trying to pick out a signal amid the noise. If you have listened to AM radio while travelling and hear the static make hearing the program hard to hear then this is an example of "signal in the noise" . In this video Beau talks about how pervasive racist noise drowns out the signal of who the person is. A good example is to think of what image you get when you read an article about a crime in the news, the noise tends to make one think that the crime is done by one of the others and the signal gets drowned in the noise to the point that the wrong people get blamed for the crime. It happens in reverse, if one hears a news story about a hero then the immediate thought excludes the others and the signal may be lost in the noise. Noise are the things one hears parents, family and friends repeated without basis in facts when one is younger and more impressionable and not understand the difference between opinion and truth. Ignore the noise and try to hear the actual signal and make a conclusion from the signal.
It's not to brilliant to cater to what everyone wants to hear
@@austinsteve5636 hahaha clown
I had people say this to me before. The fact is I love being black. The problem is I don’t like others who are against me being black. Or African American. Or Colored. Or other. Just like what you want, love me for who I am. That’s all.
Awesome. :)
Be yourself. Everyone else is taken. Oscar Wilde
It's pigment, Joyous. There is no intrinsic meaning to skin pigmentation, which varies from very high melanin in equatorial Africa to almost ZERO pigmentation (northern Scotland). Skin color is a spectrum; it's not binary. Look at all the beautiful Brazilian faces in the first couple minutes of the following video. Assigning a person's value as a human as a correlation to skin pigmentation is America's ORIGINAL SIN, and that sin is real and ongoing, unlike that Middle Eastern mythology horse- shit. Nobody has any right to define you except you. th-cam.com/video/sc4OFcT5m1Y/w-d-xo.html
Dark skin is beautiful skin.
Wow. I can't believe what I'm witnessing! Blacks, whites and browns having conversations with no degrading and name calling. I love it. This channel brings unity and I love it and I'm subscribing!
Yes, such a great place to be. Imagine all of us physically coming together, grilling up some food, and having these conversations WITH Beau and his thoughts?!?!? That would be awesome, I bet we could build one or two houses or something for those in need in a pretty short timeframe too. Hmmm 🤔 I wonder if Beau still reads comments from videos like this that are two years old? What do you say Beau? BBQ at your place? 😜 it would be fun, enlightening, and do a whole lot of good. Just Say’n 🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸
Holy crap! That was the most brilliant and simple way to break down what systemic racism looks like. The commenter at face value was well intended until the point of not "seeing them as black" . Ignoring someone's race/ethnicity in order to attribute something positive to said person is to not really respect or see who they truly are. Thank you Beau for being the great teacher/philosopher you are. I wish you and yours the best this holiday season.
Thank you for working through this subject, Beau. I'm a white farm boy/river rat who spent ten years married to a small town black girl in the 1980's and 90's. We got to see both worlds, and see both worlds differently. Family and friends wise, we learned a lot culturally. In the big picture, I got a taste of how this nation treats black folks. It sure as hell wasn't pretty then, but it seems a hell of a lot worse now. We're no longer together, for various reasons. Divorce isn't uncommon. I've tried to explain, to voice my experience and understanding, in these troubled times, but have often felt it wasn't my place. That no one wanted to hear from me. A few times, I have even been told to stay out of a conversation. So I don't say much these days. Thank you, for doing that with this channel. I subscribe and watch a lot of your videos. You always tackle hard situations and use a lot of thought and common sense and intelligence and kindness in your replies. Keep up the good work.
@David Youngquist I am surprised you feel racism is worse than the 80's.
@@mnkwazi keep in mind at the time we were in our 20's. There was an explosion of music, entertainment, art, and sports exposure where we became aware and began to get to know cultures and people and friends we may not have just a few years prior. That grew and kept going into the 1990's.
@@davidyoungquist6074 I agree with you. I was also in my 20s then and unbelievably, the tensions seem much worse now.
@@kkpenney444 Yeah, there were issues, for sure, but nothing like now. We weren't ignorant of it, but there just seemed to be a lot more interaction and tolerance and genuine friendships at the time. White supremacy and this kind of twisted nationalism wasn't accepted and actively discouraged.
@@davidyoungquist6074 Exactly. I lay most of the blame on the rise of right-wing media. A pre-Fox News U.S. seems almost blissful.
I’ve never seen his eyes so bright and focused. What a great guy and great message. Godspeed.
Am I the only one who remembers how ALL of “good ole mainstream media” treated Public Enemy and NWA when they first hit the scene? Fast forward 30 years later, and “Oh look. Now we have body cameras and cell phone cameras that show everything they rapped about was actually happening.”
I remember. Sadly, I was confused more than understanding at the time. But my bubble burst. Now I listen to them when I need the odd comfort of people who knew and said so 30 years back. Reminds me I'm seeing reality more accurately.
This is what should go viral on news, social media, ect. How about we make this go viral 😎🤙
Yesss
This was one of the best & caring monologues I’ve ever heard
Exactly!!! I've never heard it before
This reminds me of a couple months ago, when I was arguing with my right wing, bigoted Aunt. She said, “I’m not prejudiced, I had a black friend when I was in school and she was really nice and well spoken”. She was completely bewildered when I told her that the sentence that just came out of her mouth was proof of her bigotry. She didn’t get that THAT is systemic racism.
Some bigoted folks always use the "I had a black friend" statement in order to let others feel that they aren't racist. Her black friend being "nice and well spoken" goes to show that she think that generally nothing good comes from being black.
She couldn't understand it, because that was NOT systemic racism! Prejudiced, yes! But not systemic. It may have been a display of an effect of racism, but it was not racism itself, nor was it anything beyond the personal. There was no path for her, to understanding what you were alluding to, because it probably was not reflective of the structure that led her to make that statement.
@@lewisjohnson8297 absolutely. she could just as well have anticipated racism because she had heard that was a thing, and wanted to defend black people against a stereotype she had heard some people propagate, but which she falsified by her own observation long ago.
I applaud you again! You've split another atom of truth wide open for everyone's understanding! Beau, you have an amazing gift and I'm so glad I found your channel.
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙏
Thank you sir for not being afraid to speak the truth!
I just watched this video and as a older black woman you continue to surprise me daily. I love how you break things down without fear. When I tried to tell my brother about you and encourage him to check you out of course he refused saying you are just a government plant.
Even if he was, in what way would that make Beau wrong?
If Beau is a plant I would commend the gardener. I wish our government was this enlightening. I still believe that our government should be the best of us and not the bilge that gets put up instead.
@@lauraholzler1417 For real. I WISH Beau was a government plant, because then it would mean the government had much better intentions than we were giving them credit for!
That doesn't really make sense. What about his beliefs would make him a "government plant"? Is your brother a conspiracy theorist?
@@brennam954 That’s the point. He assumed “government plant” without listening to anything Beau has said.
Thank you Beau! Another thoughtful "thought" to put in my tool kit of life. Thank you also to the farmer. His question was not aggressive and he seemed to admit his ignorance. He stuck his neck out a little so we (white ppl who think we know it all) could learn something today.
💗🤗
#LoveAndHappiness
#HappyTears
This is the conversation we need to be having in this country. Thank you for answering so eloquently.
I'm a young white man of 19 years who's the only non black member of an historically Black American youth choir and I still remember my Reverend discussing many topics of social and economic inequity and it is by a long shot one of the most educational experiences , especially counting how he himself suggested to us books to read if we wanted to educate ourselves further.
In 2019 my friend Curtis from such choir (Me and him were 17 at the time) told me that one time he was cornered in high school, along with another student (also Black American), while they were rehearsing 'Say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud' by James Brown, One of the students looked at him disgusted saying 'can't you just not see color? All lives matter!' he cut them all off of his life and I'm happy to see him not feeling intimidated by a bunch of cowards.
I read "I still remember my Reverend touching"... and got worried for a moment.
Dude! You got into a choir in Harlem? Which one? Baptist?
Beau, you are exceptional in your ability to distill truth. Thank you for your consistency and courage.
Subscribing to your channel was the best decision ever, you’re such a wise man! Thank you for everything you do.
Yo!! Omg Beau🥰
Thank you, all my life (48) I've spent fighting that mindset. We know they don't mean to be disrespectful but it's a backhanded compliment. Thank you to the person who wrote the question and thank you for answering for us who want to but our heart hurts too much. Thank you again
This message needs to land you on a national platform. ASAP
I thank God everyday I was born in this beautiful dark skin. With my natural hair, the world view me as the enemy and it doesn't bother me not one cent.
You don’t have to live in the middle of nowhere to be clueless and oblivious. We do construction and home repair, and work for a lot of wealthy people in gated communities. They tend to scoff at the idea of systemic racism. They don’t see it. They don’t experience it. It doesn’t exist. They’re very uneasy, sometimes even hostile, at any criticism of a system that serves them.
@Beth Moore. Bravo!
Won't you be?
This
I grew up in Colorado then moved to Florida for grad school...
This is exactly the mentality I found in Florida, it blew my mind. They liked the person, but held their race against them... crazy how people think.
Those people are indoctrinated into their hate.
Don't assume nobody in Colorado feels the same way. Racism is endemic to white American culture regardless of state.
@@lysanamcmillan7972 obviously there is rasicm in Colorado... but you need to understand its endemic to all cultures not just white America.
@@cjp1599 However, in this situation we are SPECIFICALLY speaking on white and black. Hence the reason @Lysana McMillan pointed that out.
I wanted to share something. You may call it a confession
When I first found one of your videos, I prejudged you because off of your skin colour, how you were dressed and your accent. I immediately feared you would be spreading bigoted or generally right wing views.
You reminded me not to judge people according to these false ideas. I’m a black Brit and I’m often decrying those who stereotype me on a similar basis. Just some hypocrisy I caught in myself.
Anyways, I think your channel is great and I thank you
Me too about having RWNJ prejudice. Since DJT came to power in 2016 and tried to normalize white supremacists and "Christian Nationalists", I'm less likely to treat people who look like Beau as potential friends than I am to treat POC as a friend I haven't yet met. It is definitely bias of a sort, I don't know if it can be described as racist, because I'm also white, and I don't feel like that about all whites, just those proudly wearing a MAGA hat, so it is more a political bias. If they aren't wearing a hat, I'm far more reserved towards them until I know where they stand. One of the MAGAs who was assigned to work for me by the builder who helped us finish our house was racially half white and half hispanic, which struck me as odd, since DJT was at the time separating little children from their parents who looked like him at the southern border. I never understood how he could rationalize DJT's choices, but he became a MAGA by being a fundamentalist Christian, specifically Seventh day Adventist. It was weird to share conversations about our mutual vegetarian diets with a confirmed MAGA of hispanic heritage, but the world never ceases surprising you.
I’m a white guy from CA and judged Beau the same way…at first. I guess it’s human nature to make judgements and assumptions based on what we think we know. The lesson is… we must always keep in mind that what we “know” might be wrong. We must always stay open to questioning what we believe. Many republicans and religious people have trouble with this. If they could open themselves to the idea they could be wrong… they may be able to learn and grow as a person…and they might be more tolerant of others.. (as we both were able to do we Beau).
We learn every day
Thank you for your honesty
This one needs to be compulsory viewing for everyone who has ever said, "I'm not a bigot. I have a (insert choice of ethnicity here) friend at work and we get along just fine."
I've had conversations like this plenty of times as a black veteran. "You're one of the good ones. You're not like all the others." The military is structured in a way that offers young people the opportunity to have this conversation and possibly change minds. My time in definitely changed my view of people and the world in general.
Thank you, brother. My 22yrs in service gave me the opportunity to learn a lot, we are just a big family; some are tall, others short, many good at the range, others not that good. Most people that go to the service and learn that we're all the same; with same emotions, same goals, same 'everything,' but there are always those ignorant people that no matter what, keep their nonsense and stupidity forever. I feel happy that my teammates (Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asian, etc) were there covering my 6 when sh*t hit the fan, and I did the same for them. We're more than teammates; brothers.
Someone said that to me once. So I waited a few months and I said it right back when he handed me something "Thanks Jake, you're one of the good ones."
I saw his face go from pale white to pink as he blinked rapidly. His brain trying to process why I or anyone would think he is not "one of the good ones" by default. I just sat there working on my computer and watching his mental meltdown on the side. He drew breath trying to say something ... and then walked away while looking at me uncomfortably. Great day at the office.
@@SGGCREATIVES
Lol 😆 wish I had done that when I was in. They might’ve asked me what I meant. Cause the last folks I worked with they certainly weren’t good. It was too too heavy in the office so they felt as though they had something to prove by acting as
@$$wholes!!!
Ugh. I’ve been told for years that friends don’t see my dwarfism. It’s taken a long while for me to finally hate that phrase, but what I had to learn first was it was my own internalized ableism. A former college professor had to be told time and time and time again that my dwarfism didn’t just impact my height but my arm length as well. After yelling at him for the umpteenth time about that he finally said he didn’t see me as a dwarf. So glad he gets to “forget” about it - I don’t. I know my whiteness gives me advantages that LPs that are BIPOC don’t have. But the fact of being othered, being told that my experiences aren’t true, or just get a fucking sense of humor about it makes me feel more akin to those that are othered than those that share my lack of melanin…including my biological siblings that didn’t get this gene.
I’m glad I have this difference. I’m glad I have empathy for others and I’m glad I’ve made improvements with my internalized ableism.
That’s exactly one of the points I was trying to make. If the ables get to “forget we are disabled” they also get to forget about making the world accessible. Until, of course, they become disabled and decide to do something about it. 🤯
I never get that feeling that you are championing a cause. I get the authenticity of your heart and your words touch me in fellowship. I’m glad I tune in, your understanding makes me feel good.
I'd like to take a moment for those that are new to this journey. This message is for those just on the cusp. You should prepare yourself for what is to come. I can't speak for anyone else's journey but I come from a racist background. For me it was always obvious in my family. Maybe some of you can relate... "be careful of the neighborhoods you move in to." "Poor people are lazy" "you should fear others" so many messages. I started dismantling these ideas as a teenager. You should be aware that BIG feels will likely come your way. Once you start anger, rage and injustice will likely be enormous. I want you to know that's where it started for me. You won't stay there but honor your feelings. It is terrible. From it you will build something better and bigger. That's merely the beginning of the journey. It becomes something farther down the road dare I say... closer to God? All actions from love. That's my two cents. Keep the faith.
Thank You, for taking the steps necessary for enlightenment. It’s something that is heavily resisted, but is necessary for clarity about our country, and beneficial for finding solutions to many of our problems.
It's the old "you're one of the good ones" argument. Why? The answer is simple: anything good we do is not seen as our default, it's seen as an exception or attributed to something or someone positive we are involved with. That should be proof enough. The fact that we can get fit and have it attributed to our genetics or be focused and disciplined and have it attributed to military service, or if we can code switch or only speak in a manner that is seen as "not black" and be met with surprise or be told we are "refreshing". You are right to say the evidence they are looking for is in their own minds.
As I said on a different video by someone else. “There is nothing wrong with seeing color, just don’t let be sole purpose for you to judge someone and treat them like they are beneath you.” The color of our skin cannot be changed.
In South Africa there is a beauty trend where the women with dark skin use chemicals to lighten their skin, they do it because it makes them more popular with men which makes them more money.
It has nothing to do with how white people see them, and it's interesting to see how light skinned black men are treated like crap there.
Otherism is nuanced, but I like how this channel attempts to break down those nuances, all it takes is good will and the desire to understand the why.
Yep. "I don't even consider you X" only makes sense if X is bad. Otherwise there's no problem with thinking someone is X.
I thought it was best to be "race blind" until I met and spent time with friends of other races and began to see how much their lives were shaped by the way Native and Black people are treated--that their experience is shaped by race, and so is mine. I realized that being race blind was actually being deliberately blind to a big part of my friends' experiences.
damn that experience of yours sounded very much national geographic
Still waiting for the day when I can disagree with Beau! He's always thoughtful and spot on.
His thoughts are based on facts and common sense reality 👏
ITA. I used to wait until the video was over before clicking LIKE. After hundreds of Beau videos, I click it while he says howdy. Even if I disagree on some minor and subjective thing, every video he does has so much accurate info and good points that I like them all.
Compared to Bill Maher I disagreed with Beau 0 times in the last 12 months of watching his content. Bill on the other hand I disagree with 3 out of 5 of his New Rule segments.
@@SGGCREATIVES LOL I disagree w/ Maher maybe 2/5 times. He's usually funny and often accurate, but not self-aware enough to realize when he doesn't understand something or is not being compassionate. Beau never pontificates on something he doesn't understand, and he never lacks compassion.
I moved from the deep South to a Midwest state. I've had conversations with neighbors who gave stories about the first time that ever even saw a person of color. Since living up here I have an informal survey I give every person of color I meet and how frequently they are pulled over by police. In the four years I've lived here I've been pulled over twice, but a co-worker of mine is pulled over monthly. In most places I work at they specifically do not hire people of color. I've been asked about the racism down south, and it is there, however I noticed that the racism in the north is much more pervasive because no one speaks of it and it carries forward. Thanks for the talk!
Pidd! Great observation!
I was born and raised in the Midwest and recently moved to the south and I have to agree with you 100%. Being black in the Midwest is extremely difficult because the racism is so subtle. Its like the wind you can feel it but you can't see it. However in the south if they are racist it's pretty obvious which males it easier to avoid.
@@KatieNicolexx
Facts! The Midwest is the capital of racism without racists. They honestly believe that there's nothing wrong with their beliefs or actions because it's not overt.
Just a word of caution, the informal survey....We don't particularly like that either. Why would you do that? It's subjecting that POC even more by questioning them. You know from your comment that systemic racism exists. I would kindly like to say, we don't like being "test subjects".
@@coco244110 understandable, but it was by finding out that every single coworker of mine who lived in the lower ninth ward had been arrested was the start of my curiosity. I don't "expect" everyone I met to understand my autistic nature, but it's how I learn about my environment, and I usually don't bring it up unless police are brought into the conversation. The history of medical testing on poc in this nation is appalling enough, and I will endeavor to be more understanding in the future. Thanks!
I love all your work Beau but I have to say this video is flawless. You can’t get a more relatable approach to teaching than to use someone’s own words to educate them. 👏🏽👏🏽
“If there is such a phenomenon as absolute evil, it consists in treating another human being as a thing.”-John Brunner, novelist (24 Sep 1934-1995) Right on Beau. I need this reminder.
That's an excellent quote, and, of course, applies in a large number of contexts. It's often why small businesses are less evil that big businesses. A small business owner is much more likely to see his lowest paid employees as human beings rather than abstractions, because he/she sees those employees in person more often. But a CEO of a large corporation has little means of experiencing workers in a far off factory to be closed as humans. It's easier for that CEO to say "It's a sad thing, but we have to do what's right for business." Same holds true for government - a mayor of a small town is far more likely to care for her/his constituents than a senator of a large state, who mostly thinks of the constituents in abstract ways. But the lobbyist who visits that senator is a person with something to say (and with a bribe to give.) Same with foreign policy - war is much more sad when our troops are killed, because many of us have served and/or know people who have. But if hundreds of thousands or millions of people in the nations we war against are killed or their lives are otherwise destroyed, we only see numbers, and those numbers are even woefully underestimated. If our drones kill 150 innocent civilians to take out one "terrorist", it's collateral damage. If some foreign power were to kill 150 of your neighbors to take out one individual they actually cared about, we'd call it murder. In a world with billions of people, it's tough to find ways of thinking of everyone as persons rather than abstractions, but solving that problem is damn sure important.
Yep it’s a european made thing. Just study history, they own it.
as black man I applaud your video. That has been my thought process for a long time. keep up the good messaging Bro we need more folks like you.
Thank you for this conversation, Brother. I find it insulting as a Black person for someone to say to me, "I don't see color". That means they are disregarding or discounting a huge part of who I am. That means they see race definition as something negative. We are MEANT to acknowledge and appreciate each other's races and cultures, not blind ourselves to it.
i don't see race = if something happens to you i have the right to say I didn't see anything .
my best friend is black; i SEE him as black. what i dont see is "less than human", or "inherently dangerous". what i see is my friend, my family; who is like a brother.
Very well expressed, and reassuring to hear this from an American. Watching the U.S. from across the pond, your nation presents an image of appalling racism. In fairness, it's only slightly better in the UK.
I would disagree it’s only slight, it is far more. Thankfully we are not over run with guns. The vast majority of the police are unarmed.
Yes there is Racism amongst , for example The Metropolitan Police!
So about 2.5 years ago I found "Beau of the Fifth Column" on you tube and NON FAIL Beau has articulated so many of my thoughts 1000% better than I ever could. This is another time!
I'm 56 years old. I can honestly say that tiresome is understated when explaining to colleagues & friends how 'I don't see color' comes across to a person of color. My prayers are for peace, understanding, compassion & love.
I don't see sex.
This has led to many awkward moments!
I would like to thank this messenger. Thank you Beau for helping us understand
I love that Beau gets messaged by people like this who are really struggling to understand the world. You hear points of view on this channel that many of us would probably never hear otherwise.
Sort of on topic here. One system that was shaped by racism that we all use now is the interstate freeway system. (Wut?) The massive freeway system that keeps our whole system running is an amazing accomplishment. Good roads keep commerce moving big time.
When it was being built and they had to decide where to lay down the new roads they had to decide which towns and neighborhoods it would reach. So nice wealthy neighborhoods got easy access to the system. Poorer white neighborhoods would still get decent access.
As far as 'black' towns and neighborhoods go many were completely bypassed so to get onto the freeway they had to take dirt roads to even get to it.
Any small stores and restaurants in those locations were so inconvenient to get to that they folded up.
And many roads actually were intentionally paved to cut 'black' neighborhoods in half. "The road has to go somewhere, so looks like we have to flatten these houses." This happened a lot in the south and in many places up north.
Racism built into the system you use every day, but you never saw.
Wow. Need to hear @Beau of the fifth on this one
@@hotmac22 Hey @Beau of the Fifth Column , can you help the lady?
So true. Clare more Oklahoma had a RR that goes right thru the center of town. Think any wealthy white people lived there are that time. Doubtful
So true, look up the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Ok. The interstate cuts straight thru it. This was where Black Wall Street existed.
So true, black bottom/paradise in Detroit had a freeway ran through it.
As a black man I have to say I appreciate this piece from Beau.
I’d also say the person who sent the question should look at the lack of black farmers. Investigate what happened to all the farmers who were black but lost their land through a number of different methods often backed by the courts and government
The person who wrote this letter most likely knows very well, the state of Black farmers. He seems to be very comfortable in where he stands, even though he can be a strong advocate for Black farmers.
I get offended when I hear people say "I don't see color" or "I'm color blind." This dishonors people of color. It dismisses their color. We must honor blackness. Or brown. Or red. Honor them and recognize the contribution they've made to society.
Isn't consciously acknowledging someone's race still judgment? I'll not apologize for not caring what race anyone is. But I'll give you the argument in as much as, someone that must make their casual disclaimer of "colorblind" is color sensitive enough to feel they need to claim they are not.
Also, race doesn't contribute to society. People do. Martin Luther King fought for the equality of his race, but his strength came from who he was, not what he was. "...live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." The dream Of Dr. King was that race not be a factor in a persons value to society. Your comment is about pride, not contributions.
@@jjwalter5897
*Eastside Low Bottoms sh*t !*
People always bring up MLK in these discussions. "I Have A Dream" is all he's remembered for. Go find and watch his REAL speech titled "The Other America". THAT'S the Dr. King I have more respect for !
True... in the words Trevor Noah, what do you do at traffic lights if you don't see color?
@@lowbo47omsascotave "I have a dream" Is a powerful sentiment. That's why it is remembered. It is also apply relevant to the original comment. "The Other America" is also powerful and inspiring. It is as relevant today as it was in 1967. It is more in line with my comment. King never said you deserve anything because of your race. His message was always that race shouldn't keep you from being all you can be. Absolutely right.
While I have sympathy for the difficult journey that race creates, respect is about personal accomplishment. That doesn't mean be a fortune 500. Feeding the homeless is an accomplishment. Becoming a nurse, a politician, or just the guy that can put smiles on peoples faces. Respect isn't about money, or education. It's about doing what you do with your whole heart and self commitment.
Respect is about accomplishment. Honor is about integrity. Neither is about race. King accepted that people must judge. It is our safety, our comforts, our advances, all because of judging those with whom we interact. But judgment should be entirely about character.
Prejudice isn't so much about race as it is about hate. Hate is taught. It is acquired. It can be about anything that an individual has learned to detest. Politics. Social hierarchy. Sure race, but it's the preconceived notions about ethnic groups that drives it.
Hate cannot be overcome by being more of what drives the hate. The myths need to be dispelled.
Don't take this to mean no one should have pride in their race. I just think overcoming hate needs to be about being a person first.
It's just a thought.
@@jjwalter5897
*Eastside Low Bottoms sh*t !*
I can't disagree with anything you've said. And you're right, MLK never said you deserve anything because of your 'race', but the so called "forefathers" did.
Perfect response Beau. As always.
That person needs to look on the World Wide Web and do research on systemic rascist. It’ll burn your heart. Get educated please.
But as you see in republican politics today, they want to stop their kids from critical thinking, attacking school board's, burning books, so as to keep one from finding the truth.
@@DonCarter720 yep
Consistently relevant and thought provoking content. Love this and the community here.
Another MASTERPIECE! As a Black man I say you've definitely nailed it in this video. Thanks again!
tactful, revealing, upsetting, worthwhile coaching.
Damn. Much appreciated.
Best channel TH-cam has EVER recommended randomly. I wake up each day looking forward to what we are gonna talk about. Thanks so much.
Internet People…..This man MUST be PROTECTED at all cost!!!
Yes, I am guilty of "I don't see color".
And I have to be honest, and say I had to watch the video twice, in order to fully understand what you were saying.
I may not be the brightest bulb in the box, fortunately if it's explained to me in a certain way, I can learn.
I'm sure that goes the same for a lot of folks.
Thankfully there are people like Justin, that take the time to break it down, keep it simple, for those of us who want to learn, but learn differently.
❤️🌵☀️⛈️🌈☮️🐎
I had to watch it twice as well. Funny how a concept that should be so easy to grasp takes this much effort for me to understand.
But you are willing to learn, and that counts. Many would rather wallow in happy ignorance.
@@leebrock4783 I often wonder if it's the words used, if it's how the words are put together, or is it the words my brain actually hears???
Either way, it is what it is, and I guess it's not that big a deal, but it would be helpful to know, in order to reduce some of the frustration ...if you know what I mean 😏
@@fallbrkgrl It is all those things.
Brilliant analysis cuts directly to the core of the issue, no BS. Well done, again.
This is pure perfection, the stereotype is in his message without him even noticing.
Thank you so much! The "default" button is always set for everyone else to be compared to white. I have lived in TN & now reside in AZ. I have heard.."you don't act black" my entire life.😳
Got YA! What Do they Exspect Blacks TO ACT LIKE? IT'S gotten to be a JOKE now it Happens to my GROWN Dauther TOO.
The sad thing is they probably think they're complimenting you, but it's only revealing their own bigotry and how misinformed they are. I wonder how they would respond if you said "You're so nice and hospitable to me. You don't act white."
@@brennam954 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@brennam954 Someone said that to me once. So I waited a few months and I said it right back when he handed me something "Thanks Jake, you're one of the good ones."
I saw his face go from pale white to pink as he blinked rapidly. His brain trying to process why I or anyone would think he is not "one of the good ones" by default. I just sat there working on my computer and watching his mental meltdown on the side. He drew breath trying to say something ... and then walked away while looking at me uncomfortably. Great day at the office.
@@SGGCREATIVES great story. Thanks for sharing ♥️
I absolutely love this. Such a difficult topic to articulate and you did it perfectly. Thx Beau.
Wow! You explained that so well. I have heard that line” I don’t even think of them as black” so many times and it never sat right with me! Now I’ll be able to explain it. I’m hearing this in Australia about our indigenous Aboriginal people.
My first thought at the message was if you don't view your black friends as black there are conversations they are not having with you, and maybe the people you need to ask is them, they might tell you things about what's happening right in your home territory you just never noticed or where aware of.
RT . I think most of us (BP) spend so much energy just moving through that our YT friend's think we don't deal with anything vs we have just gotten use to it.
He doesn't think of them as 'black' people. Why? Is 'black' bad?
exactly
Exactly.
In a systemic way, yes 🙄
"The people-who-just-happen-to-be-black I know are human beings. I don't think of them as what-I've-been-taught-to-believe-that-black-means at all."
I (not an American) don't really consider black people "black" - I consider them "people". The skin tone just isn't ALL that important. I also don't consider my gay acquaintances "gay" first - it's just a side note.
But as said, I'm not American.
"Tell me how I'm being racist" is something people often say while or hafter having been racist. If you compliment someone with any variation of "you're one of the good ones" it's obvious you think the rest are bad
You are always on point! I am Black woman who came from a family of hard working people, complete families of both parents, married to death, generations of higher education. Education and home ownership were values taught at an early age. It always amazes me at the number of people who are not members of my ethnic community assume that we ALL lived in poverty. Some very surprised to learn that much of my childhood experience was “ better “ than what they experienced. ( which then triggers another response which will not be discussed).