In ending white supremacy, we need the same energy to end black inferiority complex
In the battle for an equal and non-racist society we have to fight black inferiority with the same fervour we have against white supremacy. For obvious reasons, abolishing white supremacy takes up so much space it leaves little room for us to confront the perils of black inferiority.
We implore white people to rid themselves of internalised white supremacist thinking, without realising that black inferiority also props up white supremacy. We have to be as intentional in ridding our society of black inferiority as we are white supremacy. The two are inextricably linked. We cannot profess to abhor white supremacy without recognising how we enable and promote black inferiority through our reckless language.
Last week, we heard a leading black politician’s justification of his decision to employ a white legal team. His words were: “We were losing cases with black lawyers failing to submit a simple thing as one page. And then we must use the same services [and] lose cases so that we can be projected as the most disorganised organisation with no direction? To hell with all of you.” This sentiment was off brand considering that a few of months ago this very politician took a major retailer to task for its prejudicial portrayal of black natural hair. The same energy that this retailer’s prejudice invoked in us, this leader’s words need to be met with the same ire.
Most of us have to an extent internalised white supremacist thinking, which means, by implication, we have bought into black inferiority. I remember the first time my predominantly white high school granted an internship to a black student teacher to teach our English class.
Because I had gone so many years being taught by white teachers, the face of the knowledgeable was white. I remember being nervous and hoping that the black teacher would not mess up as that would reflect on us, the black students. I did not want to be in the invidious situation of overhearing my white friends make fun of the black English teacher because of his diction and enunciation. I wanted him to be perfect.
We walked into our English class with doubt. We wondered whether our education was being compromised with the introduction of a black teacher. Looking back, I think the black teacher sensed our ambivalence at best and lack of trust at worst and because of that he remained incredibly reserved and super cautious, which must have hindered his own teaching style. As soon as his internship with the school was over, he left with no love lost and we were relieved that we didn’t have to be hyper-vigilante of his performance. We had had many white teachers who were subpar but their failure did not carry the same loaded consequences. When a white teacher fails, they fail as an individual. It is not attributed to their race. When a black teacher fails, the entire race fails.
As a black lawyer I know what it is like to have my own performance hindered by the lack of trust from black and white clients alike, who believe that the face of premium service and skill is white. When a black lawyer succeeds he is seen as exceptional and the shine is not extended to his or her skinfolk. But when a black lawyer fails it becomes the burden of the collective. I cannot even blame black people for being co-conspirators in their own diminishment – that was the design of apartheid. However, our leaders have to lead by example. Selling us out to the very people who harbour doubts about our intellect is treasonous.
As a black lawyer I know what it is like to have my own performance hindered by the lack of trust from black and white clients alike, who believe that the face of premium service and skill is white.