Well, that is complex. And some of it may be perception-oriented. Honestly, Barack comes up in conversations I am in almost every day, so I am not at all surprised he comes up in yours, regardless of your race.
But I realize you were just using him for an example. Depending on how they go about it (admiringly, for example), it may be like my mentioning that my grandmother is/was gay.
It is, in a sense, a 'cludgey' technique, but it is still an effective method of saying, "I believe I think well of something you identify as." Now, my grandma had a huge role in shaping me, so it isn't a contrivance that she comes up a lot. Even so, I have seen new friends who are gay visibly relax when they realize that I have family that I admire that is gay.
So perhaps the white folk are just trying to say, "I'm no racist." (Which may or may not be true in fact, I realize).
If it is the other way, challenging a black person in power, it could be passive-aggressive needling.
We have no control over our initial circumstances, including our race. As such, I think there is no doubt that you will run into people who, in a sense, want to apologize for their position, or point out that they respect yours.
I'm curious as to how conscious these things usually are (unlike T, who seemed to grill you about all of black-kind), and whether they apply to other minority states, or even to other aspects, like redheads.
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branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 12:44 pm (UTC)But I realize you were just using him for an example. Depending on how they go about it (admiringly, for example), it may be like my mentioning that my grandmother is/was gay.
It is, in a sense, a 'cludgey' technique, but it is still an effective method of saying, "I believe I think well of something you identify as." Now, my grandma had a huge role in shaping me, so it isn't a contrivance that she comes up a lot. Even so, I have seen new friends who are gay visibly relax when they realize that I have family that I admire that is gay.
So perhaps the white folk are just trying to say, "I'm no racist." (Which may or may not be true in fact, I realize).
If it is the other way, challenging a black person in power, it could be passive-aggressive needling.
We have no control over our initial circumstances, including our race. As such, I think there is no doubt that you will run into people who, in a sense, want to apologize for their position, or point out that they respect yours.
I'm curious as to how conscious these things usually are (unlike T, who seemed to grill you about all of black-kind), and whether they apply to other minority states, or even to other aspects, like redheads.