Racism is not just verbal

I was reading a Christian blog post about The Help, book turned film at  Think Christian. This commentary caught my attention. It acknowledges that racism exist but people only talk down those who are blatant racists. Often people refuse to accept that racism is displayed and acted out without actually verbally exchanging racial expletives. Anyway check out the comment below and tell me what you think.

The fact that Hilly is characterized as such as the blatant enemy is a source of frustration for me. Scapegoating her as an evil-racist is such a dangerous, yet common, practice in white racial literature. We (white folk) are allowed to distance ourselves from her clearly-inappropriate 'racist' views. Thus, we are free to identify with the white-savior heroine, congratulating ourselves that we would never be so obviously racist.

These sentiments play into white folks' tendencies to associate the word 'racist' with people that blatantly espouse hatred, rather than examine the nuances of systemic racial advantage and subconscious bias. Similarly, setting the book in the 1960's, invites a congratulatory look on how far we have come, rather examining the modern consequences of that era. As long as we're not that bad, we must be alright (read: "I'm basically a good person, I'm not a sinner"). Macon D of 'Stuff White People Do' notes: "While The Help is about people who risk their lives to challenge the status quo of their day, the book itself does very little to challenge the status quo of its own day." The fact is, the attitudes articulated in the book are still alive and well today, if more hushed. (source)

I just so found this interesting and understand what the commenter is trying to say. The original post looks at how someone reacts to their enemies. It is worth a read too. 

 

The Help movie

I did a review of this book called The Help towards the end of last year. One of my readers commented that the book will be made into a film. I was so pleased to hear that. The book is such a good read worth reading before you see the film.

I am dismayed to read on the blogs and on twitter that there is so much controversy surrounding this film in America. The main issues people have it is that is a film showing Black women as maids. I have no issues with this. African Diaspora people need to embrace their past and history. No other race seems so set on forgetting. We know that in today Black women occupy many different areas of work and continue to strive and do well. So why the controversy. I feel more of our history should be told in film and books, both good and bad. 

Is it a case that we need to pull out the beautifully researched and presented books of Chancellor Williams. Who discusses African history from before European and Asian interaction where kingdoms where spoken of as Dynasties. If all you can see in The Help is a movie that puts black women in a bad light you have missed the point. I suggest you read the book and decide if the film is for you. There is more to these women then just being somebody's maid. You will not know that if you do not read the book or see the film.

I hope it does not take long to reach UK shores. I could do with an adult night at the cinema. Have you read the book or seen the film? What are your thoughts?

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I bought this book on a whim. I saw it in Sainsbury’s one morning on my way to work and thought it looked like a book I could read and finish. Even better the man from the Book People was at work the same day with this book for sale. He told me how good the book was.

The story is set in the 1960’s Mississippi and focuses on mainly 2 maids and a young lady raised by a maid. Abileene is definitely the mother hen of the bunch very wise and full of sense. Whilst dealing with the lost of her son she is raising the children of her employer. Minny on the other hand comes from an abusive marriage but always talks herself out of a job by being honest which is more than what the privileged white ladies can handle. Not even her good cooking can save her at times.

This book journeys you through the maids experiences and what they go through. Whilst sharing the knowledge that some kids who grow up such as Skeeter still have a warm affection for the maid who raised them. Yet tries to make sense of why they may no longer be around. The books touches somewhat on the impending civil rights movement and the sense of change that is about to come. However the main focus is the quiet friendship and understanding these ladies share. Though most importantly an inside into the often forgotten but much used Help.