The conversation of race: Never an easy one.

Dec/11

The conversation of race: Never an easy one.

by ReThinkHR.org | Leadership, Work, HR & Inspiration by @BenjaminMcCall under Diversity, Human Resources

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A SIMPLE COMMENT

Recently I left a very short comment on a popular industry blog (not HR). The overall post included the topic of bling and writing. It also had a number of images that were typical of what anyone would find in a bing search for images on the term BLING (i.e. Hip Hop, Black people, etc.). While I completely understood the point of the post and did not at all feel the intent of it was racial or negative, I did however feel a need to just leave a two sentence comment in short saying:

“While I do understand the point of this post, I just want to point out how the typical images you used could be considered culturally insensitive? Do you know the names of the artists you used?”

I left it at that. My attempt was just to ask a question and not imply that the individual wriitng the post was neither negative, mean, racist, or culturally insensitive. However, apparently I set a fire.

KINDLING TO THE FIRE

A day or two later this individual emailed me personally and noted that they had removed my comment. The email was a somewhat lengthy message stating they did not appreciate what I left and that “you don’t know me at all and I don’t appreciate these serious allegations.” ??? I was puzzled. I don’t feel at all that my two sentence comment was at all a “serious” nor an “allegation.” Am I reporting this person to the police?? I didn’t think so. This individual closed the overall message with something to the effect of ”I’ve had thousands of comments on my blog and have only deleted a few. Congrats. You’re in an elite club.”

So what did I do? He he he he he. I poured a little grease on the flame!

I emailed them back with another very short reply basically stating that it was not my intent to say they were insensitive but more that the images they used could be seen as culturally insensitive. I continued with “…your extreme action” of taking my comment down shows more than you may realize. “I wear my elite club status proudly!”

Well needless to say they did not like my reply. I received more back but that is not the point of this post. The real point in my eyes is that many bloggers don’t realize how much their removal of comments, or not allowing comments, speaks to their own lack of openness to dialogue. In this particular instance it was the lack of conversation around the issue of cultural sensitivity and really the use of Hip Hop artist images to identify with “Bling.”

Often times our own perception of what should be said is often clouded by how those words could be interpreted. It also speaks to how uncomfortable any question toward someones motives, especially around race, can still be misinterpreted.

I came across the following video which I think really speaks to my own intention of the original comment on that unnamed bloggers post. Jay Smooth, is host to the longest running hip-hop radio show in New York, Underground Railroad on WBAI 99.5 FM. Enjoy!

DO YOU THINK I WAS WRONG? I PROMISE I WON’T DELETE YOUR COMMENT )

Comments

Bling, Diversity, Hip Hop, Jay Smooth, New York, Race, Underground Railroad, WBAI 99.5 FM, Work

Anonymous

I try only to delete spam!
BarbD

Sounds like an over reaction on the part of the blogger to me. Asking you to clarify your comment would have allowed this person to better understand your intent and move away from his defensive position. If this is someone you read regularly and generally enjoy, maybe it would be worth your time to try to have that dialogue via email. While I do think there are reasons to delete comments from blogs (and a well run blog should make it crystal clear what those reasons are), this seems like a missed opportunity to have a healthy discussion.