Through the guilty’s eyes: An observation of the practice of Racism and Racial inequality by the majority of Black people.

Two years ago, I saw a post accusing Kylie Jenner of “Cultural Appropriation” because she wore an Afro for a Vogue shoot. The backlash was split between Black people upset about her wearing their hair and Black people upset about calling whatever was on her head an Afro. In addition to them just being upset about wearing that thing at all, whatever it was. I kept noticing the same trend when a white girl gets Cornrows, Braids etc. The comment sections are usually filled with Black, disgruntled, wig-wearing ladies. Which led me to the conclusion that;

Black people are racist. We may be the most racist race on Earth. While the latter might be a bit of an exaggeration, the former holds true. This racism exists even amongst ourselves.

A lot of people will come at me for saying this, it should interest you to know that I am Black, a Nigerian of complete African ancestry. This should lead you to ask why I would write such about my own people, but knowing my people, they’ll dismiss this as an act of getting into the good books of the Whites. A “pick me, choose me” behaviour, if I may call it that. Suffice it to say that I have no intentions of being favored by any other race, or by any institution. I write this essay as an expression of the double standards I have so far observed. 

For the purpose of this essay, who is Black? By “Black” I refer to everyone of African descent. Everyone with melanated skin and hair that possesses gravity-defying coils and curls. If you are affected by this merger of the varieties of Black people then you are indirectly proving my point.

The periods of the Slave trade and Colonialism will remain the darkest times in the history of all black people. They strengthened Racism. Directly affected or not, we cannot deny the immense impact it had on our history.

To understand Racism, you must first understand that it cannot truly be defined. It must be experienced to be understood. 

Racism is when I get scrolled from on Omegle when I say I’m Nigerian. Racism is when you’re told to relax your hair to look more professional. Racism is when the White guy calls you “Nigga”. Racism exists as “cultural appropriation” when the White girl braids her hair or wears an Afro wig. Yet, for some reason, Racism is not when the Black girl wears a blond, 40 inch wig. Racism is not when the Black guy lands a better job, because he’s Black. Racism is not having a Black actress play the role of a White character. Racism is not having an entire month to celebrate your race and forcing the entire nation to join you. Racism is not championing the superiority of melanated skin, idealizing “Black Supremacy”, over White.

To the question of hair, the bone of my contention, we are quick to respond “It’s just hair”, when we’re questioned about wearing another race’s hair on our heads, but we threaten fire and brimstone when they do our hairstyles. We demand inclusivity while simultaneously demanding the exclusivity of our culture and features. We make mockery of ourselves, tarnish our reputation, while demanding the respect and validation of the very people whom we portray to believe we’re better than. A greater paradox, I am yet to see.

And in trying to be lenient with both parties, I discover the glaring double standards, the 8th wonder of the world; 

Black people are just as racist as their white counterparts! And deep within, mixed with resentment, is a longing for what could have been, if, the tables were turned. We would have done the same thing.

And a black reader might be screaming in self righteous Blackness, refusing to believe this truth, that everyone has biases that are made more apparent in the face of diversity. This pious reader may refuse to believe that there will never be a level playing ground when you are in the minority. And this chasm transcends race, it is inbuilt in every single human. 

You, my dear Black reader, might say “we are not wicked like that!” But come to think of it, how much different is Racism from Tribalism? An Hausa man is more likely to appoint “his person” over a better qualified alternative. How much different is it when I’m still at a loss in my own home because of the difference in my ethnicity? Of what difference does it make if I’m likely to get killed in South Africa because I’m Nigerian? And if this terrible differentiation in race is emphasized only between the Whites and the Blacks, why then does the “African-American” refuse to identify solely as African, like me, rather preferring to suffix the “American” emphasizing the distinction depending on the situation? Of what use is the need for distinction in terminology, location and colour if the subject matter is the same?

We are quick to villainise the Whites, blame them for every bad thing that happened to us, from slave trade to colonialism to inflation even. While they are not saints, our corrupt Presidents and leaders are not blond-haired and blue-eyed either. Your children would not die harvesting Lithium if your leaders didn’t let it happen. Evil men are evil men, regardless of colour. Doesn’t that make us all the same?

We turn our aggression to the over-inclusive white lady who nervously tries to overcompensate for the sins of her ancestors and in turn is attacked for her attempts. Hours spent in futility on online wars against phantoms, denying the truth, while our communities rot before our very eyes. 

I am guilty. And I have accepted my guilt. When we come to the realization that we are our own problem and start to deal with it, the right way, we will not have the time to criticize the White girl wearing an Afro. We will finally realize, that our problems are greater than hair and skin.