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Sunday, December 17, 2006
Rockin’ Hejabi: Cincinnati Has Overt Racism
Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati
Most of you are probably asking the most natural question: What or who is “Rockin’ Hejabi”? Turns out to be a blogger who recently relocated to the Cincinnati area. According to her Blogger profile, Rockin’ Hejabi is a convert to Islam—having grown up as a Methodist—who currently lives in Florence, KY but hopes to become a Cincinnati homeowner soon. Some may wonder why we would feature an unknown blogger’s commentary so prominently here at The Beacon—but we figured it was educational to reflect on an outsider’s first impression of our humble City.
In a post entitled ”Racism in Cincinnati,” Rockin’ Hejabi makes some indicting observations:
Well, we’ve been here now since August and my husband and I agree that this is pretty much the most racist place we’ve ever seen.
The racism is so obvious in people, it’s sad.
A man I casually chatted with the other day while our children were playing on the same playground exhibited some prime racist statements; he was telling me about “how much better” the city of Indianapolis is for families (WTF! there’s NOTHING in Indianapolis! ..Except of course, lots of WHITE people!), and about “how safe” it is there (meaning; lots of white people) and how there is so much more to do downtown Indianapolis than there is downtown Cincinnati for families (nevermind all of the great Christmas festivities on Fountain Square! They don’t count because there are black people present I guess).
(...)
My husband says that the white folks at his place of employement always refer to whomever it is they are referring to not just by his or her name, but they preface their statement with “you know that black (guy/gal) named ______....” WTF? What does the somebody’s skin colour or ethnic background have to do with how you identify them? Seriously, something wicked this way comes!
But it gets even more severe. There was a patient who needed to be released. She had nothing but the clothes on her back, seeing as she was admitted as an emergent case in a fire. No house keys, no car etc. Her one relative could not come to pick her up that night, but could do so the following morning. So the social worker was going to release her anyways and send her to the homeless shelter for the night! Outlandish! Luckily for the patient, another staff member intervened, pointing out the fact that this woman was not homeless, she had a home she just didn’t have transportation until the morning. 100% chance if this patient had been white the social worker would NEVER have thought to send her to the homeless shelter for the night! But she was black...when probed as to why on earth this would be an appropriate decision, the social worker replied that she “does this all of the time,” . Whoa!
Just some material for your weekend reflection.
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17 Dec 2006 at 11:25 am | #
Actually there is alot more to do downtown in Indianapolis than Cincinnati. I don’t think that is a racist statement. I wasn’t present for this conversation and I didn’t hear the tone or the inflections or everything, so I can’t say for sure.
17 Dec 2006 at 04:26 pm | #
Our definitions of racism and bigotry change over the years. Today I see mixed race couples walking around without any fear for their safety in Cincinnati, and more telling is that I suspect people ten years younger than me don’t even note the racial difference.
This new blogger found some anecdotes that would support that there are still overt racists in Cincinnati, but I suspect we could find such in any city.
I think more damaging is covert racism, which is much harder to document and prove.
20 Dec 2006 at 09:51 am | #
Anybody work in Blue Ash? Quick, name a black male or man of color who works with you that is 1) from Cincinnati or even originally from America, 2) is not the security guard or custodian, 3) works on your same level or above in the company hierarchy.
Good luck with that. Mind you I said black man, not black woman. Nearly every company in Blue Ash shows their “diversity” by having a black receptionist and a few admins scattered around.
Racism in Cincinnati is so ingrained that it would take Carl Linder getting shot and beat down by the cops before white folks would see the handwriting on the wall and realize what black folks already know. The Police State power structure that they think protects them won’t do so forever.
Yossarian, I don’t have to be there or hear the “tone” to understand exactly what she means. When I started my blog, I made a conscious decision not to blog racism every day. If I did, I would have a lot more entries than I do. I prefer to focus on other areas than engage in a daily bitter rant against the injustices and indignities I, my family and friends have suffered from white people again and again. Maybe during black history month I will. A shared history of all the things white people do that piss us off, hurt our feelings, and put our very lives at risk.
Racism hurts us all. The failing social climate and economy have can be laid squarely on the shoulders of segregation, discrimination, racial profiling and white folks actively support this antiquated, distorted and discriminatory power structure.
In the word of Booker T. Washington.
One man cannot hold another man down in the ditch without remaining down in the ditch with him.
White folks have dug Cincinnati into a ditch. They cannot keep people of color down in it without staying awfully dirty themselves.
20 Dec 2006 at 10:52 am | #
Well, I don’t work in Blue Ash, but in TriCo I know of two African American male in my age bracket working in my company at comparable levels. Is there still racism? Sure. Is it acceptable? No. Have things improved in my lifetime? Yes. I still think the original blog referenced reported an anecdotal blip. The biggest change I’ve seen in my lifetime is that people are ashamed to be overtly racist, while that wasn’t true in the 60s and 70s.
21 Dec 2006 at 11:50 am | #
Sadly, there is no overt racism in any of the examples given. The racism is only in the inferred or decoded meaning. A mind obsessed with race and racism sees it everywhere.