I am Not a Stereotype.

Over the past few weeks we have had a lot of talk about stereotypes, why they exist, what they mean and how it has impacted the way we think in society today. I couldn't help but think back to a 'spoken word' video that had gone viral titled "I am Not Black, You are Not White". At the time, I remember having mixed feelings and felt rather confused, and after taking this paper and doing a bit of research; I think I understand why I felt that way.

Introducing Richard Williams, who goes by the name 'Prince Ea', who is known on the internet for his spoken word videos about 'issues in society'. He campaigned his video around the concept that "We are NOT Labels". Further explaining in his piece:

"Who would you be if the world never gave you a label?

Would you be White, Black, Mexican, Native American, Middle Eastern, Indian?

NO! We would be One. We would be Together."

In a sense he combines everyone into the same class or category, while disregarding all systems of oppression, discrimination, alienation and inequality. Using labels to identify ourselves with is not the problem. In fact it is the 'stereotypes' and 'negative connotations' that are assumed and come along with it. And let's not forget who and why these stereotypes were forced upon us. These stereotypes are a "'maintenance of social order...systems verse individuals, where society is made in the interests of the more powerful'' (Stuart Hall).

I also felt as though he would acknowledge these labels as only being 'negative'. But why do we have to see them through negative connotations? People assume that differences must bad or divisive such as being Black means association of being a 'thug or gangster', or being Pacific Islander means you're a 'FOB ' (Fresh Off the Boat). Instead, why can't being 'the other' colour of either Black, Brown, Yellow, be beautiful and empowering? Such as the movement of 'Black is Beautiful', which was redefined by those who were negatively impacted by racism. It had confronted ideologies that 'Black' was the 'problem' or was inferior to 'White'. Buzz feed (yellow) have made an awesome video further explaining what I mean. (Titled: I am Black, but I'm Not)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDwuRyLIy0s

Prince Ea also goes to say:

"And when you let an artificial label define yourself 

Then you my friend have chosen smallness over greatness

You have minimized yourself." 

So if I experience racism, it's wrong for me to get upset over it because that 'label' doesn't exist? Have I then 'minimized myself?'. Pretending racial terms don't exists causes more harm than good! Personally I feel that racial identification has been crucial to breaking down racism, and challenge the way we approach assumptions based purely on stereotypes.

By the end of his video he has everyone surrounding him with the word 'Love' in front of them. Honestly by this point of the clip, I couldn't but cringe, because ironically I didn't feel like I should even love myself, for being me. Forced native of being positive and happy in today's society tells (especially people of colour) that we all live in a happy and peaceful world, and if you don't think agree, then that's all on you. Again, ignoring the reality and simply being happy and laughing it off, will not change the systems of oppression. It denies the fact that different racialized bodies have different measures of social capital. He basically advocates 'not much of a problem' with 'not much of a solution' towards racism, in fact he isn't challenging anyone.

And so the question remains... Are you a label? If so then what are you? If I am not Brown, Prince Ea is not black then what am I? ... Or do you instead agree with his narrative that "We were meant to be free, and only until we remove them all."