Okey,
Some folks here have life experiences that expand their self definition beyond acculturation...
And some folks here have limited expressions, which causes definition because of acculturation...
If one's were stronger, there would be no need for definitions...
Personally, I refused to be defined... For I am indescribably, undefinable, and indefinite... And if folks must define me, then define me Divine, for that is what I am, I am a child of God...
But that is an sidebar...
My brother made some choices in his life that I had issues with (searchable only on GC). I had no choice but to get over myself and get a life. I have had my "attitude adjustment" after 10 something years. My relationship with my brother is limited not only due to distance, but also due to what I know is his "faulty thinking" (spelled as a clinical psychological assessment--not my personal opinion)... He made his choice to live his life as he saw fit and jumped right into it without considering what is will do to him or to others...
As an African American male in the United States, does he have that luxury?
Then, his whole concept of his being just got very complicated when that "privilege" we are speaking of now, broke down his front door of his career life... Short of a non-black teacher using the "N" word in class with high school students--not once, but twice within a week, my brother had to DEAL with his faulty thinking up front, close and personal--as he was this teacher's superior and chose not to reprimand her file the first time...
Mind you, the non-black teacher was married to an African American man and had children from that marriage--so of course, how could she be labeled as a "racist"...
Needless to say, that did not quell the anger and resentment of the African American parents that MY brother had to contend with...
Now, I am watching from the sidelines my brother's life. And it hurts me to watch it because I know exactly what he is going through in his mind and I cannot do anything to alleviate his pain but just listen... However, he chooses not to reach out to me when I have reach back to him even after I had to sacrifice some of my strongly held views and values of Afrikan Centeredness...
I say all this to ask those who thrive outside the box, what do you all do when lunacy happens?
Because the way I see it, I am in the frontlines of the battle of bigotry and Spiritual self awakening... That is where my sword and fight lies... I may not see global change, but little changes mean alot to me... One person at a time.
Are you all really thinking you can live pristine without the sting? Just asking.
Also, I have done frontline battle with the Klan, so I am not unfamiliar with the pen-ultimate of hatred. And I have won these battles. But that is a tactical strategy that has to be learned by going into the "lion's den"... Avoidance causes it only to fester...