Ignorance
Blanqueamiento, the term you use to describe bettering La raza,
I use it to describe an exterminator.
I use it to describe an eraser.
I use it as a synonym for extinction.
To me, blanqueamiento and gentrification are best friends.
As I walk down my city’s streets I see people of color being pushed away,
the prices of houses being raised,
and AirBnbs being paved.
I see restaurants that once were black and Latino-owned being erased and the ones that still remain must change their entire style to fit in with another race.
A race that looks nothing like me, that wants nothing to do with me, but will move in with ease because they want to be just like me.
Now you walk down my street and let's see what you see, but here’s what I see that there’s no place to be and I ask myself why and the question remains. But like the trail of tears we’re being pushed away.
And why?
Maybe it’s because of the systemic racism you claim isn't there.
The same racism why my people are called aliens in a country we help build and continue to build. The same racism why everytime I see a cop I feel fear while you get to feel safe. The same racism why the Supreme Court getting rid of affirmative action doesn’t affect you. The same racism you claim has been erased but then do shit like this and then claim that's just the way.
Just the way why?
Could be white privilege you claim isn't there.
The same white privilege: why if black person applies for the same job as a white person, they’re dismissed. The same white privilege why you get to learn about your race in school, and I don’t. The same white privilege why if a white kid shoots up a school is a mental health disorder, but any other race is a terrorist act. The same white privilege why you stand for the national anthem and pledge of allegiance, while we have to think twice about standing for a country that won’t stand for us.
And why is that?
I just told you why, but I won’t be surprised if you ignore it like you ignore everything else.
~KC
On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action and removed racial preference from the college admissions process. This decision has pushed higher education into a new archetype, “potentially leaving students of color sidelined”. Instead of moving forward in time, we are traveling backwards.
