Just Stop Talking About Race!!

[@becathist]

Perfect place to share this, one of my favorite quotes in response to those who claim they don't see race. “The best way to dehumanize someone while claiming you’re not is to believe you are just the same. You erase their experiences and perspective, their struggles and obstacles, their unique way of having to deal with those things in a world that also erases them. With the words, ‘but humans are humans’ or the bullshit dramatics of ‘we all bleed red’ normal people can simply pretend that if we all did things the way they did, then everything would work out okay. But, yes, we all bleed red but you don’t treat a papercut the same way you treat a gash, you don’t treat an infected wound the same way you treat one that isn’t, you don’t treat a wound to the leg the same way you treat a wound to the gut. You are not acknowledging someone’s personhood when you ignore the very things that make their lives different than yours, and when you refuse to understand that their circumstances have given them their own perspective that is just as valid as yours. More valid in fact - their perspective about their experiences that you haven’t been through is far more valid than anything you could ever think about it.”

[@zucchinigreen]

So quoting this. Amazing.

[@MonikaLukunde]

AMEN!

[@Davidoutt]

Being "colour blind" is a ridiculous concept. By ignoring the colour of another's skin you inherently ignore the privilege and/or disadvantages people have in society based on their race. People who "don't see the colour of someone's skin" ignore the racial inequalities that are so deep-rooted in our society and, I would argue, actually perpetuate racist ideas (even though they may not mean to do so). Racism is such a complex topic and can exist at even "micro"-levels and I applaud you for always talking about it in thought-provoking ways.

[@chescaleigh]

thumbs way way up

[@jacobhamblin5875]

I'm pretty sure I'm one of the color blind people you talk about, and while I admit a level ignorance that should be corrected, I think I'm reasonably justified in my position. First off, I attribute my color blindness to my mother, who comes from a long line of racists, refusing to pass that bias down to me, which I am extremely proud, and thankful to her for. When I asked if I could invite a boy from school over, she highly supported it because she thought me having a black friend would be good for me. We've since become best friends, but when I asked my mom why his skin was different, I'm pretty sure she just said something along the lines of "that's just how some people are," because she wasn't comfortable discussing it. Around 7th grade, I started noticing people make rude comments to him, and I quickly adopted a zero tolerance policy for that, but I was often called a hypocrite being so anti-racist, no matter what race you're biased against. My general policy is that I support pride in your own race, and support events like MLKJ day, but dislike treating people differently by race, even in a positive way. I feel like people are just doing it because it is a culturally popular thing to do, and not because they genuinely lack any negative biases and possess actual appreciation for someone else's circumstances. Is that really such a bad policy, or do I not understand the topic well enough?

[@chescaleigh]

Jacob Hamblin this article from psychology today explains why colorblindness is a form of racism www.psychologytoday.com/blog/colorblind/201112/colorblind-ideology-is-form-racism

[@jacobhamblin5875]

+chescaleigh Thanks for the link A few disclaimers; when I called myself colorblind, I never meant to imply your skin or your cultural upbringing is shameful in any way, nor do I actively try to ignore someone's race. I just don't believe someone's appearance has much significance until I understand their specific context and see how they've reacted to it. I do however see the potential of her multiculturalism. I've always been decent at her third point, fostering personal friendships, and I'll admit I could do better about the first two points, but I'm a little sketchy on what the differences would be. My friend for instance is constantly asked if he plays basketball because he's tall, black, and athletic, and he is a good basketball player, but he's also a brilliant student, accepted into MIT and planning on majoring in chemical engineering. Should we celebrate how successful African Americans are in the NBA, or celebrate my friend's success outside of that stereotype? I don't really understand how we can celebrate both, and valuing one over the other makes it frowned upon to do the other sometimes. Also, I have trouble ignoring the hypocrisy of popular culture. Things like Asians making fun of whites for being dumb, whites making fun of Mexicans for being poor, and Mexicans calling Asians nerds happen all the time, and there's rarely any backlash. I don't understand how the fights for equality have grown so independent, and everyone's losing because of it. Now, I realize I'm just a stupid white boy who don't know nothin, and as cliche as that sounds, I really don't know much, I just don't quite see how this'll work out.

[@chescaleigh]

Jacob Hamblin again, i understand your intentions are good when describing yourself as colorblind. which is what i said in the video and is even outlined in that link. it's important to remember that intent vs impact. you can intend one thing and cause another unintentionally. doesn't mean you're a bad person or "don't know nothin". but again, there's nothing wrong with acknowledging race or how it plays a part in who someone is. YOU don't see it as having significance until you know the person, which is fine. but the fact is it has a lot of significance for most POC. and that's OK! the point is that you don't see it as negative. not seeing race as important (until proven) isn't the solution. being colorblind or "not seeing race as important to who you are" isn't the solution to racism and it quite simply is erasure. with your friend, yes, stereotyping him is wrong. i think it's possible to be proud of his accomplishments as an African American and as a good student IF that's what he wants. If his background is an important part of who he is, he has every right to talk about that or have that mean something to him. He doesn't have to pick one over the other. We can also celebrate AA's in sports without stereotyping every black person as a potential good basketball player etc. Equality is asking to be seen as individuals and not a monolith. No one is suggesting that one achievement should be valued over another. But at the end of the day equality is about equal treatment and equal opportunities.

[@SenseiAishitemasu]

'You can't solve a problem by not talking about it.' Lordt Jesus thank you

[@renko1051]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2TGeJmoet2isLM It was said by Morgan Freeman you idiot. And he is right. But, a diferent person of another race say it and it´s racism "ahhhhh i am trigerred" Don´t lie, it isn´t said only for "the white demons". And it´s true, don´t talk about it bitch. There is NO problem, you are making it up, as you asian name.

[@Tyreece190]

Ren Ko i heard every word what Morgan Freeman said but it doesn't matter if we talk about it or not it still exists

[@filipenegreiros9557]

Its literally solved in one generation if everyone stopped talking about racism.One.

[@Tyreece190]

@@bossshxtonly but the prejudice still exists everywhere so.........

[@83reggieT]

Talking about it in the media only creates resentment and the never ending victim mentality.

[@rebeccamay7256]

This is so true... I "didn't see color" until I got in an interracial relationship. I had no choice but to start acknowledging it, which led me to come to the same conclusions as you. Especially because I live in Alabama. I used to walk in stores and other public places without people giving me a second glance. Now when I walk around with my boyfriend, who's black and Puerto Rican, we get stared at all the time, and we often get dirty looks. The problem is that racists see color. If we're going to fight racism, we must fight it on their terms, by using the same line of thinking that racists do. That way we can truly debunk and eliminate racism, if that's at all possible. We have to see color because it exists. Not to mention that color can be an indication of heritage, which can be a source of pride for many people.

[@BlackkCobra]

The idea that we should all treat each other as equals is beautiful, but treating other people with equal amounts of respect isn't the same as ignoring what makes them different. Equality is about recognizing people as different and respecting those differences.

[@chescaleigh]

AMEN!

[@1perle]

SunMaster212 what kind of double standards? Do you have an example?

[@juggernautk.captain5845]

What you described is *not equality, but *equity*. Equity is not necessarily equality. Also, focusing on differences is what gave rise to the mass discriminating and segregation eras in human history. It is one of the biggest leaps backwards anyone could suggest, and this is coming from a minority.

[@BlackkCobra]

Juggernaut K. Captain That's because the focus was _negative_. You need to recognize people for what they are in order to respect them. Imagine telling a really important woman in your life that you didn't see them as a woman. Think about what that would suggest. When women in the 19th century demanded equality, they didn't want you to not see them as women, they wanted you to recognize them as women and _respect_ them as women. Growing up as a certain race, gender or sexuality, shapes your personality and almost feels like the core of your identity. As Franchesca pointed out in this video: black people want you to acknowledge them as black. They want you to see their struggles growing up as a minority.

[@van7915]

Aveline De Grandpré no equality is not seeing the difference. We see we’re all human and we respect everyone. If people talk about differences we’re going to effect the little kids the future generation who do not see skin color. If we want to solve racism stop talking about because the future generations will not have it they want even know racism.

[@Tony_BrookfieldMedia]

Conclusions 1) race matters 2) we are all at different stages of acceptance and development 3) we all grow up (and move on). Good luck.

[@RoronoaZoro-ii3ig]

Tony Magik agreed

[@bibliophilereads]

I hate when people say "NOT ALL WHITE PEOPLE" -.- way to try to derail the conversation, buddy! Great video as always, your videos are always so spot on!

[@TheClashsBadSpanish]

Juuso Peltoniemi Since there are "far more important things" for you to worry about than discussing racism, why are you trolling the comments to this video about racism? Where are all your IMPORTANT THINGS? And "white people" just means people who others would always consider white. That's all it means. Go argue about whether a tomato is a vegetable or a fruit somewhere else.

[@TheClashsBadSpanish]

Juuso Peltoniemi Again, not sure where all your important things are. You're still here. 1. You are not personally responsible for the slave trade. Okay? Congratulations. 2. I actually don't have any white guilt--I just recognize that my whiteness has made my life easier than many other peoples' lives in ways that I'll never be able to calculate. Audre Lorde writes that white guilt isn't actually a useful thing; it just puts the focus on white people's feelings once again, instead of addressing the problem of racism. 3. You're taking this entire discussion about racism as personally directed at you. It's not. I don't think you invented white supremacy. But trolling this page with derailing comments like "Tim Wise isn't white" seems to say that you don't want us to be having this discussion, which puts you on the side of the debate that likes to pretend that white supremacy doesn't exist. In other words, you're in perfect line with the people who say, "Just stop talking about race." Way to completely ignore the points in Chescaleigh's video because you were blinded by defensiveness.

[@danw1374]

Well thats no different to the "Not all muslims are....etc" argument.

[@CubanPrincezz3]

Ugh! I hate when people say, "Love is colorblind. I don't see their color. Blah blah blah." The color of my skin is part of my identity. If someone is colorblind they couldn't possibly know how to love me or where to start if they choose not to see me for me. In order to get to know my heart you have to look at my skin. (Ex: Racist judge you based on your skin color, which restricts them access to your heart.) Love is color blessed- meaning you see my color and embrace it, accept it and love it. Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@kekenah2567]

Bro then they say "i like black ____ because" but you don't see race oh ight

[@CubanPrincezz3]

Right! Some old guy came up to me and said, "You're pretty for a black girl, and I love your afro. I grew up in a time where black women wore their hair like this all the time." WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN? Can't I just be pretty, because I'm a woman?

[@ExtraordinaryDork]

Would a white person be able to make a video about this?

[@planetnubia0]

Actually yes, but you can't talk about black racism without talking about white racism which is institutional compared to black racism (rooted in animosity/spite).

[@ecks2087]

Did u say white racism was institutional??

[@AlxMar5]

Christopher Shakur Yes, they did. Racism against people of color is institutional racism.

[@Music_Lover0612]

Stop race baiting. White people have made videos like this and only received backlash from other white people.

[@nylina3646]

"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. - Martin Luther King, Jr." Seems like we are going backwards and ever farther from MLKs dream. *sigh*

[@chescaleigh]

Mistress Midnight sigh. I can't stand it when people try to use MLK's words to stop conversations about racism.

[@nylina3646]

Trying to stop? oh no. I'm saying lets get over it already. We can talk about it for sure. Nothing wrong with that. But the "See color" movement is racist to its core and a huge step backwards.

[@chescaleigh]

Mistress Midnight seeing race isn't the problem, racism is. there's nothing wrong with acknowledging that i'm black. that's not setting anyone backwards.

[@nylina3646]

I agree with that. my issue isn't with seeing someones race but more the "See color" movement which says to treat people differently based on race. You know lift one up while pushing one down. That is what is taking us backwards. If someones race makes you treat them differently then that's the definition of racism

[@chescaleigh]

Mistress Midnight people who treat others as less than because of their race are racists. you shouldn't lump those people in with people of color who acknowledge that colorblindness isn't the solution to racism.

[@GlassWisteria]

Stop talking about racism is like when you put spoiled food under carpet and pretend that it's not there. You can smell it but you refuses to acknowledge that smell even exists even though it's everywhere. The racism is not going to go away if you just ignore it and racism is so deeply ingrained in society that you can't solve the problem without identifying it first.

[@chescaleigh]

GlassWisteria love the analogy! thank you!

[@chescaleigh]

ugh. i'm on my phone and accidentally deleted someone's comment. I can't remember what their user name is, but if you've noticed your comment is missing, i'm really sorry. i don't delete comments because i disagree with them, it was a complete error on my part ;P

[@MaereJaneMan]

Right... An "accident"

[@chescaleigh]

MaereJaneMan yeah. it was an accident. which is exactly why i posted this comment. ya know i could've....just said nothing.

[@Logan0813]

chescaleigh I've got a question, do you prefer the term Black or African-American? I never use African-American because it sounds like "not true American". As a White man I've never heard term European-American used towards me and think it would be weird if people did.....just wondering your personal take on it.

[@chescaleigh]

AegonTheConqueror I don't have a problem with either. I don't think AA makes me sound any less American. My blackness is part of who I am, so just "American" wouldn't accurately describe me. that's the beauty of being able to self identify. You can choose whatever you feel most comfortable with :)

[@chescaleigh]

عــصــام أحــمــد ONE channel out of hundreds dedicated to highlighting black people because we are so often left out of mainstream media is not a contradiction. not to mention, BET is owned by white people...

[@helloxtomorrow]

Thanks for making this video! I agree 100% and have to deal with the same issues regarding inequality towards the LGBT community. It seriously baffles me when people say "I don't see the need for gay and trans people to come out to everyone. We're all people and that shouldn't matter!" Yes, that's very true. However, things aren't going to get any better for LGBT people if we just ignore their identities altogether. Like, there are countries where being openly gay is punishable by life in prison and/or death. Ignoring these problems isn't going to help us reach a solution.

[@tremolo2109]

Found this from John's playlist. Subscribed. I appreciate your style/realism/down-to-earthness. I remember as a teenager (I grew up in a neighborhood with very low racial diversity) hearing the "race shouldn't matter, just don't think of people as being a race, we're all humans," and I was all like, "Yea, that sounds right!" And then later as I grew up and got out in the world I heard "race is an important part of identity and appreciating that is not necessarily paired with discrimination," and I was like, "Oh, wow, yes, this."

[@anthonys7660]

I'm white and whenever I mention race issues around other white people they act like I'm on drugs

[@cindyqueen7228]

+Anon NC White people HATE DISCUSSING RACE. So insecure.

[@benjamindasilvsa5838]

+cindy Queen The only way to win is to not play.

[@benjamindasilvsa5838]

+cindy Queen The only way to win is to not play.

[@cindyqueen7228]

Benjamin DA SILVSA What a stupid statement.

[@benjamindasilvsa5838]

+cindy Queen so stupid it actually works.

[@Antreus]

So that whole thing about MLK saying he looked forward to the day when people would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Screw that, because reasons. Black as an identity is not the same as having a darker skin color, because reasons. People who don't have prejudice against people with different skin colors are NOT perpetuating racism, and your assertion that they are, based on an assumption that they have lack of basis for saying and holding a view that they see people as apart of the human race (which has scientific basis) are just stupefying and narrow. Being unfair doesn't necessarily make you right, and it swings both ways. But please, continue perpetuating racism by insisting that people don't consider how much racism has affected your cultural inheritance, identity, or narrative. Do we need to go around wearing shirts or name tags? Going a step further, how are they supposed to know your background just by looking at the color of your skin? The best policy is to just not talk about it for a lot of folk, because anytime they do open their mouths they are shamed. We have so many people of different backgrounds in this country, and coming from a large city this view is just narrow, especially in a multiethnic environment. It's like saying all folk of Asian descent are from China and on it goes. You don't have a monopoly on how race can be discussed, sorry about that. Why not assume that they do consider this and aren't the ignorant folks you're making them out to be? I'm sorry but not all people that the label White is projected upon bear any guilt what so ever, nor can they be shamed. Similarly, not all people that the label Black is projected upon have any loyalty what so ever to it, nor can they be made to feel less than because of it, because it isn't apart of their identity.

[@pashawasha47]

My favorite is "You're white so why do you even care?" WELLLLLL aside from the fact that my fiance is a man of color, and that our children will be people of color, I "care" about (read: am outraged by) racism and oppression in all forms BECAUSE THEY'RE SHITTY and shitty things piss me off. I'm all for handing the mic to somebody else who needs to be heard, but in a room full of white folks I feel like it's alright to be that voice for the people who aren't present.

[@chescaleigh]

@Byron Friday No, there's nothing hypocritical about calling my audience friends. It's quite telling that you go around leaving negative comments but don't enable the ability to reply. Hypocritical much?

[@cathy-pz2to]

penis anger

[@DJsNeverEndingStory]

Hey Franchesca. I just wanna say I agree with you on these topics. Also wanted to ask; have you heard of White Like Me by Tim Wise? Part of the description of the book says: "It is a personal examination of the way in which racial privilege shapes the daily lives of white Americans in every realm: employment, education, housing, criminal justice, and elsewhere." He talks from a white perspective obviously. But also he talks about how we should be color conscious and not color blind.

[@DIVAGIRL10101]

Is white like me an answer to black like me ?

[@scribe712]

Juuso Peltoniemi According to Wikipedia, Tim Wise's paternal grandfather was Jewish (of Russian origin) and the rest of his ancestry is northern European including Scottish. So why do you say he's not White when he is?

[@OmgItsKriKri]

I think you're so down to earth, intelligent and eloquent. Personally I'm sick of all types of discrimination, what people seem to lack is the basic respect and acceptance that everyone deserves regardless of race, religion, sexuality and anything else that differs between people. We all have our own personal experiences, background and culture and it's up to us as people to respect each other. It really bothers me that some people have an issue with that as no one should have it set in their mind that they're superior to other groups of people and that others are inferior to them just because of the colour of their skin. We should be judged by our words and actions, not by the form nature's given us which is beyond our control and should be above our judgement, it's quite sad to think we're all created equal but mankind is what has divided us and turned a lot of weak willed individuals into hateful beings, a toxic mindset is a serious disease. Anyway rant aside, I love you and respect what you stand for. You educate and empower which is what the world needs, the ones who want change for the better need to be empowered and armed with the facts to shut the haters down and the ones who are full of hate need to be educated so that one day maybe they'll learn that the value of all life is equal and change their mind.

[@Ishtarthemoon]

yep, just now one of my (white) friends told me he was so 'exhausted' hearing about people complaining and bitching about nothing in response to Shane Dawson's blackface thing, when I was trying to tell him that his 'stereotypical black girl voice', while being funny, might be perpetuating a harmful stereotype that dehumanises people. I didn't present it like that, of course, but nonetheless, he didn't want to hear it so i just pointed out his privilege and said he's lucky that he can choose to ignore it but unfortunately, i can't. Thankyou so much for these videos Chesca, I'm so sorry you have to deal with people's hurtful comments but at least it shows you are reaching the people who really need to hear your message! Added to that, your voice is really powerful in helping people like me feel understood and like we are not just being oversensitive and we are not just slowly dying inside because of some 'harmless' microaggressions that come at us from all directions on a daily basis. Not that I want to be stuck in victim mentality, but it's nice to know I'm not the only one and nice to know i'm not making a deal big deal out of nothing. If we all think it's a problem then it must be because insitutional racism is still a fucking problem. And p.s. i've watched a lot of your videos on upworthy and I love what you're doing there as well!

[@Blake4014]

+Sundal Roy Sorry, life is tough, its not full of fairies, fluffy rainbows and sunshine. It has a mean side, that means you just need to TOUGHEN THE HELL UP!. I spent many years being bullied in highschool for being different, and I learnt not to let it get to me and solider on through life. Because those who allow themselves to be weak to others, will get crushed and walked all over by others. Simple life lesson I learnt the hard way. I am still somewhat sensitive when people insult me for my disability, but I've learnt to rise above it and accept, that people are typically assholes and you need to find people to connect with and ignore the rest. I'm a white guy with a disability that made me stand out. I suffered for it, I learnt from it, I gained wisdom to understand how to deal with it. Something this channel host fails to figure out. Stuck in narrow scope of reality, mode.

[@Ishtarthemoon]

***** good for you, well done for rising above! we all have low moments and they are the ones that make it so much sweeter when we finally do rise above it. xxx

[@Blake4014]

Sundal Roy Thanks for your kind words. Humans are defective and we just have to learn to live with that fact. x

[@Ishtarthemoon]

yep!

[@michaelmccay7023]

I appreciate your approach, your words, and your honesty!

[@chescaleigh]

Michael McCay thanks!

[@chescaleigh]

@ras roe for some reason i can't reply directly to your comment....i disagree. i don't believe in "us vs. them" and if you really believe that then you truly don't know me or anything about me. i have no problem with people being confused about racial issues. that's ok! that's why i make videos, create content about race, talk at schools and respond to emails from people that are confused and want to understand how to be allies. the fact that you believe that expressing my frustration with these common derailing comments makes me, "part of the problem" says that you didn't understand this video and you're main problem with it is that....i'm talking about you. ah yes, let me "insist" on being marginalized! life will be so much better if i can just keep being oppressed! girl, bye.

[@lochofmceo]

You just ethered everybody

[@rachaelvaughan1017]

I have a question or opinion regarding race and I wasn't sure where to write it or if you have done a video on it since in new here. has anyone noticed how some people within any race gets upset over someone of that same race being too "light or dark" like saying someone isn't white enough or black enough and that some of the racial issue that we all have come from within are own race?

[@rachaelvaughan1017]

I have a question or opinion regarding race and I wasn't sure where to write it or if you have done a video on it since in new here. has anyone noticed how some people within any race gets upset over someone of that same race being too "light or dark" like saying someone isn't white enough or black enough and that some of the racial issue that we all have come from within are own race?

[@joemay5]

I'm white, and I'm sorry that I'm white and even though I've never met you I'm oppressing you and causing your life to be miserable. I also apologize that I work hard and studied to get where I am and it's clearly my fault that I have a good life. Black people are being oppressed by nobody, you're here talking on the internet doing what you want / need to do, earn probably a lot of money and have a great life, notice how noone is stopping you? any black / white person could do what you're doing and have a great life, however they don't or aren't because PEOPLE don't want to do certain things, such as work or learn in school, or want a proper job and prefer to deal drugs, you aren't born a drug dealer or a civil engineer, you LEARN these things from you ENVIRONMENT, its a CULTURAL thing not a RACE thing. So yes. Please. Stop talking about race.

[@ThulaniII]

Lalalaaa

[@Mrs.AlbaRamos]

Love this!!!

[@Rodier1128]

People brush off LGBT equality issues as if they don't matter or at lesser than any other civil rights movement. It's one.of the things in life that angers me beyond comprehension

[@glooom6355]

Please do some research on what intersectionality is and you'll realize why some LGBT issues are "brushed off" to deal with race issues. The gay struggle is NOT equal to the race struggle, seeing as black gay people are not treated as equally as white gay people.

[@frostpan3086]

Vanille Oerba I think that Racial equality and LGBT issues are equal. LGBT is not just about being allowed to get married. People have been been treated very badly, as if they were not human beings, for both issues. But it is sad and stupid that LGBT black people (and black people in general) are not treated equally. My best friend is bisexual and black, I've seen people be very rude and cruel to her.

[@JayAntoinette]

I think if you truly gave it some thought and think about in terms of visibility you would understand why Race Equality is prioritized over LGBT-related issues. When I say "visibility", I'm referring to people make initial assumptions about a person. Most of these assumptions are based off of what is tangible; things we can see. The things that are most visible are our appearances. Our clothes, hair, eye and skin color are what's used to judge people. Now of all these things I've mentioned, sexual orientation is not one of them. That's because people cannot "see" your sexual orientation, but they can most certainly see your race. Increased visibility = Increased Discrimination. I could hide my sexual orientation but it's nearly impossible to hide my race.

[@athenalong]

Joshua Groll "You have to find a way to externalize and express the goals of your movement without appropriating someone else's history."

[@megidolaon384]

Antoine David No. It's about expression. Oui-Je-Suis was comparing race issues with gay issues, which is completely preposterous since they're not and are prioritized differently.

[@DamarisJohnsonnakomiah]

I hate when people say they are colorblind and don’t see race. All that is doing is ignoring the plight of that race.

[@bombria]

Here is my culturally white perspective on this. I, personally, look at all people as individuals. Looking at people as a representative of a race, color, creed, belief system, etc. is just plain wrong. That being said, I still feel compelled to have sympathy for those who have experienced institutionalized racism. I think this is where white culture fails. Even white people experience racism on a personal level, but most do not see the difference between personal and institutional racism. I think coming out as an atheist, while not comparable to race based oppression by any means, has at least given me a better perspective. In short, while I consider myself "colorblind" to a certain extent, we should not stop talking about racism until it is no longer a pervasive problem. So now firmly established on the Middle Path, I am ready to get run over by both sides of the argument. :-)

[@appaalle]

Ebony Atheist I'm color blind... I'm offended by your racist comment to my fellow colorblindies

[@DamarisJohnsonnakomiah]

appaalle colorblind ignores the plight of a person’s culture. The struggles that race go through. If I am being followed in the store because the owner thinks that all Black people are thieves and criminals...please tell me how can a Colorblind person even SEE or UNDERSTAND this situation?

[@DamarisJohnsonnakomiah]

appaalle Racist comment? What makes it racist if I am pointing out something that I particularly go through as a Black woman living in a state that is predominately racist. I can tell you are a White person by your response. Did I say a race? No I didn’t...so someone is obviously feeling guilt. 

[@bombria]

Ebony Atheist: I think (hope?) that appaalle was being facetious.

[@chescaleigh]

@Ras Roe you must've turned off the ability to reply to your comments via your google+ page. not sure how to fix that. confronting so strongly? you mean....by making a 5 minute video about people who want me to "stop talking about racism"? i don't see anything confrontational in that. why don't you pose the same question for people who insist on demanding that i be silent when i'm speaking up and attempting to promote equality for EVERYONE?. i'm not silent about any issues i'm passionate about, nor do i waste my time telling other people what they should or shouldn't be passionate about. in response to "resist not evil" nothing i've said or done here or anywhere promotes hatred or intolerance towards anyone. regardless of our differences, i treat everyone with respect. even if they don't do the same towards me. suggesting i "turn the other cheek" so to speak is silly when in reality, i do just that. i've not once used slurs or threats against people who do the same to me, and i pride myself on that. but again, speaking out against racism and asking others to respect my desire to do so is not "confronting" anyone.

[@1991-present]

***** the answer you Need is far too long for a KZbin comment.

[@chescaleigh]

***** here ya go! "The effect of racism and sexism experienced by black women in America: Understanding the relationship between self-determination and resiliency" udini.proquest.com/view/the-effect-of-racism-and-sexism-pqid:2543252611/

[@chescaleigh]

***** and here's another journal worth reading "a response to inequality: black women, racism and sexism" www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/3173288?uid=3739808&uid=2&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21103751553701

[@chescaleigh]

Nina Serina you're most welcome! it's ok to disagree with me. i don't claim to be an authority on anything, the opinions shared on my channel are just that, my opinions ;) thanks for watching!

[@matthewblott]

***** You stopped making sense after your fourth word.

[@jasminegooden]

Keep speaking your mind! You made so many valid points. From what I've experienced, the people who dismiss the topic of racism STILL being an issue, are the ones who secretly feel some type of way. People say one thing to your face, but like racist pictures, and hateful pages all over the internet thinking that their "privacy" settings are shielding them. I would actually kind of respect a person more if they just flat out said "hey girl, listen...I kinda have a thing against blacks." Instead, certain people want to continue to uphold this facade of tolerance that doesn't truly exist within them. I've lived in the south my whole life (Alabama), so it may be more extreme here. I'd like to know more experiences from different parts of the USA.

[@wanderback]

Talking and discussing and having an actual conversation can help. It doesn't do everything, but it can help. That's important.

[@chescaleigh]

agreed!

[@Voyher_]

I have to admit, when I saw that Morgan Freeman quote: “How are we going to get rid of racism? Stop talking about it." I was confused, because silence in every other circumstance where inequality is happening is a kind of corroboration, sanctification through inaction. But I honestly had too much respect for Morgan Freeman to dispute it, even to myself. So I just thought, "Hey, I'm a white girl in Australia. What do I know about racial oppression? I'm probably just missing something" So it's nice to know that the "stop talking about it" mantra doesn't make sense to other people.

[@TeenageJesusSuperstr]

Dangit! I'm happy for your job but I'm also a little selfish - cause it means I miss out on having more brilliant videos like this. :D Oh well. Again you nailed. Short, light, but still profound. Keep kicking ass!

[@chescaleigh]

thank you! promise i'll be back sooner than later

[@1991-present]

This vid made me subscribe. Love it

[@chescaleigh]

awesome! thanks!

[@NethDugan]

Yeah, I used to be part of the 'I don't see race' crowd cause I thought that was a good thing until people online like you started to be heard in places I was at and actually, yeah. It's a band aid, it's ignoring part of you are, it's ignoring the privilege I have and so on so forth. I mean, there have been times I've literally been blind to it and not noticed but I'm really crap with people and it's taken me two years to not mix up these two guys at work though I see 'em every day (they're white, realise how that could sound in this context). ANYWAY. Rambling aside, used to be part of that crowd, I'm now not thanks to people like you and I'm sorry if people are harping on at you for it and kudos on sticking with it.

[@chescaleigh]

thanks for being able to admit that and for being open to looking at a new perspective! that's incredibly mature of you

[@VidiMacbrian]

Neth: "I'm really crap with people": Me too! I'll be describing this interesting person I had a conversation with and somebody will ask "How old was he?" and I'll stop short, unable to even venture a guess. There is actually something called "face blindness" that is an inability to identify different faces the way most people can. You know how celebrities will have totally different makeup and hair and lighting for a photo shoot, but most people can still recognize the celebrity if they look at the image long enough. People with face blindness can't. I have never said the "I don't see race" line. I did have this friend, a good looking guy, who I chatted with for two years before he made a comment about being Mexican and I was honestly surprised because it had never come across as an important part of his identity and I honestly hadn't thought about his ethnicity at all until that comment. He was just him. Chescaleigh: I am proud of being a woman, and a redhead. I understand that you are proud of being a black woman. Since that is part of your identity, it would be horribly rude of me to ignore it. I feel like it would be just as rude to see a black person and assume that they have struggled terribly as to ignore their skin color, though. It all boils down to getting to know a person. Perhaps the "I don't see race" comment would be better phrased "I won't make assumptions about you based on race. How do you feel your race has affected who you are? How did your hometown affect who you are? How did your first job affect who you are? Wanna gossip about exes? The people who we accept closely do affect who we are, even if we break up with them for really good reasons. If you want to talk about identity, let's get a broader picture than just our skin colors."

[@jouelzy]

Girl, you are so brave! Bless your heart cause *woo-sah*, I'm going to light some candles in your honer and say 'ashe' twenty times in hopes that the mass public get the point of this video and the depths of the message you're trying to spread without you having to respond to out of place negativity. P.S. I really like that blue background, it really compliments your skin tone.

[@chescaleigh]

ha! thanks doll!

[@notrub225]

Agreed, bless you for bringing these issues to the KZbin platform. KZbin comment threads can get so troll-y and immature! You are brave. (and funny!)

[@chescaleigh]

thanks Michael Ray!

[@Wtahc]

yeah, well done

[@shepherd_of_art]

Racism isn't only about the color ... kids and adults get bullied all the time because they are "ugly" or "fat" or they have big ears or something. In general, the problem isn't that people don't like the "somehow different" from what they are but the fact that every family and the society always teaches us that things are always one way. Educational system is one way, relationships is one way, we need to fake out politeness every time we see other people because we have been taught to do so, most of us don't want to do it. So it is reasonable to see people defuse their anger for that staged life we are living to other people they see and they hove a different lifestyle or appearance that they consider as beautiful and normal, they overcome that staged politeness they've learned because it is learned and not found. We need to teach our children to explore themselves instead of teaching them to be who we want them to be. And I don't have children, no I'm too young. But I do have the luck to grow up this way so I can understand this. Please people. Just be substantive.

[@AlxMar5]

I can't see the comments to your post, so I'll chime in blindly. I agree that there are many factors involved in discrimination, and body image shaming is one of the many terrible kinds. However, that would not be classified as racism, at least not for the most part. There's definitely stuff like fatphobia, ableism, and other such concepts which are of extreme importance to combat, but racism in itself is more about treating people as inferiors due to their race, which is to say mainly their skin color.

[@jimross3593]

The people who say we need to talk about it, come across like they want to get revenge when someone hurts them. If Jesus could forgive people who tortured him to death, people can forgive other things. Forgiveness runs deep. Morgan Freeman looks like the kind of person that does not want to get revenge & loves people. It’s people who become riled & want to talk about it that look like want to make someone suffer if they hurt them.

[@reading1713]

Oh Chesca, did you really just say "Please, have all of the seats". I love you. This is awesome. I may just start linking this video whenever people say that kind of stuff to me.

[@dallastexas6341]

I think it’s painful for society to have the narrative be based on merit and statistics. If we were all robots, then we’d be more honest with each individual’s skills, choices, contribution, and beauty. Blaming people’s struggles on race is just easier and makes people feel better about themselves.

[@MitchMitchellStories]

Way to go. Glad you did this video as a young person; so many younger people seem to want to dodge this issue. Yay! :-)

[@brokenman58]

+Mitch Mitchell shes done like a thousand on racism shes still going a year or two later. would be alright if literally half of them weren't complaint about whites disguised as talks about racism lol

[@MitchMitchellStories]

andrew davis LOL! Well, I can't comment on that but I just did one on race because... well, it needed to be said :-)

[@VictoriaFaye09]

"I make noise because I want to be heard." A-fucking-men. Here after John's video and so glad I am. This was very to-the-point without being aggressive or scaring off people who need to come and watch videos like this.

[@scythcb]

Race isn't real biologically. It is a social construct invented to justify the mistreatment of certain groups of people on the bases of "race". Although it is not real, it has real implications and has left a huge legacy, through racism, a system of advantage given to people because of their race, which is why we still must discuss race today. Racism is alive and well in the fabric of America today. Today we like to reduce racism as just individual acts of meanness or prejudice, but it is way more complex than that. Racism today has become more subtle, covert, and institutionalized. For example, mass incarceration, stop and Frisk, educational system and its disparity, public housing(everyone should understand the construction of the ghetto through redlining). Then there is Cultural racism, which is those aspects of society that overtly and covertly attribute value and normality to white people and Whiteness, and devalue, stereotype, and label People of Color as “other,” different, less than, or render them invisible. The truth of the matter is White people don't always feel comfortable talking about race because they don't have to live racialized lives being the majority in a society where everything was constructed to benefit and profit them. chescaleigh , you should have mentioned white privilege and the american myth of meritocracy.

[@chescaleigh]

well i try to keep my videos around 5 minutes, i can't tackle everything at once. but thanks for chiming in and adding this important info to the conversation. i agree wholeheartedly!

[@chescaleigh]

tagging apedosmil because this comment relates to her original comment about "race not being real". Scott T. does an excellent job of explaining it.

[@sklerskler6468]

100% spot on! I just recently subscribed because a friend showed me this video and I could not possibly agree more with the points you brought up! Similar to the other microaggressions you mentioned, the microaggression I encounter the most happens to be victim blaming where white people posit themselves as the oppressed and label me as the perpetrator by speaking on the taboo subject manner of race. As a person who isn't afraid to call others out on their bigotry, I am often accused of being "irrational", "angry", or "uncivil." It often starts with the accusers enforcing their politics of respectability on me as if I have to earn recognition from them in order to have my opinions accredited. Most of the time it just ends in big flame wars with the accusers labeling me as an "asshole" or "prick." I'm grateful for the fact that there are people like you in the world who use their activist platform to educate others so that their actions are not rendered as problematic in the future. You inspire me to do more in my own life to educate others! Thanks for being such a great role model! PS: Good luck at upworty! I'm excited to see what you'll have for us on that platform as well!

[@MyInvisibleChyrsalis]

yes, yes, yes. love it.

[@discoveringhealthandfinanc8328]

MyInvisibleChyrsalis Child, where the heck are you?! I miss your videos... Hilarious! Hope all is well!...great video. I couldn't agree more. Good for you! We need more WOMEN like you ;)

[@jackjohnson-wv5fh]

MyInvisibleChyrsalis no no no hate it

[@NjoyMoney]

And what is the result? more racism since actual slavery days, lets talk more about race and lets create teams and division.

[@voxomnes9537]

@@NjoyMoney Rewatch the video. Many times.

[@jojicjojic5953]

I want the world to be colour blind. I hate hearing people say "so this black guy" why not just say "so this guy". I hate the use of "people of colour" and then there is just "white people" well I'm "white" and my skin is still a colour! I hate when black rappers use the n word. Most of my favourite artists are black and I'm not allowed to sing along in a club. That isn't building bridges it's putting walls up.

[@kaleidojess]

Not talking about race constantly doesn't mean that we ignore it.

[@chescaleigh]

+KALEIDO jess (Jesselapotter) did you...bother watching the video? this is specifically in response to people who say "stop talking about race and racism will go away"

[@kaleidojess]

That's why I commented.

[@gigabites809]

+KALEIDO jess (Jesselapotter) shut up

[@kaleidojess]

annita bel How about nay? People will talk as they wish, you can't control that. Nice try though.

[@gigabites809]

KALEIDO jess with a nonsense comment? Heck no

[@zucchinigreen]

I didn't realize how much I missed your videos so much until I saw this one and it was everything I didn't even know I needed. Amazing. I was thinking of examples about "stop talking about race" and immediately thought of the time I had two white roommates, but I actually want to share a more recent example w/ people of my own color who I thought I respected. Sigh. An old colleague of mine, who left to live in London recently came back to the Caribbean where I now reside after a 5 year absence and we decided to reconnect w/ each other, his wife and a few friends. All his friends are upwardly mobile black Caribbean people and my friend is a teacher. He's talking about his opinion on why black students don't do as well as white students is because "they don't believe in themselves enough and they don't try hard." I was this close to saying negro, are you serious? Not that the British system is one that stems from colonization that heavily privileges a certain kind of intelligence that is tied to wealth and access just "they don't try enough" really? I tried to mention this and of course the "it's not about race" thing came up and I got shut down b/c "we did so well and we're all black, so why can't they?" So I just decided that it was not my night to fight the cause about how their upbringing allowed them certain advantages that a lot of other people do not have. So the "don't talk about race" convo isn't just from non minorities, it's from minorities as well! Continue preaching Chelsea, they need to hear it.

[@just_brittny]

I actually had someone tell me that the best thing to do was mind my own business, instead of standing up against a problem. Words CANNOT explain how much I wanted to introduce her face with my awesome backhand. Instead I politely exclaimed, "Thank you for being part of the problem!"

[@richrich7163]

Alot of black Americans defend the racist by saying the same thing racist whites say

[@rebakkaaaaaaa]

One of the situations that frustrates me is when I try to have a discussion with friends about issues of racism, sexism, queerphobia, etc in media. I'm currently in a media studies program, so I really try to be objective of what I'm critiquing. However, my friends have started getting into saying "if you don't like it, don't watch it" and sometimes adding "because they (the comedian/writers/etc) don't give two fucks about your feelings" and I find that incredibly rude. I can still enjoy a piece of media and still be critical and ask for better esp. when oppression is involved. I never say anything like "this needs to get cancelled" but I say "Hey, I think they should be more mindful of [____]". But my friends don't allow it, they just shut me down. And what they're saying when they tell me that is "I don't care about your opinion. Shut up." And that fucking hurts.

[@chescaleigh]

YIKES. that classroom sounds like my nightmare. I'm sorry you have to deal with those types of comments. I know how frustrating that can be. Honestly, it sounds like those are people you don't need to be friends with. They should be more respectful of your opinion, even if they don't agree with you. Telling someone to shut up when they're expressing real concerns isn't ok. I hope you're able to find some other people to hang out with that give you the respect you deserve.

[@beautifulnature5724]

I kind of disagree. Humans invented race, just like they invented government. It isn't real, but racism is very real. Of course I notice if someone is a darker hue or a lighter hue or has different facial features, but that is only because I notice people's appearance and that is natural. My judgement of a person doesn't come from their appearance, it's just something we all notice at first glance. For me at least, it doesn't go beyond that. I can't possibly know their personality, culture, etc. by what they look like. You say it's a big part of who you are, but not everyone feels that way or puts themselves into a box based on race. I don't consider my race to define me as a person. I base my value on the way I treat others and my overall personality and accomplishments. I don't lump myself into a group that really doesn't even exist. But, I don't think we shouldn't talk about it, which is what I agree with you on, because there is still racism in this world. It's designed to separate people as a whole and keep us down. The powerful use it as a tool to take advantage of others. And don't think just because I'm "white" I don't notice. I do notice and it's sickening.

[@Mcgturtle3]

The color blind thing makes sense in your mind because you're thinking that you'll just treat each other fairly regardless of race but in reality it doesnt work.

[@ignoblemonkey]

I went and actually spent some time reading about racism and I now understand what the differences are. However, I still have a question that I want to ask a question and I feel a bit hesitant to do so but am going to ask anyway. In the comments below I had mentioned that I have had encounters of what I would call racist comments. What I mentioned below was walking down the street and a group of blacks called out things such as "kill whitey". If I did that to a person of color then, to me, it would mean I am being racist. The use of racism here is talking about how whites can't feel the oppression of racism because systematically the statistics are outrageously different in numbers when the two races are compared on MULTIPLE levels in our society. So, basically my question is this: Is the example of what I went through above, and if it the situation above were also reversed, is that just prejudice or racism? I read the differences, but what I stated above hardly sounds like prejudice is the right term with the definitions that I had read in one of the articles. I am genuinely confused on this and just want a better understanding because I would rather understand this than to not. I hope this makes sense and hope someone can answer this for me.

[@ndawon1]

OMG THANK YOU IVE BEEN WAITING FOREVER FOR THIS! Also, could you please do a video educating people on the social, political, and economic obstacles minorities (especially african americans) face today. I feel as though the reason why people of privilege make such dismissive comments is because they are literally uneducated on these issues. Thus, they do not see how ignorant they really are. (i,e chris tomphsons videos) Im graduating high school this year and watching your videos has had a very huge impact on how I can better myself and the people around me so thanks a lot!

[@diedrecallam]

"Eat a granola bar and do a yoga pose." LMBO

[@nestcanz]

When anybody say 'I dont see colour' it means 'I dont care what your colour is', not 'I dont want to tal about social issues'.

[@Mowsome]

talk about discrimination because of religion

[@AhsanteB]

So good to hear from you, and on a topic that is SO prevalent. It's frustrating when people think that bringing up race is racist or playing the victim. Also, congrats on Upworthy! I see your posts on fb and I'm glad for your perspective among the Upworthy curators :)

[@JustCallMeWah]

How is it possible that you have 95 views in 6 MINUTES! haha. I gotta get my channel together! Great video! We need to talk about it.

[@honeybeelzebub]

Thank you so much for saying everything. I am sick of people saying "colour blind." Shut up. Don't be "colour blind" be accepting of who someone is. I'm sick of getting into a discussion with people and them throwing out "that's not me, I'm not racist" and they look to everyone else like a puppy wanting a treat for peeing outside. No stop. We were having a real discussion about trying to solve the inequality problems that are embedded in society. Maybe talking won't solve problems directly, but I hope it has more of an impact than ignoring the problem. Thank you for speaking up and giving youtube and me more perspective.

[@blackpope1725]

no no no....there's one race, but multiple ethnic groups. Just like ppl mix and match racism vs prejudice when there different.

[@EliseLogan]

Heh. We hit just this point last semester in a class I was teaching. In a class discussion about race (and racism), one of my students said he didn't see color. My response was that I'm not blind and I see color just fine. I made the point you make in the video - that discounting race denies the experiences of that person related to race in the same way that discounting ANY formative experience would discount that experience. If we want our society to function with equality, we have to recognize the inequalities, acknowledge them and face them in order to find ways to reduce those inequalities. Thank you for being vocal and using your platform to make your voice heard. Let's see if we can't amplify the signal.

[@kevyo]

I always didn't know what to say back when I get dismissed about talking about race. I felt like I was going crazy because all my friends would make me feel racist because I wanted to discuss about racism and how its still going strong but they think that i'm backwards. Thank you for making this genuine video and please keep on being vocal about these subjects that most people are just frankly too lazy to talk about. It takes a lot of work to stand up for people and its just soooooo soooo easy to dismiss everything and live in la la land.

[@theyovilleshows]

Chescaleigh, Thank you so much. I was a huge fan of SupDaily06's (Chris) videos for a while, but when he put those two videos out I just lost all interest in him and had to unsubscribe. What made it all worse was how he put such a big emphasis on "Having a conversation" with his viewers, but every interaction I saw him take part in involved making those who opposed him look stupid, and making him seem superior to the "dumb people racist against whites." Sorry, that turned into a rant, but seriously, I absolutely love the way you execute making your points. I appreciate you for doing so as well, and I know that I have learned new things from your videos. You make us laugh, educate the public, and provide a generally all around good time on your channel and that's really appreciated. Thank you, and continue to slay, Chescaleigh.

[@chescaleigh]

yeah, i'm not familiar with him at all, but that didn't give me a good impression of him. when i mentioned that i'd be making a video response he accused me of spreading hate, which was really annoying and unfair, considering i hadn't made a video yet. anyway, he didn't apologize to me directly, but he did tweet that he was sorry if his video made it seem like ignoring racism was the solution or that he was dismissing what happened. it wasn't the best apology but i give him credit for trying. i'm sorry to hear he reacted so poorly to people who disagreed with him, but based on how he responded to me, i'm not that surprised. it's unfortunate. anyway, thanks for watching and for the support! i try to be as concise as possible without being too judgmental or preachy, so i'm glad to hear that you've learned something from my videos and have appreciated the effort i put into making them. i'm very fortunate to have such a great audience ;)

[@JayAntoinette]

I'm so happy to see you making videos! Oh and I saw your piece on UpWorthy. I was like, "Oh It's Chesca!" Congrats on the job!

[@AverieMc]

Completely on point with this one. The divide between races is absolutely real and it is our job to close it. The only way to achieve that goal is by talking about it and educating people on the importance of equality for everyone!

[@kanadajin3]

good video and I agree with everything you said. But you know, I don't see race, because we are all human. Race is a social construct. It doenst mean I am blinde and cant see the colour of your skin, it also means I can see colour of hair and eyes and shape of face, and what I see is what you are. But ar you a different kind of human than me? no. Are you less =? no. If we had babies are the some kind of biracial? no. Will I ever look like you? no, but I also wont ever look like britney spears or celin dion ^^

[@tecwzrd]

White 45 year old male, married, with a 10 year old daughter here :) Really liked the video and you hit on some solid points. I was raised to respect and acknowledge all races myself and it is how I raise my daughter. IMHO racism is a "learned" trait either from friends or family as you rarely ever see kids (toddler to around 10) ever practicing it "naturally". Talking about it and understanding is the only way to educate :) Looking forward to more! P.S. You have an amazing smile and radiant personality. Also congrats on your job at www.upworthy.com, seems like a very good fit!

[@ThePaperTiger]

"i'm comfortable here in reality fighting for equality for myself and the people I love." #micdrop

[@JordanWyn]

When someone came to my grad school Halloween party in blackface and I made a "...wtf that's not cool" comment to a white man (not the one in the costume), he launched into a monologue about how if people would just stop being offended at "every little thing" and making him "walk on eggshells" then racism wouldn't even be a problem anymore. Thanks white boy, I see your brilliance now! It wasn't the grown ass man with the grass skirt and spear with grease paint from head to toe that's the problem, it's expressing even the most mild level of give-a-damn for the humanity of other people!

[@rachelburns9640]

What always makes me upset when I discuss issues about racism towards African Americans and someone says "you're not even all the way black!". Just being I'm half black doesn't mean I am any less black.

[@chescaleigh]

ugh. i'm so sorry you've had to deal with that

[@Kaiulani800]

Lord, I hate people like that!!

[@blitzedblueberry]

Thank you so much for this video! I came across a highly inappropriate and racist video on vine a few days ago, and most of the comments were saying," gosh it was just a joke, stop complaining" or "it's your complaining that makes racism an issue"....really? Really,now? I was appalled when I noticed these comments and I had to say something. Anyway, thanks for speaking up on a topic that needs to be discussed.

[@chescaleigh]

yeah, vine is ripe with those types of "jokes" it's gross

[@KaygeeAllah]

I, for one (amongst many) enjoy these discussions. It needs to be talked about. It's been ignored for far too long. People want to create an uncomfortable silence for those who suffer, just to appease those who still benefit from it. No... You have to deal with it. Ignoring it and/or saying stupid *ish like "post-racial" "if you don't talk about it, it'll stop" & "I don't see color" is just dumb. And trying to belittle those who do talk about it makes one part of the growing problem.

[@nate654]

Yeah she looks very oppressed.

[@KaygeeAllah]

+Nathan Rawlins: Describe what oppression "looks" like? How does one actually look when oppressed? Because I thought oppression was existing under the condition of mistreatment, or in a state of distress. I didn't realize there was an actual look to it. This is news that one has to actually "look" oppressed. How exactly is that supposed to look? Please enlighten me. Thanks in advance.

[@quqbalam5089]

Kaygee Allah Please don't play dumb. You can tell what a poor person looks like, what a starving, malnourished or sickly person looks like. Of course not every Black person is poor, like this woman, but a disproportionate amount are.

[@KaygeeAllah]

+Quq Balam: So, is that what you call playing it smart? Hmmmm... Well, I just so happen to be intelligent enough to know when someone is trying to goad me into a nonsensical debate by spewing ignorant bigoted rhetoric. And I may even be just intelligent enough to know when not to engage in such. So how about you take it easy, huh?

[@quqbalam5089]

Kaygee Allah So it is nonsensical to debate such important issues like poverty and inequality in general?

[@tizr7307]

Glad to hear you're enjoying upworthy! Looking forward to reading your articles :)

[@AlaaNouasri1994]

Oh my god THANK YOU for talking about this! I agree with everything you said. On a side note, you look GORGEOUS.

[@desireefrommyspace]

Yesssss! I used to be "colorblind" and didn't "care" about race or ethnicity myself either -- I realize now that I kept so many things bottled up. I'm brown and proud, I love People of Color and identifying as one and doing what I can to achieve equality and justice for us folks of color... When someone doesn't "see" or "care" about our race it undermines and dismisses our struggle, the inequalities in society, AND our IDENTITIES! Thank you for doing what you do, Franchesca!

[@UdoADHD]

Tutorial on your scarf wrap, hunty PLEASE!

[@chescaleigh]

ha! it's a wire scarf, so it has a piece of wire in it that let's you shape it however you want. it's literally just twisted into a knot. nothing special!

[@lesmcdonald8383]

I'm over 71yrs. old living in the USA since I was 16 yrs. old from NY to CA. To GA. with a master's degree from very reputable institutions and in my view the problem of racism is more "refined" but still definitely a major problem in this country. Needs to be addressed and fixed but who in power wants to when it's profitable for WASP'S and others who are not of the persuasion being sure she'd on a daily basis. I totally agree with your voicing your sentiments my young sister, as we used to say "right on" and keep it going.

[@Milshton]

I'm so glad I subbed

[@chescaleigh]

me too! welcome!

[@garvitfish]

Curses! I love your videos so much, it's wonderful to hear a voice talking about race and other issues on a site where a lot of content creators ignore issues like this, despite the fact that a lot of the content can be problematic. Congrats on the job though, I'll look forward to your next video whenever you feel able to make one.

[@MrDakotaWoods]

Totally unrelated but your teeth are so nice! Couldn't stop looking at them. Is that weird? idk

[@tibob69]

Dakota Woods That's because she's black. Black on white gives a nice contrast effect... It's art.

[@Scoring57]

+tibob69 There's no contrast effect. We just brush our fucking teeth everyday (unlike a lot of white people)

[@tibob69]

Dude... I'm black...

[@tibob69]

+Scoring57 So you're racist comment against white people doesn't apply to me.

[@cathy-pz2to]

she wouldn't stop showing them on the vodeo

[@Scixxy]

Similarly, I often hear variations on, "Why do you have to make everything about your sexuality? Man, I don't care if you're gay, straight or love potted plants, man, just don't go shoving your sexuality in our faces." I have, like, thirty snarky replies to that, but it mostly makes me want to shout, which, of course, would make me "one of the bad ones" and "hurting my people's cause."

[@chieftv3416]

Race is man made.

[@Ulrna]

Everything is man-made, altruism is man-made, sympathy is man-made, culture is man-made. Houses are man-made. That doesn't really mean anything.

[@GraveyardMoth]

I wish I could "like" this video twice, because it's so important. Also, I am SO glad someone already made a gif of your "please, have ALL the seats" moment because I think it could come in handy in future discussions.

[@chescaleigh]

aw thanks! i'd say sharing it counts as 2 likes ;)

[@TymetheInfamous]

RACISM IS VERY REAL. Thanks for this video doll Xo

[@jackjohnson-wv5fh]

TymetheInfamous ur right. The hirl in this video is absolutely racist

[@Injudiciously]

Only in your head it is.

[@sooh6299]

Chescaleigh, I'm one of those people you talk about. I often say that I don't see color, and it is technically true. I see it the first time I see you, and whenever color and race is part of a discussion. It makes me feel uncomfortable sometimes, knowing the privileges I have just from being born white. I hate social injustice, and I will stand up for anyone not being treated the same as anyone else when I see it. I love traditions and culture, and seeing things that are historically and culturally significant for various ethnicities and peoples. I hope I'm not part of the problem for anyone. It can sometimes be difficult navigating the waters in discussions about race, but I hope that if I appear intolerant, people will tell me. Keep being awesome, and keep bringing these important truths out there! (I know this was self-centered, but this vid kinda got me soul-searching a little bit..)

[@Zepikness]

I'm sorry for being off topic, but you have fabulous collarbones.

[@JapanBlue54]

Everything in this video is on point. Like my friends in college don't really feel comfortable speaking about race and anti-blackness that I face, and they're all poc. They think racism is just being mean to other people, and despite me telling them otherwise they don't listen, so I've stopped talking about it. So this vid hits close to home, awesome dialogue to get started for both white people, and poc who have certain privileges afforded to them.

[@lar2211]

This is amazing and you were so eloquent in your delivery. Thank you, I could not have said it better :-)

[@aleciaquaria]

I am a teenager who's half black and half white. Being lighter skinned, I don't feel like I've been exposed to as much discrimination as others might come across. Or maybe I just haven't been exposed to the world as much. I agree with what you're saying, not just in this video, but in a lot of your other videos. They're very insightful and help me to become more educated about the issue of race. Maybe... I haven't grown up enough - you said you thought the same at one point - but until this video got me thinking, I didn't see the world in black and white. I see race, and I'm proud of who I am, both black and white. But to elaborate, when I went to see STOMP, my stepsister (who's all white) said, "They always have to have a black person," when the performers were first coming on stage. I feel she said this because she meant something along the lines of: every performance of any type needs a black person so not to be seen as discriminatory. My internal response to this was, "Why do you have to see them as black and white? Why can't they just be good performers who were chosen because of their ability and not the color of their skin?" I'm not sure if you would consider this something different, but this is what I was meaning when I said I don't see black and white.

[@matthewmiller4954]

What challenges do you face? I'm honestly curious. Cause I'm a Pacific Islander and have faced all kinds of racism where I've been called every racist name and have seen others of every race face some too. Whether it's blacks being racist to whites, Mexicans to Asians, whites towards blacks or Mexicans. I've seen it almost every type of way but I understand that there is always going to be those types of people and it's mostly a minority group doing it. It's not holding me back from accomplishing the things I want in life so I don't complain about it even though it's there. So I'd like to just know what have you faced that I haven't? Please I'd like to understand

[@Tash_-en6uo]

Matthew Miller are u saying black women don't have it bad too? That's messed up , do u know that black women are tho most disrespected in the u.s you may be a minority too but black women have it worst scroll through these comments and see how people are talking about black women in a bad way just because of one black women ill wait

[@matthewmiller4954]

Natasha Bartley Um when did I say that? I just honestly would honestly like to know what the challenges are that you face? Cause obviously there is racism and stuff like that out there but I've seen it from and to all races, men and women. But of course there's always going to be a bad apple for every 10 good ones and I just don't see it as a huge issue. Ive faced certain challenges too but I don't need to complain about it to everyone so they can see me and understand my challenges. I just need to be able to look in the mirror and feel ok about myself and hope the people I love feel the same. Everyone's got problems. I don't need a pity party to get to where I want in life

[@spukus]

Thank you! This is really great. Brought back this moment at a job I had in 1979. There was a dispute about what radio station to have on. Blame It On The Rain was playing. A south side Irish Chicago white guy was complaining about the song and a black guy said "it's a black thing". This set the white guy off and he went off on a short rant about there's no white or black and everybody's the same. I knew he was wrong because it just ain't right to deny somebody's culture but I didn't have the vocabulary then to really talk about it or even sort it out in my head. On top of that, there wouldn't be most the music the white guy liked without black musicians' influence on American music but that's a whole nother kettle of fish.

[@lelelisa226]

One thing that bothers me is EVERY February I see tons of post about "why are we celebrating black history month? Why is it a whole month. And Why isn't there a Native American, a Mexican, a White history month?"

[@ashlovestoshop]

Your eyeliner looks awesome! This video was hilarious btw lol!

[@narotic613]

People try to downplay racism because people are generally more subtle about displaying it, but for example dating an African woman I have heard the craziest examples of ignorant things people have said while being oblivious to insulting it is.My point being people can pick up bad habits from society that won't be corrected without honest conversation

[@glooom6355]

Another great video! Really grateful for your videos on how to deal with people on race issues, can't tell you how many times I've quoted something you've said or used an example you made when talking to people about race. Also congrats on the job! So happy it's something you enjoy :)

[@logorfintreesong]

Congrats on the Upworthy job! It's a group I pay close attention to. Keep up the great work.

[@macfamsc]

Great points, Fran. It's good to see you on KZbin again. Thanks for making the time with your busy schedule and congrats on the new job. It sounds like it is really working well for you.

[@soulsmart18]

Love it!!! "Even in black in white, I'm still black" hilarious 😂😂

[@drrd4127]

You look brown.

[@angeladalton9308]

Race/ethnicity and culture should be things that we can openly talk about. They are a part of a person's identity and while we're all human, the intricacies of how we express being human through cultural difference is so beautiful. The wide spectrum of human appearance is similarly beautiful and the fact that whether you are one background or another you have biological similarities is such a cool concept - everyone babbles before they talk before they read. We are all alike at our core but our individual differences - whatever they may be - give us such a rich uniqueness. Why not celebrate the beauty of diverse human culture and biology? Now not everyone wants to celebrate differences, but just closing your eyes to problems doesn't make them go away. It keeps you ignorant and it prevents healing, progression and understanding. When people don't want you to talk about racism or prejudice, it's because it either a) makes them feel guilty b) they truly don't think it exists or c) they agree with the prejudice but know they can't say that.

[@blackbirdtype]

I went on a rant about this the other day, but this was better put :p It baffles me why in some environments, mentioning one's race (and often gender) almost seems taboo. When we don't talk about race/gender, we can't acknowledge prejudice and privilege, and we remain ignorant.

[@florcita72]

Have you read the novel Americanah? Adichie deals with this topic over several chapters with such sarcasm that reading about race can become pure pleasure.