The Spokesperson For All Things Black

While surfing the web I came across a very well written piece in the Harvard Crimson by Lumumba Seegars on his role as the token black.


Being the Token
One person cannot represent an entire race
Published On Friday, February 23, 2007 12:09 A.M.


Being the token black person is not fun. I am expected to be an authority on the lives of all black people. People think I represent all black people and black culture; however, at the same time, I’m supposed to rise above black culture.

What is the token black person? The token is not supposed to be your everyday black person. The token is the good black person. You know, the black person that doesn’t adhere to all the negative stereotypes of black people. People of other races feel a little less threatened by him. Apparently, the token is different from all the other black folk; however, he’s still black enough for people to mention his name when talking about diversity.

The token is expected to know about all things black—he’s your urban teacher. Though the token is not like other black people, he still understands them. If you’re from a place with no black people and your only exposure to them has been movies like “Get Rich or Die Trying,” then the token will be your one black friend that you feel you can trust. Don’t be fooled—it’s not that simple.

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Each One Teach One

Today I was talking to a co-worker (who's White) about this blog and told him about the the poll. When he heard the second question, he gave me a puzzled look. He, like many people of all races, thought Black people didn't need suntan lotion. He thought Black people didn't get sunburned. I had to school him. Now, I must admit that I used to think the same thing. Growing up we didn't use sun tan lotion, but instead baby oil or cocoa butter. We weren't worried about sunburn. We were worried about ash. Not until I learned about pigmentation did I understand that Black people have a higher risk of getting skin cancer than any other race.

Melanin, the pigment that causes color, is in every one ( except for albino's). When White people don't use suntan lotion, their skin gets burned and turns red. The same thing happens to Black people. Instead of turning red, we get darker. We need just as much sun tan lotion as White people, if not more. Now there's nothing wrong , at least for me, with getting darker. It's just that it's not healthy. By using cocoa butter/baby oil/Vaseline, you're frying your skin, just like you fry chicken.

So put that cocoa butter down, pick up some sun tan lotion, and listen to this commentary on Skin Cancer Myths and the African-American Community.