Today, February 6th, is reggae legend Bob Marley’s birthday. Were he still alive, he would have been 69 this year. Bob’s music has touched people all over the world, black, white and all shades in between. For a mixed-race, scruffy-headed man who’s love of weed is almost as famous as his music, Bob Marley has transcended borders as a symbol of racial unity and tolerance.So it’s ironic that today, and during Black History Month no less, someone sent me the link to this discussion on the DL Hughley Show. The caller, a white woman, is apparently upset with the fact that Cheerios had the nerve to debut an updated version of their ad featuring an interracial family.Hughley at first, seems to think it’s a prank caller. But as the woman proclaimed her stance as a representative of the “Society of Concerned Cereal Eaters” no less, who feel that “there is no place for an interracial family in the cereal eating community”, it became clear that this was no joke.
Continuing, the female caller made it clear that “cereal is pure; milk goes on top it, it’s white.” Then, after referring to Hughley repeatedly as “your type” she adds, “let’s just leave the interracial stuff off the commercials. You can do it with Oreos maybe, but not cereals!”
LISTEN: White Callers on Interracial Cheerios Commercial
First, I’m more surprised that there is a society of cereal eaters, than by this woman’s comments. As hurtful as it is to listen to, I’m sure she is not alone in her opinions. The fact is that race is, and will continue to be an issue for a long time. Truth be told, there are many blacks who hate white people just as much as some whites hate blacks. Just last year, I had to listen to a black father who was quite upset at the fact that his daughter was marrying a white man – and expressed great discomfort with the idea of his future interracial grandchildren!
I consider myself Black, not African American. I’m not one of those persons who has a panic attack every time someone says something derogatory about Blacks. Unless it’s someone with whom I have to communicate regularly, I care not about their opinions of me or my race. While I acknowledge the pain caused by racism, and the unnecessary harassment interracial families have to endure (remember Bill de Blasio’s campaign?) I do not believe I have to stifle another’s right to their opinions and free speech in order to protect my feelings.
There are many things that offend me in television shows and commercials, but while I may not find other’s opinions and lifestyles agreeable, I respect their right to coexist in the same space (physical, virtual, and electronic) as I. There will always be those who feel that our “type” should know our place and stay there. I say give them more Bob Marleys, and Usain Bolts, and Bobsled Teams!
One Love!