I certainly agree with the sentiment, but I feel like the director is under the impression that only non-white men/Black men do this….then I went to her website and I wasn’t sure what to think…the cover of her book shows a black woman with a white man. What does that tell us?
Does that tell us that we should stick to dating white men and everything will be all right?
Does that tell us that white men are the only men with sense?
My younger sister was dating a white boy at her school. My mother told her she doesn’t trust white men, and then my sister replied, “well I don’t trust any guys. Any man of any race can be a jerk, mom.”
I tend to agree.
In any case: Like the documentary, not sure if I agree with all her sentiment.
What do YOU think?
December 28, 2008
elledub08
black girl blogging. 
8 responses to “Black Woman Walking: A Documentary”
Mike
December 28th, 2008 at 22:04
Yea, I’m sorry I just don’t agree. First I would has to question where do you hang out at? Because it seems like almost everyone’s experience seems to be the same, negative. Perhaps we need to question the places we go. In the case of one of the young women I know for a fact not EVERY black male doesn’t approach her on the same ‘wackness’ she’s described. I think a lot of times we drive these perceptions further when woman (or men) generalize bad experiences to be the totality of their experience.
Ginger
December 28th, 2008 at 22:27
I think the whole thing is simple and lacks depth. I think the director is trying to prove a point which supports the premise of that book she just wrote. Ehhh, its a great example of why we must teach our daughters to read and explore the world or else you’ll be stuck in a box thinking that your experience is indicative of the world at large. IE All black men are no good.
Renee
December 29th, 2008 at 20:41
The problem is that she only targeted black men. All men are capable of abusive behavior. This is more an issue of sexism than it is an issue of race.
LULU
December 30th, 2008 at 02:01
I agree with those who say that no race has the monopoly on sexism. As far as the director of that video goes, I’ve come across her blog before. It was linked to/from other websites promoting interracial relationships for Black women, websites where people write things like “White men are more cultured and attractive than Black men” and “only White men can save us” with absolutely no push back. I don’t remember if the director herself made such toxic statements, but I just thought I’d share that information.
I’ve always found the conversations surrounding sexism, race, and Black women interesting. I’ve had sexist White men treat me in a manner that I know they wouldn’t treat White women (or Black men). But, these interactions have never been sexual in nature (just rude and dismissive). Unfortunately, I’ve had men of color objectify me or approach me in an unseemly manner. But, I’ve never taken my experiences to mean that men of color are more sexist than White men.
I’ve always assumed I didn’t get sexual comments from White men because they don’t see me as sexy, not because they’re more enlightened. As a Black woman, I’m so far from their blonde, blue-eyed dream girl that I’m not deemed “worthy” of their “compliments” (I think many sexist idiots indeed think their disgusting come-ons are flattering and complimentary). I’ve read many amazing Black female bloggers write about the objectification of women of color by White men. I understand the historical context (especially as it relates to slavery), but the contemporary stories those bloggers tell have never mirrored my own. I’ve often wondered how many Black women have had experiences like mine. I often feel like I’m the only one.
Of course, the desexualization/mammyfication of Black women is just another form of racialized sexism (and another post unto itself!). This notion that White men are less sexist is really ridiculous. Someone on Racialicious once summed it up perfectly: “Who do these people think White women are having most of their negative experiences with?” It would be interesting to ask White women (and East Asian women, who are often fetishized by White men) about catcalling and inappropriate comments from White men. I’m sure we’d find that White men aren’t all Prince Charming, either.
Candy
January 31st, 2009 at 07:28
Wow, this is interesting. I must say that the author is an extremist, and it is a shame because she does have valid points. The women in this video could very well have been me. I know these experiences all too well. But, I will say that a lot of it has to deal with class and maturity. Personally, I am from the suburbs, but I have spent a lot of time in inner city areas where most of the misogyny takes place. Dudes from ranging in age from 16-60 have no problem harassing me. When I am in more upscale neighborhoods it only, happens with a group of young brothers trying to be cool. I have never had a brother in a suit or even ones that are non-hoods disrespect me in this manner.
But, I am still disrespected a lot. My two best friends are white and Asian and whenever we go out together, I always hear these disrespectful remarks from Black men. It has gotten to the point that they expect it to happen as much as I do. Once while walking with my Asian friend and her sister, a guy said something to me. As we were walking away, my friend told her sister “Oh yeah, we have to protect Candy.” And went on to say that this kind of thing doesn’t happen with “regular guys.” It sadden me that she thought this way, but all of her experiences had taught her that this was true. The only time we were accosted by non-black men is when we were walking by drunken frat-boys sitting outside their frat houses. If we saw those same guys on a Tuesday afternoon, we wouldn’t hear nada.
This phenomenon is also extremely prevalent among Latino and European men. Especially, European men. They are the WORST! If the author took a trip to Italy or France, she might throw up her hands and decide to stick with the brothas. LOL But, from my experiences European and Latino men approach me, but they DON’T scream obscenities when I reject their advances. They just keep it moving. Not so with many brothas.
All in all, I think that we need to talk about misogyny in our community. Just because “Everybody else does it” that does not mean that it is acceptable. I want to feel safe when I am in the company of my men, not feel like I always have to be on the defense.
elledub08
February 1st, 2009 at 19:00
I never said it was acceptable in our community for brothers to catcall and harass us. If I gave you that impression I apologize because that’s not what I meant.
I realize that it hurts more when it is our own brothers doing it.
I also realize that not every woman has had non-Black men engage in this behavior but many have.
I’ve been harassed by white and asian men too.
the white man was unfortunate. he asked if he could have some of that “sweet black ass”
but yes, i do agree that we DO need to talk about misogyny in our communities…..if not for any other reason than for the fact that many black men are sexist and misogynist and don’t realize it.
and that isn’t just a class thing….my ex was college educated and a black professional and still fed into the misogynist thinking that plagues are community
this isn’t about class this is about gender and what is acceptable and expected for each gender.
8thlight
February 1st, 2009 at 19:56
The director feels that white is right. I saw her site as well and it made my stomach turn seeing all of the message boards and blogs that were blindly posting her video.
Golden Silence
February 13th, 2009 at 18:29
“The director feels that white is right. I saw her site as well and it made my stomach turn…”
No she doesn’t! The blog linked and being talked about in this post is CW’s blog, and she IS NOT Tracey Rose. Because CW linked the video to her page and her YouTube channel, people are confusing her with Tracey Rose. The two women have two different opinions on things.
Here’s an interview with Tracey Rose: Interview with Tracey Rose
Now that you’ve seen that, judge by that interview, not by someone else’s views on Black men’s relationships with Black women.