News With Nezua | The White Professional Anti-Racist
IN THIS ERA of shifting cultural demographics and a shrinking white population, some heroes are gettin’ paid to be the Enlightened Whites. Unfortunately, too often this means repeating oppressive power structures but under the guise of altruism.
As you can see, this one—though short—involved some serious production! It was a lot of fun, though. I’ve been busy with numerous things as usual, so while I am still working on the script (with some friends) for the Avenida Almasol Xmas Speshul, it isn’t done, and I’m not sure it will be done by Christmas. Oh well, we’ll try to finish it as soon as possible, and put it out when done. Meanwhile, enjoy the latest from XOLAGRAFIK studios, a short piece on the insidious and ludicrous nature of the Professional White Anti-Racist.
Remember: You can catch News With Nezua episodes first at La Frontera Times on Sundays, and if you prefer a dark room, visit the XOLAGRAFIK Theater!
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Transcript for News With Nezua Video “The White Professional Anti-Racist” by Nezua transcript by Arban
SPOKEN:[NEZUA]
Hola Gente, and welcome to News With Nezua! (Translation from Spanish, “What’s up, people, and welcome to News With Nezua!”
[Flamenco/Latin style music]
[Latin music fades into suspenseful cinematic score ]
TITLE: “Chapter 11.4: The White Professional Anti-Racist”
Lower Third Graphic: “XICANOLICIOUS COMMENTARY: theunapologeticmexican.org“
SPOKEN [NEZUA] (in serious movie trailer dramatic tone)
“2009. The era of our having elected president a black man, as well as a national realization that the cultural landscape is shifting.”
“In roughly 40 years, the white population of the United States will be a minority, for the first time since the British settlers swept into indigenous communities, and with great violence and grand purpose, established a dominant order.”
“As more and more non-white-centric voices begin speaking from their communities, and for their own experience, largely aided by the open arms of a low barrier Internet media publishing environment, a perverse new profession arises: The White Professional Anti-Racist.”
“Because for some, it is not satisfying enough to live right, not glorious enough to build, and support your own community, not lucrative enough to simply live the struggle, and as the psycho-social phenomenon known as “whiteness” surely would demand to know: why give up power, anyway?”
NEZUA APPEARS ON SCREEN AS CHARACTER “LYLE DOUCHEE-WAY”
[patriotic music]
SPOKEN [NEZUA] (in a nerdy comic voice)
“I’d like to begin by welcoming all you POC to my group, ” The Racial Equality Social Justice & Media. “
“My name is Lyle Douchee-Way, and I am a professional anti-racist. “
“As you can see…”
[holds up sign around neck that says "anti-racist"]
“everybody get a good look at that? Good!”
“I am credentialed by having many brown friends, and an overwhelming desire to see my anti-racist visions come to life…and if you behave properly, you can even help me carry those out. Wouldn’t that be satisfying, in this world of inequality? “
“Now, as I am always extremely aware of my white privilege, I’d like to kick this off by letting people of color speak.”
[goofy 60's game show music]
“So, first we’ll go to your friend and mine, white ally, Jerry Jackalorde!”
“Did I see a hand?”
[a character in the audience waves hands manically]
“Mmmm, not sure, I don’t really see anyone…Alright then Jerry, oh wait, maybe, maybe, there’s a hand up over here, so, as I take this question…”
[lifts tiny person out of the audience]
“I would like to point everyone to the materials under your seats. On these papers you will see many fine references and informations and sources that you can refer to in your own battle for racial equality and social justice.
[turns to small person in his hand]
“Now how can I help you Pedro?”
Pedro:
“¿porque en los papeles no hay gente latina, solo gente que hablan por los latinos?”
translation: Why is it that on these papers, there are no Latino sources? Only people who speak for Latinos.
Lyle:
“Well, see first of all, being that I am always aware of my white privilege, I should first state that I understand you language, because that you and I share something of the same culture, uh, no, no, no, I’m not Mexican, no, my parents have a summer house, and I had a gardener who looked alot like you, Pedro, and, uh, I’m sorry to have to say this, but, um, I can’t answer your question, because you have abused the rules.”
“And the rules in your papers state that you may not speak over 6 seconds, and Pedro, Pedro, you are clearly into your 8th second, and we have to have order here, as everyone knows, there is no social justice without order.”
“Now, shall we return to our program? Take it away Jerry”.
[flamenco guitar]
ONE SCREEN TEXT: This week’s episode of News with Nezua was made possible by LFT lafronteratimes.com
feedback, ideas, questions, info, ad buys:
NWN[AT]NEZUA[DOT]NET
Twitter: @NewsWithNezua
NEZUA: all writing, lighting, shooting, editing, arte & scoring
a XOLAGRAFIK production
Tags: Ally, Organizer, The White Lens, whiteness
Posted in Featured, Filmmaking/Video, News With Nezua
OMG! LOL! So true…
Too funny Carnal!!! That was great! Kudos!!! Keep on plugging!!!
gracias, bro!
That was hilarious, especially since yup I have been to too many conferences and events and been played by peeps like the white anti-racist professional activist and their POC friends who have no problem using radical, independent POC media makers for their own power tripping.
word….thanks mala
BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
imao…as a very very wise person has told me, and i know it to be true, “this is a real dynamic out here with real consequences.”
straightup.
This was all genius but the rule was the best part! I have seen that play out so many times almost exactly like that, down to the long lecture about how we have to abide by the rules, the lecture that took up three times as much time as the question.
And it’s always the people who make up the rules who then throw up their hands when the rules are revealed to be problematic. “What can we do? Those are the rules. If we change the rules, it’s not fair.”
You know that, after this scene, this guy would totally complain to his “allies” about how angry minorities are all the time.
Yes, or “destructive” or “divisive.” You know the type, you know the dynamic….
Thank you, Aunt B.
Ha Ha. That is funny. In my undergraduate years, and still today in my Law School years(more from my fellow students), I’ve come across the “white professional anti-racist”.
Here is a question( a couple actually) I’m curious to have answered from you, Nezua: Would this “white professional anti-racist” label apply to all white professionals that “help” improve the lives of non-whites? I’ll use myself as a case study: I am white(though some have called me trans-mexican for my comraderie with the guys in the back of the pizzeria), a soon-to-be professional(attorney), and I plan on becoming an immigration attorney, which will as a result “help” “non-whites”. Am I then a “white professional anti-racist?
This might be a question a person has to answer for themselves, amigo. Peace. And thanks!
Hmmm, well then scratch using me as a case study. What about the first question: ” Would this “white professional anti-racist” label apply to all white professionals that “help” improve the lives of non-whites?
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
That’s flawless, Nez – you hit it exactly. Oh, the PAIN of the familiarity. I’m having PTSJOSMSD (Post Traumatic Social Justice Organization Staff Meetings Stress Disorder) flashbacks now.
The production values are so awesome, too: makes me wish you’d make one of these for each entry in the glosario (I know, that would be years of work – but a girl can dream).
Hilarious and fierce, as ever.
XOJ
thanks so much for the energy and thoughts, jessamyn. i’d love to make that series you speak of.
Quote of the year: “I’m having PTSJOSMSD (Post Traumatic Social Justice Organization Staff Meetings Stress Disorder) flashbacks now.”
Excellent work, thank you. Funny as hell, too, and really well done. And DAMN good food for thought.
thanks Macon.
You haven’t answered my question. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think any blogger is obligated to respond to its readers in a detailed manner. But, at the very least, you could say you don’t/can’t want to answer the question.
From one white person to another, a gift you may find useful.
The short version being: You got your answer with your first post. Demanding more is an act of privilege.
Are you going around to all the Latino bloggers asking them questions?
Bryan, with all due respect, if you watch that video and can’t tell if it means you or not, it probably does mean you.
Wow! I’d like to thank Bryan J. for coming to this thread and generously volunteering to show us all what the classic white professional anti-racist looks like. For a second, I almost thought he was a real white guy who was so clueless that he actually assumed that the people of color on this thread would be impressed with his “credentials” and give him the ghetto-pass he’s obviously looking for.
::sigh::
Bryan, where I come from, silence is understood as an inability or unwillingness to respond.
I answered your question truthfully as I know how to already, and have no more information for you.
Moreover, I don’t know what my opinion matters in your life, or how much weight it ought command. You seem to place a lot of value on it. But please don’t ask me to validate that assignation of worth.
Since the thread has now been jacked, I feel I should respond, but really I’ve nothing more to add, regarding your self-image. It is your call to decide the good and harm you are doing in your deeds, as it is all of us. I don’t know you.
Peace, bro.
Wow, well-stated responses to the derailment above. I have nothing further to add, y’all pretty much nailed it. Awesome.
word. it seems gente have the situation covered!
Hey all,
I wasn’t trying to press my credentials or anything of the sort; I shouldn’t have inserted myself as a Case Study. I asked out of curiosity, not out of any sort of defense mechanism.
Maegan:
Ever since I saw the Unapologetic Mexican’s link to the Longislandwins.com blog, I have delved further into the “Latino” blogs. With any blog I go to that I find interesting, I like to comment,simply because I find the topics interesting to me. To perhaps nail the point home, Latin America, since I took a class on it in my undergraduate years, has been of great interest to me; I enjoy the warm people, the stunning variety of culture, the grand vistas, and the list goes on. There is more to this, but I’d rather not disclose it here, where it all too often seems that individuals jump to trying to judge a person by a couple of words posted on a comment board.(see Bint Alshamsa’s comment)
Bint’s sarcastic, presumptive comment is disturbingly similar to what people wrote to me when I decided to challenge the extreme anti-immigrant ALIPAC on their comment boards. (American’s for Legal Immigation). In other words, attacking the individual before knowing anything about said individual.
Anyway, thanks for your response, Nezua.
Bryan, that’s pretty crummy of you. Personally I think they knew enough about you as an individual to answer as they did. You put yourself out here and you don’t like the response, but it’s an organic one and if nothing else, clueing you into the fact that you are out of touch with internet ettiquette. I have half a mind to delete this latest comment where you attack my readers for reacting to your derailing. They are my friends, not just online but in person. You, on the other hand, are someone who knows nobody here and still feels important enough to command an entire thread and make it all about you, insisting on a response that you are in no way entitled to demand. Clearly neither ALIPAC nor us appreciate your method. If both the right and the left are kicking your style to the curb, maybe then you should examine it. Peace.
Nezua, you speak of “internet etiquette” yet you mock, in your video, the “rules” set up by white anti-racist professionals. Deleting my comment? What ever happened to free and open discussion?
And yet you still don’t see what you are doing. It’s impressive, the will to ignorance in humans…and especially certain humans.
PS, I can answer you now. Yes, it is very possible the Professional White Anti Racist describes you. Which makes sense. Why else would you have such a burr under your saddle? We can even find line by line analogies such as “my parents had a summer home there” and “since I took a class on it in my undergraduate years, has been of great interest to me; I enjoy the warm people, the stunning variety of culture, the grand vistas, and the list goes on.”
Go away, Bryan. And be whatever you are.
Oh, would that more internet discussions were handled so gracefully, Nez!
I was kinda leaning in his favor at the beginning, as your caricature seemed a touch over the top to me (but then, that’s the nature of caricature, isn’t it?) and he seemed to feel you were implying something about ALL professional white folks who approach minority communities with intent to help, but from your response to his first comment onward, you were the perfect host, and he only showed himself to be more of a tool.
I try to suspend doubt, because there are those who mean well but need some time learning some things that are not visible to them in an early arc of a learning journey. But many who come pretending to be open and amiable will soon devolve into attack and pettiness if they dont get what they want. They always show themselves in time, as Bryan J. has with his last comments revealing not much more than a desire to delegitimize my position with a rather disingenuous line of questioning.
Even if my caricature were describing his position, I am not obligated to confirm or deny any random readers’ doubts, and getting aggressive and insulting when this imagined privilege is not gifted shows this type to be rather petty.
The funny part is these sorts think they are fresh n original. When I’ve seen these dynamics play out about two thousand times already….why on earth would I rush to jump into such stagnant waters?
Thanks for your words, Pablo.
Update: Here are Bryan J’s most recent comments.
I remind you I’ve been nothing but polite to him, even in the face of inappropriate pushiness. What I did by abstaining from rejecting or confirming his question was simply (and wisely, as I see it) refuse to insult or absolve a person I don’t know because I don’t feel it is in my power to do either. And finally, the person who feels it their right to dictate my comment thread’s direction, and also who claims to be so enamored of the people and lands of which I am part, calls me a hypocrite, a “scourge,” and—ironically—a dictator.
Welcome, my friends to the puffed up self-importance and authoritarian stance now found in our “White Ally.” Whether or not Bryan J is a “Professional White Anti-Racist” I still will not rule on…though it seems clearer as we move forward.
PS, Bryan, no you have not been “banned.” But when commenters begin insulting either me or my regular readers or act in bad faith or get aggressive, I put them on moderation as I do not trust where they are coming from and I believe in maintaining a certain vibe in my joint—I don’t want to leave the house and come back to shit thrown on the walls. I’ve not yet been proven wrong on this being the best move.
I’m not worried about what you think of me because I don’t do what I do for the approval of white knights. Nor will you do what you do for my approval. So nothing is lost in the struggle, have no fear.
Peace.
It is interesting to see how people present themselves after the thin veneer of politeness is stripped away. Bryan J. goes into hyperbolic mode and fails to learn anything. The hardest thing that I had to learn was the art of listening. Knowing when to sit back and stfu is really hard for white guys as we have been taught from day 1 that we never have to shut up and listen.
Hopefully Bryan J. will learn something from this…that you don’t just bust into a community and treat said community like you are entitled to something.
yup. well said.
i’d add a short note that as a male specifically, it’s a good one to watch out for in ourselves.
thanks eric…
Every time I come to your site I get all confused by the infinite technical innovations. Guess it’ll keep me young, always having to learn something new.
Great work, not just this vlog, but all of ‘em … amazing, new, original, mind blowing, dangerous, fabulous.
I am not yet a white professional anti-racist but only a white amateur anti-racist.
These folks loudly proclaim that they have read the book … and then insist on leading those who wrote the book.
Happy holiday to you and yours, Nezua.
hey good to see ya NPK! thanks for your energy, as always. happymerrydaze!
One thing I’ve noticed about PWARs (and I’m saying this as a white person): many people with white privilege go into situations believing that they have the answers to any situation, that they can relate to anyone else’s experiences without trying, without listening. And that therefore talking is the first step to take in their anti-racist work. In reality, that ain’t the case–the first step is to step back and listen to the experiences of actual people of color, whether it’s online, in a book, in person, whatever. One can never truly be anti-racist if one believes one knows everything about other people’s life experiences already.
(Though I will admit that the listening-not-talking thing might be easier for a shy little introvert like me. But if one is serious about anti-racism, it’s a skill that needs to be mastered.)
so true. and also simply as a decent human. it wasn’t until i took practicums in Counseling in college and began to pay attention to all the physical signals of impatience and self-focus that we so often give off when others begin to speak to us that i realized how poor i had been at listening. those signals point to a lack of engagement for whatever reason. so we go there if we want to be better communicators. it’s been a journey since then. one i think every person owes every other person to make in whatever fashion they know how.
Thanks for sticking up for me as I “battled” the racist at Crooks and Liars, nezua!
Mr. Nezua,
Given my upbringing in the American south, I must admit that I look to the much-maligned “white professional anti-racist” with some degree of longing. I mean, I really wish rural Arkansas had this particular problem. Can you send those dudes out our way?!
In any case, thank you for your provocative and humorous journalism. This video is great and I will be sending it out to all my friends and colleagues for further discussion (not to mention lols). Keep up the good work!
Much respect,
rynsa
Rynsa, hey, thanks for commenting.
No doubt there are more immediately dangerous and dire irritations or forms of oppression than co-option and acting out the role of the PWAR, and yes, you are welcome to them! All about context, as you imply. Here is one particular context, and thanks for passing it on where applicable and appreciated. Peace out! Enjoy your New Year’s Eve.
[...] Unapologetic Mexican News with Nezua on [...]
[...] The White Professional Anti-Racist January 12, 2010 — Restructure! The White Professional Anti-Racist (News With Nezua): [...]
Hey,
I just tried leaving a comment but it didn’t go through.
In short, here’s what I said:
1. Wow.
2. Dope, dope blog.
3. All well-written/articulated, engaging, thoughtful, etc.
4. Thank you for what you’re doing; I’m now curious to explore the rest!
-DS
PS – I’m now curious to learn more about what you’ve learned,re: Practicum in Counseling. I am so fascinated by communication cues. I’m lookin’ it up!
Danya, I really appreciate all of that!
On body cues, dunno, I’m sure you can find a lot of good stuff. I got my degree in Upstate New York area in a small school that was a big part of legitimizing national curriculums based solely on counseling for dependencies/substances, working up to the CASAC, etc. but I’m sure this full body/listening stuff one could read about in a few different milieus. I was working hands-on with professionals who may have drafted that course based on their own practice, too. I guess I’m saying I’m not sure what you’ll find, pretty sure whatever pops on Google won’t be exactly what I studied, but also guessing you can find stuff just as insightful out there in a few places. My own quick 2¢? Just be mindful of your body. And energy. You may find yourself tapping a finger, foot, looking over someone’s shoulder, at a watch…and so on. Or clearing your throat, sighing, cutting people off. Many things. But you can catch it all by being mindful. And plugging into the conversation more, the person more, their energy. Which will automatically signal them, even if unconcsciously (it works on a phone, too, though to a lesser extent) that you are listening. This will enable more open and honest exchanges. True listening is rare. That’s what I’ve learned, as well as found by paying attention. A downside? Studying these signals in yourself may/will also make you more aware of when others stop listening fully to you!
Hope to see you around. I’ve taken a little break since New Year’s, so I’m only doing a video and a roundup on immigration news each week for now. But I’ll be around!
Danya, I got a bit carried away trying to help someone who was interested. Just to swing us back to topic, I need to note that what I’m talking about in counseling practicums is different than this. There is unconscious not-listening-fully——something we can all use work in generally, especially in such a distracted and selfish culture as pervades so much of the US——and then, there is a willful, systemically encouraged, enabled, and insidious non-hearing and minimizing/eradication of certain voices and ideas, which we call many names, among them “oppression” or “racism” or “white supremacist values” or in other cases “misogyny” and “sexism” and “homophobia” and so on.
Hey Nezua,
You don’t happen to have a partial script/transcript that you originally wrote on the computer, and which can be easily copied and pasted online, do you?
Great production quality, by the way! You’re a great actor, too. So multi-talented.
Thank you so much!
I usually have transcriptions provided by Arban, a friend online and fan of the show. We have been a bit lax lately, but I believe I will have a transcription in my hand later today, will send to you if you provided an email address when you left this comment. Thanks again for the support.
Thanks for transcript, Arban!
Thanks for e-mailing it to me and posting it, Nezua!
Happy to help, R. Thanks for spreading the good word.
Found you through Restructure! I enjoyed the video and the ensuing discussion. Loving the positive energy you are working with.
Peace
Thanks so much, Southland Diva. Good to see ya here!
wow…this went from hitting a nerve to going straight to what is known as spine…awesome. as danya said, “dope, dope blog”.
Great analysis. All I can say is this: Those who are offended by Nezua in this section are likely those perpetrating the aforementioned problems. So-called white progressives who use social causes to better their resume should be seriously ashamed. Unfortunately it is something that is often too common. Kudos on a great article and best of luck in Yucatan!
thanks, bro!
Well played!
The White Professional Anti-Racist http://bit.ly/5rxDWX by @nezua. “I’m always aware of my white privilege.” bwahahaha!
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News With Nezua | The White Professional Anti-Racist [UMX | El Machete] http://bit.ly/5smi23
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RT @unapologeticmex News With Nezua | The White Professional Anti-Racist http://bit.ly/7HqNhk …bravo
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“Órale! New Post: News With Nezua | The White Professional Anti-Racist: IN THIS ERA of shifting..” http://bit.ly/5rxDWX via @nezua
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RT @nezua Órale! New Post: News With Nezua | The White Professional Anti-Racist: IN THIS ERA of shifting.. http://bit.ly/5rxDWX {WHOOT!}
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News With Nezua | The White Professional Anti-Racist http://ff.im/-dh4jx
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Great video spoof of professional white anti-racists. http://bit.ly/4nSgUy The truth hurts.
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If you didn’t catch it 1st time RT @GraigMeyer Great video spoof of professional white anti-racists. http://bit.ly/4nSgUy The truth hurts.
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Great video spoof of professional white anti-racists. http://bit.ly/4nSgUy The truth hurts. via @ludovicspeaks @GraigMeyer
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This post on white anti-racists http://bit.ly/4nSgUy by @nezua got even more enlightening in the comments. Worth a read. Like, right now.
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RT @rosettathurman: Great video spoof of professional white anti-racists. http://bit.ly/4nSgUy < — this was hilarious.
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
RT @rosettathurman: This post on white anti-racists http://bit.ly/4nSgUy by @nezua got even more enlightening in the comments. Worth a r …
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Check it! THX @rosettathurman http://theunapologeticmexican.org/elmachete/2009/12/21/news-with-nezua-the-white-professional-anti-racist/
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@corvusriley fffwahahaha http://theunapologeticmexican.org/elmachete/2009/12/21/news-with-nezua-the-white-professional-anti-racist/
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