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A new song from Allen Watty and Irvin Lee, "Sometimes I Wish I Was White," has the singer daydreaming about changing his race so he'd know "how it feels to be treated right."
Ever wish you could change your race?
11:56 AM ET | 11-19-2007 | permalink
I hate this; truley I do. Please take this song down, It says that blacks are totally dependant on whites for our sucsses and that anyone other than blacks can help. I don't hear any Asians singing about being white nor any Whites wishing they were black. Come on Allen Watty; this was a poor to shine the light on a lackluster singing carrer rather than a concience message directed towards race equality.
I have wondered if I would be treated differently if I weren't black. Like your guest said, I love being black, but I do find myself questioning how the outcome of some situations would play out if I weren't a black female.
And I would love to be free of certain stereotypes. I don't like it when people speak to me differently than they would a non-black person. "Hey Girl!" is not something you would say to a non-black person in an office setting so why are you saying it to me? And don't come to me for a debate on rap music or ask me what I think of the latest celebrity who used the n-word. Or tell me what Al or Jesse said in some interview. I don't care! Being black does not make anyone a spokesperson for all black people. I doubt seriously if my white friends are questioned about white celebrity mishaps, etc. And there are no "anointed" white leaders so why are there so-called black leaders? Just a few of my frustrations, but overall I love who I am and would not change a thing. Being black has made me who I am. If I weren't black I would not even be the same person because my experiences would not be the same. And therein lies the question. If I weren't black.
The only time that I have wished that I was white was when I had to explain to my 5 year old daughter that some people may make certain negative assumptions about her or our family because we are black. This is not a conversation that I think that my white neighbors are having with their children. I guess it is less about wanting to be white and more about wanting to live without the added stesses that being black can add to everyday life actions, like shopping, going to school or work and watching or reading the news.
First I want to say that I am surprised that this has not generated more comments. Perhaps everyone is afraid to touch this sensitive issue or there are not many black listeners of the BPP.
I have never wished I was white, I don't think most black folks do. What we all long for is being treated fairly and not being judged by the color of our skin. I have wondered what life would be like if I was white. For me, the sky would be the limit. I have had a good life as a black person, but I know that I do not get treated the same way as white folks in my same circumstance would. What jobs would I have gotten? What apartments could I have rented? What girls could I have dated (of all races, not just white). When people see me they cannot help but see a black man. I am not taken under a mentor's wing because I remind them of themselves as a young man. White people can not relate to me that way. Are the slights real or imagined? I am sure the slights are both real and imagined. However, that is not a burden I would carry as a white person.
So do I wish I was white? No, there is no self loathing here. Do I wish I could be treated fairly and given the same opportunities as whites? Definitely! That however will take at least a thousand years.
The song really isn't controversial to me; it's more of a distraction from the real issues. I have to agree with Jim T. The issue is more about equality rather than wishing to be another race. We as a country can't even truly acknowledge the depth of racism and white privilege here, so we are far from healing. I don't see white people giving up any privilege any time soon, especially since that privilege is not acknowledged. Even with the discrimination and institutional racism faced by Black people today, I'm proud to be Black and wouldn't change it for privilege at the expense of others.
I don't ever wish I was white. I wish I was at white supremacy's funeral. I wish all that white people ever stole from anyone (land, labor,culture ,art and life) was returned with interest. I am proud to be of Native/African American descent.
I agree with D. McCloud. This controversy is a distraction from the real issues - white privilage, collective ignorance of Black American history, the legacy of American slavery. The song does not speak for me. If I "sometimes wish" anything concerning the social construct of being white - I "sometimes wish" I had institutions, images and systems in place that consistently validated and reinforced my existence and value as a humanbeing.
The "ever wish" portion of this question applies to when I was a kid. It wasn't a long drawn out thing for me. There's something inherently beautiful in how each individual has been created, and it's amazing how we come to accept and appreciate this. Nobody wants to be discriminated against or oppressed. Most people would like to attain the higher, [seemingly] less-stressed lifestyle that is enjoyed by others but there seems to be something much more valuable in life that precludes wanting to be someone that you're not.
Perhaps there aren't more comments because the song is musically and lyrically lame, regardless of what it says. Dated beats, clumsy melody and passive, limp language. I wish I could have my seven minutes back.
Fair treatment and respect won't come by asking for it, particularly from an assumed position of inferiority. Nor will it result from displays of mediocrity.
I can't blame people for writing negative comments about this song... it hurts... but they're right... and if you look at the other songs out there discussing legit issues, how is this any different? except for the fact that these feelings are true? (and I'm white)
Glad I'm only half-White. I can tan without burning AND I can dance! I just can't get my hair wet!
I totally understand this song, because yes i wish i white. born a black man would love to be a white woman
I am a biracial 'black' and 'white' mix.
I know I am not nearly as dark as some people, but I have a much darker skin than white people. I am not trying to make any stereotypes with what I say, but my whole life I have grown up in a predominately white atmosphere. At my private school, there was 3 black kids out of 87, so all of my friends were (and mostly are) white. What I hate is how sometimes I am looked over, especially when I am with my friends. It isn't blatantly obvious, but it's there. I can't touch on the prejudice around me, but it's polluting the air, and I am choking on it.
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