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Who are You? Who are You Percieved to Be?


My social media timeline catalogs photo moments of pride, celebration, mischief, and bad decisions. Despite the many incriminating photos of me with red cups and distasteful Halloween costumes, someone outside of my network would describe me as a young educated woman who is active in the outrigger paddling community and enjoys throwing a good house party. You see, I am White, and because of that, my race will provoke a positive narrative of my character regardless of my actions.

#iftheygunmedown went viral after the murder of Michael Brown, a young Black male from Ferguson Missouri as a statement against the media’s radicalized and bias narrative of Black people. In the case of Michael Brown, and many other stories of people of color, the media chose photos to share with the public that depicted a single story of who he was and one that played into a negative stereotype of his race. People who have shared posts with this hastag present two photos: one of them in graduation gowns, with family, and/or honorable occupations, and another of them that may perpetuate a stereotype of their race without context. 

As a White person, with the privilege of not having to think about my race daily, #iftheygunmedown was a re-learn of the individual and institutional racism that impacts people of color, particularly Black males. On an individual level, I was reminded that my race affords me the privilege to not fear that a photo of me might portray negative associations such as fear, violence or anger. I was also reminded that the media, which is creeping with institutional racism, holds an uncomforting power in shaping my perspective of specific communities that I must confront and question in order to contribute to stopping the cycle of oppression. 

My peaceful thoughts are with the Ferguson Missouri community, and I hope there will be action and progress towards racial justice.
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