I was reminded today of this line from the poem ”Necessity,” by Harlem Renaissance poet, playwright, and author Langston Hughes, as I read about yet another abuse of a Black person, by racist busybodies and self-appointed guardians of the sanctity of whiteness.
Hughes, like many other Black writers of his day, wrote frequently about the perils and problems faced by those of us of a darker hue, just trying to make it through another day.
By necessity in the time of COVID-19, many Black folks must work, and face death as “essential workers.” However just “being Black” adds another layer to the danger.
When Hughes wrote of dreams deferred and festering sores, in his poem ”Harlem” it was clear that he knew racism, up close and personal.
One would think that since Hughes’ time, the blatant racism that simply being Black in America leaves you open to and aware of would have lessened. And yet rabid virulence reigns—not simply in deaths that are modern-day lynchings, like Ahmaud Arbery’s, but in the day-to-day aggravations and insults that we Black folks learn to cope with, and hopefully avoid getting killed by.
Watching the tears of frustration and anger from appliance delivery man Travis Miller—held for nearly an hour by “nosey” neighbors as he was just doing his job—made me furious.
NowThis offers this short summary of the events.
In US news and current events today, this Black delivery driver got his truck blocked in a gated community because a neighbor wanted to know ‘how he got the gate code.' Travis Miller was making a delivery in the Ashford Hills gated community in Oklahoma. On his way out, the Homeowner’s Association president blocked him in and called the cops. After being held for about 30 minutes, Miller called his dispatcher. Eventually, the Oklahoma man Miller delivered to came out and talked to his neighbor, saying he rightfully had the code.
I spent the morning going over “the list” in my head. “How do white people hate me, and abuse me, and sometimes kill me … let me count the ways.”
Delivering appliances while Black
Jogging/running while Black
Sleeping while Black (Breonna Taylor)
As an exercise, let’s do a quick racism review. CNN Editor Brandon Griggs compiled this list back in 2018, called “Living While Black,” offering a list of things that Black people can’t do without interference from racists.
I’m sure this list has missed some. Which ones can you add?
When Hughes wrote “I Too” in 1926—almost 100 years ago—he was hopeful that one day America would be ashamed of the treatment of “the darker brother” sent to eat in the kitchen.
We’re still waiting.