The Transparency Of Transcending Race

As I watched O.J. Simpson being hauled off to jail on a bail violation, I could not help but laugh a little. It was not so long ago that Mr. Simpson had been anointed by white folks and transformed into one of the few and the proud black folks that had managed to "transcend race." That is until white folks thought he got away with killing his white ex-wife. White folk revoked Simpson's "honorary white man card" with quickness and have been on a serious campaign to lockup his "black ass" since 1994. In 2008, they may very well succeed in squeezing the last few drops of life from the juice!

For me, I never forget the O.J. Simpson lesson. I always become very leery when I hear the phrase "transcending race" because it seems to be such as precarious title for a black person to hold. It takes a whole lot for a black person to transcend race, but it only takes one slip up to descend quickly back into blackness.

Will Smith had "transcended race" until Jewish groups thought he praised Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler in an interview.

Oprah Winfrey had "transcended race" until she put her money and her clout behind Barack Obama for the 2008 presidential race.

Tiger Woods had "transcended race" until another racial slur was directed at him by one of his own "good white friends."

Barack Obama had "transcended race" until he scared white folks and won in Iowa, then Gloria Steinem got frightened and decided to remind everyone that a "real white person" was running for office.

And why exactly is it that white people never "transcend race?" What exactly is so great about being a "temporary" member of their exclusive club anyway?

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