(F)orget pulling yourself up by the bootstraps when you don’t have boots or the straps are broken. For many Americans, this analogy conjures up the ideal of good old fashion work ethics to achieve success. The problem is, it only works when you have boots and when your bootstraps are intact.
But how can you really have that expectation when systems in America places groups of people at a disadvantage? Do we really believe everyone has the same opportunities?
It’s like running a 100-yard dash. By design, everyone has the same chance of winning. Right?
But what if Usain Bolt is in the line-up against a baby and someone with a broken ankle? Well? You thought everyone had the same chance of winning. ROFL!!! To remedy this, you’d need to put them in a different position, maybe a few inches from the finish line. But you get my point.
What if you had a house with eight doors but I only gave you the key to the door on the opposite side of the garage? How many times would you park in the garage, get out and walk around before you asked for a key to the door in the garage or at least a closer door? Maybe you’d need to get wet a few times or chased by a dog, but at some point I’d like to think you’d ask for another key or try to unlock the door in the garage.
That’s structural racism-barriers that place groups at a disadvantage. This is what we call a systems approach. We shift gears from the looking at what the individual is capable of doing and look at the system to see if there are issues in the system creating risk and disadvantages.
Enter the word “R” word. If you focus on black people or black issues, you are called a (R)acist. I learned a long time ago, no one has to lose for you to succeed. So, this isn’t about other races, it’s about trying to focus on the plight of one historically disadvantaged group.
I am always challenged when “people” say someone is “playing the race card” when they describe situations, policies or processes that treat blacks differently or that place blacks at a disadvantage.
(S)tuff gets real when you mention the historic insult of slavery.
“Why do you have to go there?” “Slavery is over!” “You weren’t enslaved!”
Let’s flip the script…
Is it possible for individuals and families to reap the benefits of wealth created by their great grandfathers, grandfathers, and fathers? Of course it is. We have celebrities who are known for nothing more than living off the legacy of their forefathers.
So….
Is it possible for individuals and families to be at a disadvantage because of the lack of wealth, lack of education, and lack of equality of opportunity faced by their predecessors?
Absolutely, it’s called inherit disadvantage. Drill down to the root cause and you will always end up at the issue of slavery and the lack of restitution paid to black people who endured the horrible insult.
My disclaimer: Just because I am race conscious does not mean I am a racist. In fact, I am far from racist.
I met a white lady at Kobe’s last night who told me she didn’t see race. I am not certain if she thought that would make me feel comfortable but it was slightly insulting. I’m black and I’m fine with that. But that was not the time or the place to address this issue. If she hadn’t been on her third glass of whatever she was drinking, I may have told her to instead say…”I see people for who they are and how they represent themselves. Respect me and I will respect you.” A completely different narrative.
I am not racist, just aware of the society in which I exist.
Stirring Up Trouble by DrVLoLil 
Hello. I hate this concept of “bootstraps” when said by white people. White people pulled themselves up by walking on the backs of African slaves and the original people who were already here in the Western hemisphere before they died of “germs, guns and abuse”.
White people never had to pull themselves up at all and yet they make a statement of “pulling up” to silence people of color. Just another diversion to keep everyone from seeing the truth.
Thanks for the moderation.
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Hello!
Racism in America has truly been a dark chapter in our nation’s history. The U.S. is STILL the most racist country in the world and White Americans tend to be the biggest hypocrites. Growing up as a middle class white kid in the suburbs, I was fortunate enough to go to a racially and culturally diverse high school here in Central Florida.
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Professor Littleton,
I really enjoyed this topic! I agree wholeheartedly with your perspective, basically for the reasons aforementioned. One thing I would like to add is this idea that there is such a thing as “reverse racism.” Not only do I find this term offensive, it makes me question the person’s thought process when stating this term. In my opinion reverse racism is an excuse for the failures of the ones using the concept “Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps.”
Example, Timmy(white) didn’t get the job over Tyrone(black) because of affirmative action, even though Tyrone was deserving or probably the better candidate. I believe there is true belief among the majority of Caucasians that we all have a equal playing field. We all know this is far from the truth, especially for me being a young black man in America. I understand my existence in this uneven society.
-regards
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Hello!
Racism in America has truly been a dark chapter in our nation’s history. The U.S. is STILL the most racist country in the world and White Americans tend to be the biggest hypocrites. Growing up as a middle class white kid in the suburbs, I was fortunate enough to go to a racially and culturally diverse high school here in Central Florida. I was also lucky enough to have hippy parents who grew up in the seventies and taught me to love and respect everyone, regardless of color, creed or religion. With that being said, throughout my life I’ve witnessed racism and the struggles of the less fortunate first hand. The perpetuation of racism, especially in the south, starts with how people raise their kids. The cycle will never end as long as kids hear their parents spewing racial epitaphs and degrading people who they deem “undesirable.”
When I talk about this subject though, I can’t help to think about are we making it worse by classifying everyone as “black, white, or hispanic” instead of looking at everyone as human beings? Why are we making race so important when in the grand scheme of things it’s not? I know this is a tough pill to swallow considering the historical disasters which plague our country’s history. But there is change happening. Younger generations seem to be for the most part, embracing a new way of thinking. Braking the old train of thought is not easy but we must keep trying.
P.S.
Sorry for the double post, my first one was made in error.
Thanks!
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Hello, I read the article pull yourself up by your boot straps. Easy for some people to say that have not experiences adversity like others have. For someone to say this gives me the idea that they are looking at the other person who is suffering a hardship as if they are not trying hard enough or lazy. I resent this comment because there are so many things that can happen to a person. I am from a mixed-race family and have seen one of my parents deal with discrimination more than the other. No matter how smart or prepared this parent is at times they still get profiled. I recall times when I had seen something wasn’t right and I used my body language to say excuse me but what’s going on and it changed the way my parent was being treated. Pulling your self up by the boots straps is not always posable if they society they live in is not treating them fairly. They can be passed over for jobs for unfair reasons even though they have the qualifications. Having an unfair advantage in life can make a person struggle more than someone who doesn’t have those disadvantages.
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