A classmate brought up the point that black culture is frowned upon. A white person can then market that same black culture in the guise of white culture and instantaneously receive both success and acceptance. Iggy Azalea was an example of this. Though I do agree with my classmate’s sentiment, they argued that these white artists misrepresent something they are not truly part of and encourage to further the racist regime started by the minstrel shows.

However, there are artists like Eminem who are white and take from black culture in a genuine way. He grew up in a tough environment surrounded by black people and could be say to be assimilated into it. He genuinely represents that culture, but because he’s white there is automatically this connection to white fans who then think its okay take from black culture. My classmate said that if they do not genuinely represent black culture than it promotes racism and the marketing of black culture. Eminem however is genuine but creates the same problem. Is it Eminem’s fault that white listeners can relate to him and further the racist regime of the music industry? Are politics and music always related? Is the artist’s pursuit of their dream immoral because of the political effects it may cause?

I grew up in a highly diverse environment where racism wasn’t something I knew existed. I saw my classmates as equal regardless of gender or race. I’ve found outside of the bubble I had lived in there is a lot of racism and on both sides. They assume all black people pertain to a certain stereotype and all white people are assumed racist. These extreme views cause harm to the majority who aren’t a stereotype and who aren’t racist. It’s created this hostile uncomfortable environment. I know a black person who calls bystanders equally racist and responsible for not aiding blacks against racists. It’s not exactly against a tangible instance of racism but in general. In being silent and not spamming posts about putting down racism, we’re somehow racist. This fabricated guilt is unreasonable. Yes, I can’t understand the racist oppression that blacks have suffered from, but focusing on the negative aspects of the racial problems is not helpful. We don’t hear the stories of community that transcends race. It happens all the time. It’s in fact normal to be not racist but we tend to overlook that. Positive enforcement of good values is better than repeatedly giving attention to negative values.