When Barack Obama was first elected in 2008, for many that signaled the start of a new era. A “post-racial” America. Gone were the days of rampant racism and prejudice. No, America was striding into a new age, of course it would leave its vices behind. Yes, racism of the KKK variety may still exist, but so long as you stayed away from backwards country folk and Nazi apologists it was nothing to worry about. Our president was Black, so of course the days of racism were behind us, right?
To most people of color, the answer is obvious: not even close. In fact, Obama’s presidency ushered in a wave of racial attacks, both blatant and subtle, unlike any seen since the days of the civil rights movement. At the University of Kentucky, a life-sized replica of Obama was found hanging from a tree by a noose while in Standish, Maine a sign was hung in shop reading “Osama Obama Shotgun Pool” – customers at this shop were able to make $1 bets on when the newly inaugurated president would be assassinated.
Some may ask how, in a “post-racial” America, can this be? Obama was clean cut, smooth talking, tall, and rarely seen in anything less than his Sunday best. He was such a respectable looking Black man–not like those boys from the hood who lack aspirations or self discipline.
The answer is simple: it doesn’t matter.
Respectability is, according to the National park Service, “…a set of social guidelines dictating acceptable behavior, from clothing to the way someone interacts with those around them.” Basically, it’s the idea that based off of our appearances and actions Black people can shape the way society interacts with them. At first glance, it’s not a bad idea. If there are certain things that are negatively associated with Blackness, then surely by distancing ourselves from those things we’re protecting ourselves, right? The problem, however, is that distancing yourself from “Blackness” doesn’t change the way society will see you.
The truth is this: you can go have your bespoke suit handmade for you in Italy, drop ten thousand on some vegan leather dress shoes, wear a Rolex on your wrist and a 24 karat gold wedding band on your finger, use the queen’s English and make sure nothing is ever about race: at the end of the day none of these things will make you respectable.
Respectability is rooted in the false idea that what society finds unrespectable about Black people is what they do rather than who they are. It’s your Blackness itself that isn’t respected and no matter what you do to distance yourself from it, at the end of the day a Black man wearing a custom-made suit is still a Black man. Respectability puts the burden of oppression on the oppressed and finds the oppressor innocent of any wrongdoing.
Now it’s important to note that being “respectable” will likely protect you for a time. It might very well get you into white spaces where there’s not another POC in sight, or get you the position that you’ve always dreamed of. What it won’t do is change the way people see you and, more importantly, when things go wrong all that respect goes out the window. If former president Barack Obama couldn’t escape stereotypes, racial slurs, and threats despite having the highest position in the country, then what chance does the average Black citizen have?
There will be times when appealing to White sensibilities will be the best and safest move for many of us, however, it’s important to remember that this doesn’t guarantee us respect. It’s also important to remember that we are no more respectable than the Black person who does not appeal to these white sensibilities. Above all else, we must recognize that respectability cannot and will not save us.
