Before you opine, watch the video.
That Brotha l is on code until he proves otherwise. He probably so smart he talks the contract his way everytime. They lowball and he hits them with a space story & next thing you know he has triples his initial ask.He nailed it I got the Holy Ghost. . He basically said I’m not your negro to trot out to talk about race relations. I’m a competent Black man that is an expert on Astrophysics. Respect me as such or keep it pushing.
I don’t agree with this at all. He never spoke against Black people, diminished our plight, or diminished our ancestor’s struggles so how is it off code?I’m not feeling the ”I hardly ever talk about skin color, I wanna make it irrelevant as quickly as I possibly can”. That’s not on code language. His reasoning for trying to change the perception of black people is very sound but he ends with saying he’s not comfortable in the interview (with another black man) talking about being black. This is only a short clip so I won’t vilify him plus he clearly shows an understanding of oppression but it sounds like he’s using his expertise in astrophysics as freedom papers. “I’m an astrophysicist, treat me better!” I draw this conclusion because every time he says talks about being black, he follows that up with not wanting to get invited to speak on black topics. That’s fine by itself but it’s like his main concern is how he is viewed by white people. He’s in an interview with another brother, so why does it matter?
Im pretty sure the full interview gives a better context but from this short clip I’m not feeling this take. I’m a black man, I’m proud to be black, I’m proud of our history; I could give a damn about how white people look at me, for better or worse.
You already know. I bet he is hated behind the scenes because that brotha ain’t gonna let you use his Blackness against him. He don’t care if you think it’s cool that he’s Black, he don’t care if you want diversity in your program, he’s like we here for space…cut the check.That Brotha l is on code until he proves otherwise. He probably so smart he talks the contract his way everytime. They lowball and he hits them with a space story & next thing you know he has triples his initial ask.
I said this particular statement: ”I hardly ever talk about skin color, I wanna make it irrelevant as quickly as I possibly can” isn’t on code language. I’ll reserve total judgment until I see the full clip, I already stated this. My position is a statement like that doesn’t sound too well, but again it’s a sound bite.I don’t agree with this at all. He never spoke against Black people, diminished our plight, or diminished our ancestor’s struggles so how is it off code?
He is not comfortable with the conversation being about his Blackness because society will then typecast him as the “guy to talk to about Black people in physics”.
He is not doing that to appease White people, he’s doing it to make White people respect him for his skill set and expertise.
He said “I will turn down your offer if you try to make me the guy to talk about Black stuff” that is on code as hell.
He is not running from Blackness, he is saying, I’m an expert in Astrophysics and I will be not reduced down to White people’s perception of Black people.
I take my comments back. I can really appreciate this and assume this comes from the urge of wanting to correct the man‘s ignorance across from him.
I was scared watching this and thinking it was going to go off the rails but Neil was exposing White people’s myopia to Black people’s excellence. They can’t even see if it’s in front of their face.
They do that all too often. For example my brother teaches at a mostly white school and since he’s one of the few Black people they send him to give his “perspective” on black issues but when it comes to other issues his name is rarely mentioned. It’s like saying you’re only qualified to tall about “this” than other things. We are Black so we already know about Black issues and how many of us are they going to ask the same questions to?I don’t agree with this at all. He never spoke against Black people, diminished our plight, or diminished our ancestor’s struggles so how is it off code?
He is not comfortable with the conversation being about his Blackness because society will then typecast him as the “guy to talk to about Black people in physics”.
He is not doing that to appease White people, he’s doing it to make White people respect him for his skill set and expertise.
He said “I will turn down your offer if you try to make me the guy to talk about Black stuff” that is on code as hell.
He is not running from Blackness, he is saying, I’m an expert in Astrophysics and I will be not reduced down to White people’s perception of Black people.