Understanding Black and White in Society

In today’s multifaceted and complex cultural landscape, the expression “I got black, I got white, what you want,” is a reminder of the nuanced reality of social hierarchies and dynamics. Black and white have long been used in western society as a way to divide and separate people, sometimes in subtle and nuanced ways, and other times overtly. By analyzing the meaning and implications of the implied binary of black and white, a greater understanding of the current power structures in our society can be achieved.

Discriminatory Power Dynamics

Whenever black and white are used to describe the world, an implicit bias follows. From the legacy of slavery in America, to the apartheid of South Africa, black and white have been used as a method of distinguishing between dominator and dominated. The preservation of oppressive social structures has been often attributed to racism, sexism, homophobia, and any number of systems of prejudices. By understanding the way power has been used to separate people on the basis of these biases, we can work towards an equitable future.

Moving Towards Equity and Justice

In order to move towards an equal society, we must first recognize how the implications of black and white have served to stratify people in society. As we move away from singularly defining people by their race, gender, or sexuality, and instead strive towards a place of equity, we must acknowledge the power dynamics at play. It is only after understanding the complex construction of identity within the contact of black and white that we can use that knowledge to build towards a more equitable future.

The expression “I got black, I got white, what you want,” is a reminder of the pervasive power dynamics that shape our world. Its implications of separation serve as a reminder of the challenges of creating an equitable society. It is only through understanding the implications of the expression that we can begin the process of dismantling barriers and moving towards a more equal and just world.