Racial tension is a major part
of going through African American history; however, one must consider the fact
that there are two types of racial tensions. The first one is the one that is
covered the most, that being interracial tension between whites and blacks. The
other is intra-racial, which stems from within the African American populace.
In Zandria Robinson’s This Ain’t Chicago,
she spends a portion of the book discussing the regional intra-racial
tensions between southern and northern blacks. She formulates the controversy stemming
from authenticity between a “better south” and non- south. Authenticity meaning
specifically the difference between staying where one was raised, and leaving
the south for “better opportunities”.
The tension surrounding this
idea of authenticity stems from music, masculinity, and even family values. In the
various interviews conducted, Robinson was able to get many opinions as to why
the non-south were or are still better than the “better south”. People tend to
believe that rap is illegitimated in the south compared to the north, some
believe that during the 60s in the fight to freedom that southern men were considered
to be de-masculinized. While so much negative connotation came from the north,
as Andre’ 3000 said, “the south got something to say”. Southerners were quick
to defend themselves in addressing how they tend to be humbler and cognizant of
true family values.
While everyone is entitled to their opinions, I can
personally attest to the feeling of abandonment when a family member loses
sight of their roots, once moving up north ultimately to seek better
opportunities. I
am unsure as to what it is about the North that makes one forget about the
foundation and that the South provided? What is it about the North that makes
one want to slowly disassociate or abandon their roots unless in a time of
need? I liked the phrase used in the book about how the south is where black
values were formed and instilled, basically signifying that the south is a
humbling environment. I found these accusations about the inauthenticity of
southern rap to be odd, given the fact that black culture stemmed from the
south including music. I think that the intra-racial tension mainly comes from
the devaluing and ignorance to our history as black people. The comment made in
regards to the reason behind why southern black men are de-masculinized being
because of the non-violent strategies taken to fight injustice also struck me
as odd. This accusation is blamed on their upbringing within the Jim Crow
south, as if that era has not mentally and emotionally affected all of our
black men past, present, and even future. With all this said, how can we encourage
people to not take for granted our history whole heartedly?
I thought it strange when Robinson expressed how Northerners believe the Southern man has been emasculated. I always thought that Southern worked with their hands and did things for themselves. So when I read Robinson's point, it made me realized black Northerners and Southerners have different perspectives of each other. Which also makes me question if the South really returns black people to their roots. Black Northerners have laid a foundation in the North as well.
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