Black Vegan Mammy-ism: Sacrificing My Emotional Health for the White Vegan Status Quo

[fashionerdxo]

well as a Black fashion blogger, I def go through the same thing. There are many topics within the realm of racism in fashion that I would love to address but I don't want to come of as abrasive or an angry black woman. Therefore I have to watch what I say and word everything in a certain tone. It really f*cking bugs me but as long as I am alive and black this will go on. So sad, you are beautiful btw! <3

[IAMWILLETTE]

I am a Black woman just getting into juicing, raw, and MOTHER LAND foods. I do believe that by nature, we are compassionate. BEING that we Are the mother RACE, it is difficult to hurt our CHILDREN. That's the way I see it, now. I remember having a couple of White associates invited over to my home and because I didn't them to feel comfortable or offened, I removed some pictures of Black Jesus from my walls. I didn't want them to think I was a angry Black militant.

[SheaAddiktion]

I so love this video!!! It is so hard a s black woman in a predominately white atmosphere to express yourself verbally without being taken as too aggressive, militant or hostile. It makes me angry that I can hear white women say foul vile things and if I say anything I have an attitude or I'm aggressive. Its stressful always having to pick your words carefully at all times when they can speak freely without much issue

[Shivelybanetek]

I guess its impossible for any black American to talk about black on white or even black on light skinned black racism. BTW most vegans have no idea how to be a healthy vegan and get all their nutrients from mixing and matching the right combination of veggys etc. BTW I agree with what you said about the mammy

[MrTomglondon]

I'm so glad to have come across this, thanks for educating me x

[AllieEmet]

Personally, I find it best to cut these sort of exchanges short. I'll simply say, "I'm not going to have this conversation" and then suggest what that person might want to research if they're really interested in the topic. In my opinion, they are usually NOT genuinely interested. If they were they would have previously studied the subject on their own and there would be little need for the very conversation they're attempting to have. Don't let them waste your energy, sis. Peace :)

[kizziAug]

Pt.2- at first when I saw it. I guess I am big on finding a way to bring healing and freedom from our own mental slavery, that is living ourselves based in our past or out fear of what others think of us in this society. It's tough for us trying to come to terms with the past in a present time where everyone acts like it didn't happen. I say all this to say I get it, your journey and pray you find peace and balance and people who are willing to understand why this is important to us. :-)

[kizziAug]

I am a black woman and I am vegan. I think its great your studies with race and veganism. And there is a lot I can identify with and understand, with transitioning to natural even and just the subtleness of racism at times. But I do feel like the entire population of whites etc are not out to get us, a lot of it is a lack of understanding etc. I would say to best way is to live out what we desire for ourselves. I was not sure what your video was about, because the title seemed racist too.

[drroberson4]

That is so heavy...the burden that you are carrying. Dear, your research is showing the truth. Be yourself!! You are an intelligent woman!! Please do not suppress who you are. You can say what you want without being rude. I am not going to make comparisons and say to do it because they do it..but I think you should feel free to be you. I do not care who it is. Be blessed dear!! :)

[sistahvegan]

@drroberson4 Thanks so much for the support.

[asuo2]

It is a big problem when you work in mental health.

[khensuneferhetep]

When you obsess about what "white" people think , they end up occupying the center of consciousness.In other words they got you thinking about them day and night. If you want to be post racial stop thinking about "white" people. They are most likely not thinking about you to the extent that you are thinking about them. Its another form of worshipping them when you bother about what they think or what they understand about you. Dont bother. Do you.

[khensuneferhetep]

There is not a single vegan mammal on the planet. Mighty elephants don't "wash their veggies" before they eat. They eat pounds of bugs, insects. There is not a single vegan culture on the planet (a thriving generation that has spanned more than four generations).

[candiholic18]

He was rude and you could have still put him in his place and say thanks for making you a better and stronger person for it lol...stay positive Sista!

[akalatunde]

also I would say always TRUST YOURSELF...if something feels offensive, it was meant to be offensive, if something hurts, it hurts do not belittel your own feelings for anyone or anything....pay homage to all of those mammys who have gone before by NOT disregarding your own feelings

[akalatunde]

you are so courageous

[Latiqua81]

paranoid



[kittybookitty]

How dare you become a vegan as a black PREGNANT Woman?!?!?!

Kidding.

I think it's awesome. I wish more of 'us' were vegan...

[javajive01]

I experienced something similar at work. Recently, I was told by a superior that I was arrogant and confident, and I became enraged. I carry this rage with me and there's no way to express it at work. I must couch everything so that I don't appear "rude" by their standards. I am expected to defer to their opinion of me etc. I love the term "mammy-ism" it's a perfect description for what I have experienced. Thank you for all you have shared with us. Peace!

[javajive01]

I experienced something similar at work. Recently, I was told by a superior that I was arrogant/confident, and I became enraged. I carry this rage with me and there's no way to express it at work. I must couch everything so that I don't appear "rude" by their standards. I am expected to defer to their opinion of me etc. I love the term "mammy-ism" it's a perfect description for what I have experienced. Thank you for all you have shared with us. Peace!

[Sassymarkrep]

Have you tried "gofundme (dot) com ? Good luck.

[OneSummerSky]

10:25 "If I were in your body"?! Is he serious?! Is that how he conducts his research and writes his academic papers? LOL

11:55 His so-called confidence blindfolds him of the fact that he biased, non-constructive, non-scientific and intellectually lazy. He isn't there to learn, interact and grow. He is there to preach his Single Story. His growth is on hold. Don't spend more energy on him. You have to move on!!

BTW, I've just ordered your book! Greetings from the Netherlands :-)

[MsGamine2]

All the Veganism in the world will not protect your BLESSING from the STRESS of expecting white people to CHANGE. It's been nearly 400 years of being 'humble' to the Mass Kidnappers and now the Children of those Mass Kidnappers that We, Black People have come to look to Survivalist Contortionism as the ONLY OPTION available. But even if it is a Crippled Black Nation, at best? Working in Our Black Nation is the ONLY OPTION that might make it ONE DAY easier for your child to not bow and scrape.

[tHE1iAm38]

@MsGamine2;And I don't know and understand what veganism has to do with racism or how a person can connect veganism and racism.

[Deciblaster]

@MsGamine2 the BLACK NATION that you so avidly describe as being thes people that are suffering in this day and age is absolutely obserd and irrelivent. You are not oppressed, you are not bigotted...to an extent...everyone is bigotted like your doing to white people in your comment.....but anyway....The black population has seperated itself from society wanting special priveleges because you say you have been discriminated against.....you have not...your ancestors might have been...but not you

[MsGamine2]

Sister, your pain is running rampant through you and in your Magnificent State? Mindfully, you must examine the edges of this Sword of Damocles which you actually choose to hold over your own head. It is impossible to put down as long as you are expecting sustenance from those who know they OWN you. I am a Black Womb-man Vegan myself and though it may not be possible for the career path you have in mind? I focus ONLY on the RESCUE of We BLACK PEOPLE & couldn't care LESS what white people say.

[tHE1iAm38]

@MsGamine2;I agree with everything you said.I don't know why these dumb negroes want to be accepted and loved by non-blacks,particularly whites.IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!!

[Vishjali]

As for dealing with other people, I think you may find it beneficial to understand where the person is coming from, why they would say such things, and perhaps why they would have barriers to your ideas etc.

Once you understand where they are coming from you will find it hard to be annoyed or angered by them, regardless of whether they are vegan or privilaged. And if you can try be less attached to wanting to convince the person. It takes a lot of the mindfullness as you mentioned in your video

[sistahvegan]

@Vishjali Thanks. I am getting better with letting go, but I think this particular person has been 'targeting' me and was simply not sure how to respond and how to be emotionally harmonious about it. Since posting this video and getting a lot of emotional support, I am feeling much better about letting go and just seeing that this one particular person who does this to me maybe struggles with true happiness and contentment.

[Vishjali]

I completely agree with you when you say we need to incorporate other types of discrimination into veganism or rather along with veganism, for example, racism, sexism, heterosexism etc. I'm vegan because I believe in the concept of non violence, which I think we should apply to both non human animals and human animals.

[Deciblaster]

@Vishjali so then do not seperate yourself from the rest of us.....God forbid black america try and put themselves in OUR shoes......I did not ever do anything racist, I have never owned a slave, I have n ever denied anyone a right because of their color....yet I get looked down upon and called a racist because I dont bow down and conform to what the black population or the hispanic population wants.....Im a native american and I KNOW what it is like to be oppressed....

[YaNVme]

Sis, you should not have to be stressed out and put in an uncomfortable space. I think you should respond to him respectfully and aggressively. You can put him in his place without stepping out of your character. I know exactly how you feel.

[tamaradenelle]

i am so glad that i came across your work. you are exposing what many would like to but avoid.

[RAWHEBREW]

I am really trippin on how my sistah actually took up the nerve and spoke about this subject, that many of her people have thought about but never really mentioned.

This subject is so true.

[sistahvegan]

@RAWHEBREW I am trying to let go of fear and just trying to speak to truth. It feels liberating to do so and allows me to let people who feel the same, but may be scared to show this publicly, that they are not alone. I will continue writing my dissertation that makes this suffocating normative whiteness and expectations that people of color be 'silent' about the obviousness of racisms, apparent in my manuscript.

[FarenMonique]

Breeze, as you vented I kept screaming, "YES!" I feel you on every front. I'll be graduating in August from an MFA film program at a PWI. And yes the program is really gruesome but without a doubt, the most arduous part of the program has been the incessant need to accommodate in this white space.

[sistahvegan]

@FarenMonique Such an emotionally stressful burden to have to deal with. What type of work were you focusing on in your MFA program? I have a friend who was the only black person in her MFA painting program in Boston and she used art to make whiteness and racism visible and her colleagues were disturbed, disgusted, and her professors just didn't want to hear it. They pretended they didn't get it but I know they did and that is why they tried to dismiss her work. But she prevailed and graduated.

[FarenMonique]

Over these past two years I've allowed my voice as an individual wane by being overly concerned with how it is extrapolated and misinterpreted as a some caricature that I don't want to be compared to.

[FarenMonique]

@FarenMonique And yes, the most frustrating part is that I worry and hold myself to these contraints when my white counterparts are free to express themselves however they please.

[tweezee1976]

So happy to see you r having a baby:) and he/she is moving.. I so miss the last part of pregnancy. They will always try to out talk you out of your dreams, desires, thoughts,etc.So that they can keep control , but there time is up! Please yourSELF and follow your HEART! KEEP WALKING IN LOVE & LIGHT!!!

[saraibewildered]

Hi Breeze! While I must say that I don't know how you should respond to this particular person, just know (I am sure you do) that this type of response should be expected because they are the dominant ways of thinking. Before there is some sort of change, you will HAVE to step on peoples toes. Now, you are doing this with the most love and compassion I have ever seen(if it would were me, I would seriously act the role of earlier Malcolm X) .

[saraibewildered]

@saraibewildered In my eyes, Confrontation is the solution to all problems. White folk, especially those who have been educated through Western Academia, don't like to be told about themselves. Many folk, who have pushed for change went through this same problem. ANYBODY who challenges this so- called "standard" way of thinking will face this. If it means anything, I am glad your going through this (challenge him or others like him after you've had the baby tho)

[saraibewildered]

@saraibewildered you serve as a catalyst for people to stop dreaming and wake up! I don't think you should remove yourself from PWI because you would be letting that particular situation win.

[saraibewildered]

@saraibewildered I knew of the term "mammyism" but I never knew how often that same term was relevant in my life while dealing with my white brethren that had some sort of authority. Does it mean anything when I tell you how much education I have absorbed through you from your Vegan studies and how easily it is applied in MY everyday life? You and your critical thinking studies are helping many of us. believe me, and thank you.

[TheHaitianQueen1]

Hi Breeze- I also watch your vimeos, so I'm aware of what you are referring to. I think it's time to stop responding tot this particular male & anyone else like him. You've put enough out there in there universe so that anyone who was truly sympathetic or in search of understanding would be able to seek the answers they are looking for. Time to worry more about you, your work, your health, and those who have a more positive reaction to your work. Let the negative nancys find their own way! LOL

[NaturallyKhenti11]

As a black, female vegetarian...Im really proud of what you're doing and your one of the few people who has inspired me to become vegan...i think that its not safe for you to worry about everyone else's emotional needs.. and the stress isnt worth the health of your baby or own body. I pray that you overcome this obstacle you're facing right.Peace and Love Sis!

[sistahvegan]

@Ejahi. I'm so confused right now I don't even know what to do! Well, angry and confused. I don't respond to the white male parternalistic vegan that I am referring to in my video. I just stopped responding. But overall, I'm just annoyed by this particular demographic and am just trying to 'let go'... at the same time, I'm getting my PhD at a PWI and need to be careful with how I 'express' myself, just to get through...After I get my PhD I think I'll just leave the Academy for awhile or forever.

[Ejahi]

I basically got rid of them by making them irrelavent to the situation. We took one of those fair and just votes they love so much(democratic process and all) and we decided that only Financial Aid students should make input as to what formal grievance we presented to the administration. Cause these fools wanted us to protest in such a way that would have gotten us all kicked out of school. Crazy! Mommy and Daddy werent fitting our bills.

[Ejahi]

When I was college back in 02 my state decided to make changes to the major financial aid grant that was funding the majority of the campuses minority students education. At that point I was a student avocate and the leader of the BSU. I held an open campus forum to discuss our issues as students and that was my 1st huge run in with what I refer to as the White Left. These were mainly upper middle class white students who were into activist activites for selfish reasons.

[Ejahi]

Is it even necessary that you respond to these people? I mean if it is the academic setting then you should have to come with a logical argument with a logical premise and if your entire premise is based off falacy which you can never say what you would do if you were something that is impossible for you to be "A Black Woman" than you are engaging your energy in a conversation that no one can win or benefit from. Just my opinion.

[lasheavibez]

You look absolutely beautiful. I want to encourage you to keep doing what your doing. I'm not vegan, but you have surely peaked my interested. I have watched all your videos. I totally understand how you feel, my mom always told me it's not what you say its how you say it. You can certainly tell him how you feel. It does anger a person when you have to hold back how you feel in the inside. You are amazing and a true blessing. Stay Encouraged.

[Ncw771]

What you are doing and studying is very important for black women and our culture.