@phillis Although it’s a nice sentiment, it encourages the perpetuation of the status quo, which systematically reinforces the existent inequality between racial conditions. Plus, most of the people who say that (in my experience) believe they mean it, but act in a way that’s inconsistent with their beliefs.
@La_Guerrera_Mas_Funki I think it’s bad ethography for the observer to get defensive or explain herself. Isn’t the whole point that the ethnographer observes? Even asking a question amongst the population of interest, according to some researchers, is taboo, much less trying to force them into the researcher’s interpretation of it.
I’m sorry you felt I was being condescending. I do think, though, that there’s a difference between being patronized based on your race and being patronized based on inaccurate questions, and perhaps you should check your baggage in this conversation—especially if you’re going to start it. Although, for the record, I wasn’t trying to be patronizing, so much as critique the interpretability of the question from within the framework I operate. Again, I apologize if you felt offended.
(Although the irony is delicious, I am nonetheless sincere.)