by Fawn Walker-Montgomery
In this piece, I will discuss how Black people have embraced White ideals of excellence and perfectionism.
Although hashtags such as Black excellence and Black girl magic highlight Black accomplishments and representation, it’s crucial to acknowledge how this perpetuates White supremacy culture. Moreover, the pressure to adhere to White standards of achievement can detrimentally impact the mental and physical health of Black people. I will be sharing my personal experience of falling into this trap and discussing ways this can show up locally.
Throughout my upbringing, I was taught to attend college, set goals, and to be better than the “White people’’ as well as outperform them to succeed. As a result, I obtained a master’s degree and was elected as one of the youngest council members in my community before the age of 30. I subsequently became a trailblazer in many respects. While this may seem like a commendable accomplishment, it ultimately led to feelings of anxiety, burnout, and health issues.
Regardless of my achievements, it felt as though my efforts were never deemed adequate, while mediocre efforts by White counterparts were often praised. I came to understand that the definition of success was tied to conforming to a set standard that aligned with “Whiteness.” This meant that Black people must adhere to a specific set of rules that often catered to “respectability politics” aimed at keeping White people comfortable. I frequently received advice that I needed to learn how to “play the game.” I instinctively resisted, recognizing that no amount of strategic maneuvering or achievements could shield me from the realities of racism. Locally, I have witnessed how this can lead to stress and burnout within the Black community.
This shows up with how Black people support one another, the role of the Black elite, and implicit bias. Specifically, with the notion that Black people have to be “polished” to have success in their careers and other spaces. I have observed instances where Black people withhold support from others whom they perceive as not polished enough to interact with White individuals. Such behavior perpetuates the harmful narrative of needing to avoid “scaring the White people.”
This mentality has also hindered deserving individuals from being acknowledged through local awards. Speaking from personal experience, I have received some of these awards (accepting some and declining others), and while I do not take issue with the concept itself, I question the criteria and process for their distribution. This trend mirrors the concept of the “talented tenth” introduced by W.E.B. Du Bois, which promotes the notion that exceptional Black individuals will save the community; an inherently elitist notion, as it elevates the Black elite above the rest of the community, disregarding the systemic effects of racism that impede collective progress. Many individuals in our community are still struggling to attain basic necessities such as clean air, water, and adequate health care. A radical response to this will require transformative self-reflection that questions the systems we have benefited from.
It is important to understand that the concept of “rest is resistance” goes beyond a hashtag. We need to reflect on how our ideas of productivity and excellence are connected to the concept of “Whiteness.” This is essential in challenging systems of White supremacy and capitalism. I will explore further the concept of unlearning and self-reflection in my upcoming column in the New Pittsburgh Courier. I urge everyone to participate in discussions and self-reflection on how these dynamics impact our personal lives.
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