Black People Does Not Exist

Black People does not exist. Black People is not an organization. Black People has no leader. Black People has no agenda. Black People has no logo. Black People is not looking to increase its membership. Black People has no bank account. Black People has no buildings.

Black People does not hate White People. Black People does not believe in looting. Black People does not encourage lawlessness. Black People does not teach its young members to ignore policemen. Black People does not fear for its life.

Black People does not align itself with views held by Al Sharpton, Eric Holder, Barack Obama, or Bill Cosby. Black People does not have a dress code. Black People does not believe the dream is deferred.

Black People is not responsible for Ferguson. Black People does not support Michael Brown’s family. Black People is not angry at Darren Wilson. Black People is not angry, period. That’s because there is no Black People.

You may wonder where Black People came from if it does not exist. You may be curious and ask, “Did Black People ever exist?” The answer is irrelevant to the universal goal. The goal is to get there. And no, there will never be defined more clearly than as an abstract place that I want to arrive at safely–with you.

The only way to get there is together. It’s the slogan of this blog. It is by no means an original concept. Air Force pilots and flight crews say it in the negative or inverse, well, they say it this way: “You don’t crash in compartments.” It is a stark reminder that aircrews use to eloquently express the concept if you know something is wrong with the flight and choose to let an outside pressure–real or perceived–prevent you from sharing the information and consequently the aircraft crashes, you die too. In this case, the mechanical problem is the widespread belief of a falsehood–that Black People is a real thing.

Crew, Black People does not exist. This has been true for some time, but it is now clear that the safe landing of this flight depends on you believing it. Black People does not exist. There is no Black People. Believe it.

138 comments

  1. Sam

    Nice post, appreciate that you can address something controversial without causing controversy. You could have chose many paths in writing a blog on this topic, you didn’t go safe, you went smart and clever.

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply
    • Pete Deakon

      Hey Scott,

      Thanks for the like. It was the sermon on Sunday that forced me to write this. All the other outlets talk about it, I would’ve thought a sermon would’ve avoided it, or at least done it right, but no. Oh well.

      Pete

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Story Lynne

    Brilliant… And I think we will all finally get there- together- when we can also realize that The White Man doesn’t exist either.
    Unfortunately, I just can’t seem to shake the feeling that Entitled People and Ignorant People DO really exist. And I think they’re measing it up for the rest of us. But that is just my opinion.
    Either way- great post. Thanks for writing it. And thanks for the follow 😊

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply
    • Pete Deakon

      Thank you for saying so. You’re welcome. I hoped it would be clear that White Man etc doesn’t exist either, so thanks for being a sharp reader and making my life easier. Have a good one.

      Pete

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      Reply
  6. moniqueh408

    Reblogged this on heavenlyberry24 and commented:
    This blog made my day because its written with much truth and because some people are brainwashed this conviction may seem like a lie but i agree black people don’t exist and the weight that this sentence made affects us every day no matter what race or gender!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. jaysentrueblood

    to be colorblind. that is the way to live. to not see a color, a creed, a difference of any kind. But to see the similarities and the right in the people. I like your approach. It is sad that hate creates divisions that do not exist otherwise. (by colorblind, I mean to see color, but to look beyond to the person. to refuse to see them as a color, but to see them as a part of the human race. the only race.) If people, in general, reread that which they profess to live by, that which they go and are supposed to be preached from every Sunday (but so many of our spiritual leaders have strayed from reading the truth in favor of their own agendas and political desires), they would find that their boundaries are counter to the truth.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  11. TanGental

    You came for a visit, Pete (thank you), and then I came to this and thought, blimey, so well said. Here in the UK we have a similar problem, not just the black/white dichotomy but now with Immigrants who are clearly as a group responsible for all problems. Thought provoking

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
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  15. jeffkey

    Thanks for checking out my blog. It lead me to yours. Very insightful words, brother, and you state it in a way that is interesting enough to keep my butterfly-chasing brain engaged. Congratulations. Keep up the good work.

    Like

    Reply
    • Pete Deakon

      You’re welcome. And will do. And it seems that a “thank you for your service” is in order. Thank you for your service Jeff.

      Pete

      PS – Can you give me the link to your blog again? (Sorry…Your gravatar doesn’t have it…been to a lot today).

      Like

      Reply
    • Pete Deakon

      No worries. Can you provide a link to your blog? The hyperlink seems broken or maybe you really have a private blog. I’m just having a difficult time getting back to it. 😦

      Pete

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      Reply
    • Pete Deakon

      Nice. Reminds me of one of the elementary school names in the town where I’m from, “Rising Stars Elementary School.” Also sounds like a well-known song lyric, but alas google says “no”. 🙂 Thanks for commenting Adriana.

      Pete

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      Reply
  18. kristenkj

    I enjoyed reading this quite a bit. Loved the comparison with the airplane mechanical problems…so true. I wish it was a simple problem to conquer…seems like it should be…and yet race continues to be an issue.

    Like

    Reply
    • Pete Deakon

      Thank you. So what do you think? I say we ought hope. From what I gathered on your blog (great photography) you’ve got children. They deserve better. I’m ashamed to write that when I was growing up I felt like “we” were over this “issue”. It’s now clear that letting others tell jokes and my own joke telling has to be lumped into the circumstances that led to “us” not being over it. There’s a big life lesson there, I think. My own child will never go reprimanded for harmless fun. We can end this. I have to believe that.

      Pete

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      Reply
      • kristenkj

        I do have children (and thank you for the compliment!), and a good many of their friends look very different than they do. In fact, most of the kids the boys hang with in the neighborhood are of different races. My sister married a black man, who I adore. Their son is black…I also adore him. My brother in law’s sister was a good friend of mine in high school. I Will tell you that from what I have seen where I live, it goes in all directions (the hate). There are all kinds of people that hate all other kinds of people, and I don’t get it. I Will never forget the day that my son came home and had learned about segregation and slavery and all of the awful parts of our history. his best friend at the time was black. We talked about how sad it would be if they were not allowed to be friends because of his friend’s skin color…or his cousin’s…

        How do you fix it? One little child at a time. Love wins…love always wins.

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  26. marnig2014

    Thumbs up from NZ – someone’s already said this but I want to reiterate: White People are nonexistent either – I love how the human race likes to think of itself as so ‘modern’/’advanced’ but we still like to describe people based on one minor visual impression. I am Pakeha which means ‘stranger’ in Maori – my ancestors were Irish/Scottish/British and probably Roman/Celtic etc going further back – I was born in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and this land is in my blood. But I am blonde and blue-eyed and pale skinned (dammit) – so I am continuously denied a right to my birthland. The only race is Human, and humanity can only grow when we accept the legitimacy of all diversity – while at the same time respecting and considering different cultures and beliefs.
    Ironically I’ve been watching a lot of old episodes of the Tyra Show which has given me a completely new insight into American culture and the various racial divides – I’d recommend her shows on Racial Stereotypes and other forms of prejudice as incredibly thought provoking (granted through a talk-show lens) for anyone! And people who keep talking and writing about it – so keep it up bro! Thank you.

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    Reply
    • Pete Deakon

      You’re welcome. I’ve never had anyone recommend the Tyra Show to me. You gettin’ kickbacks? Involved with the show? On the production team? 🙂 Are the episodes really that good? Might just have check one out now. Thank you for sharing.

      Pete

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  27. dougstuber

    Status Quo

    For now the streets are cluttered:
    The poor kill off the poor,
    But this won’t last forever
    If the “Quo” keeps getting worse.

    Guns for sale in neighborhoods
    Where crime is the only living.
    Quarts and vials and bullets
    Take without ever giving.

    “Innocent” bystanders
    Are the ones to blame.
    Standing by in times like these
    Leaves everything the same.

    The quo goes “living standards
    Will be on the decline.”
    While multi-national barons
    Continue their money climb.

    No chums around a fireplace
    When you can’t pay the bills.
    While money-man is traveling
    In search of bigger thrills.

    Sooner rather than later
    The poor will raise their farms.
    Replacing all the suited men
    Without a need to harm.

    The system as we know it
    Is fading thanks to this:
    The greedy haven’t realized
    Their life ain’t worth a piss.

    The ticking clock inside the bomb
    Has passed the witching hour.
    There is little hope for most,
    So when will freedom flower?

    It will when people with the time
    Turn to lend a hand.
    It will when greedy governors
    Give back a hunk of land.

    The quo has made it possible
    For us to live like rats.
    To them your life means nothing,
    You could end up a stat.

    As the status quo gets worse,
    Violence rules the day.
    We better help each other now.
    Let us pray.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  30. gpj103

    Great post! Really brings home the way the media like to group everyone and label everyone and everything to make their crappy attempts at journalism sell. As a member of UK White People, I have met some good Black People and some bad Black People…but far more bad White People over the years!

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  32. Ellar Wise

    Hello Pete. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Then I read this! White people, black people, is just intellectual laziness that becomes a tool to populism. Jean-Paul Sartre stated that ‘hell is the other’ so generalization is indeed an easy way for anyone to find its own little hell to blame for one’s own sorryness and it’s much easier than to think about it for a minute. In China, they’re all (95%) han; yet, among themselves they have their own ‘black people’. So yes, there are no black people. great post!

    Like

    Reply
  39. UniquelyHis67

    That’s true. Neither do white people exist and we need to stop labeling people as such. Put a black sheet of paper next to an African/ American or any African, the colors don’t match. I’m Caucasian not white. If I was white, I’d look like a ghost, wouldn’t I? Good point.

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  40. andih94

    Wow. Hit the nail on the head. Excellent, excellent stuff. I’ve watched this stuff play out in UK, South Africa and now Australia. Couldn’t say it better myself. We are people. Only one race, the human race. Thanks so much for visiting my blog by the way. Once I’ve figured out how I’ll be reposting this

    Like

    Reply
    • Pete Deakon

      Thank you. Man. That’s kinda depressing to hear it is still so prevalent. I get pretty focused in on the US sometimes, but others have pointed out we’re not alone in this mess. (When you’re logged in to your account and can see the black tool bar thing at the top of the blog/page you’re on, there should be a reblog button. That’ll do it.)

      Pete

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  41. shatara46

    Do you really want another comment to say what a great post? Well, here it is. And I like your blog’s title, as a once Star Trek fan – Captain’s Log. Perfect. shatara46.wordpress.com

    Like

    Reply
    • Pete Deakon

      Of course I want to hear more about how great I am. I’m human, aren’t I? Thank you. That Judy story is something else as well. It captures a passion like it’s gospel truth, but something tells me it’s fiction. I enjoy the uncertainty, so don’t ruin it. 🙂 Oh, and I think it’s hilarious that besides the fact that I was a Captain in the Air Force, the reason I picked this title is because of the strong memory of Ace Ventura talking to his Captain’s Log in the dolphin tank. I can’t say I’ve ever watched an episode of Star Trek, though the new movies are fantastic. Have a good one.

      Pete

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      Reply
  42. Lori

    So much to like about this post–I enjoyed both the writing and the content. The “don’t crash in compartments” is a concept that I can see being really valuable for me. And thanks for the like at lorinotes.wordpress.com.

    Like

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  43. mariewilliams53

    To deny that “Black people” exist would be wrong. Black people very much exist. I do understand what you are trying to say, but as a black person, I feel a bit uncomfortable with this. I don’t like to be referred to as a black person because I don’t see myself as a colour. I am a person with a particular skin tone which I was born with. But I am so much more than my skin tone. But I am still that skin tone and I am not going to deny that. There is a place for me in this world. I want to be seen as different and not the same because I am different. But I don’t want to be mocked for it or disrespected or air-brushed for it. We have to acknowledge our differences in order to move forward. The issue isn’t whether Black, White, Yellow, or Red people exist. We are all different colours, cultures, creeds, religions etc etc. What I think we need to do is to acknowledge that we are all different and that we all deserve respect. The term black people is empowering for some people, because of our history and where we come from. For so long black people have been denied power, respect and acceptance because of the colour of their skin. So to deny the struggle of those people who have been ill-treated, denied rights, tortured and killed is so wrong. Black people have had to fight for rights and that has to be accepted and acknowledged. For too long being black has been seen as inferior, so when black people move from a place of inferiority to a place of equality, it cannot be denied that they (I) want to see the colour black as empowering and proud of who they are and what they stand for.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Pete Deakon

      Hey Marie,

      From what you wrote it sounds to me like, despite your claim, you might not be fully clear on this post’s admittedly abstract concept. :/ No big thing. I’d suggest reading some of the comments for clarity, if you care.

      Marie–you most certainly exist and should be proud of every ounce of your being, most especially your willingness to contribute to the conversation. But, as for me, I can’t stand what I see on the news. So I wrote this post in response. I’d be curious to read your response to current events. Have you seen V for Vendetta (movie quotes are a weakness of mine, forgive me)? The main dude says, “There is a face beneath this mask, but it isn’t me. I’m no more that face than I am the muscles beneath it, or the bones beneath that.” I couldn’t agree more. Sounds like you do to. In any case, keep writing. Never stop.

      Pete

      PS – Nowhere did I write black people don’t exist. I wrote Black People does not exist. How am I doing? Any clearer?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • mariewilliams53

        Hey Pete – I do understand what you are trying to say and why you wrote the post in response to what is going on in the news. I too am fed up with how the media portrays black people with their preconceptions and prejudices. Forgive me for not getting the subtlety between “does not exist” and “don’t exist”, but I think they mean pretty much the same thing really. I was not criticising what you wrote, I just wanted to put my view across as well. It’s always good to see how the message you put across is perceived by others, because the written word is open to interpretation. Something you and others might think is quite clear what the message is can be interpreted differently by another person.

        ps. You are doing very well. You were clear in the first place, but this further explanation gives it the human touch. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  46. bjsscribbles

    We have the same here in Australia, most Governments and people here have blind eyes and don’t discuss the issues. You are very brave to bring it up. I did a post earlier on living without racism. Great work and thank for finding and following my blog I will follow in return

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Pete Deakon

      I think you’re the second Australian to comment, I know there was a NZ commenter. Anyhow, thanks for the compliments and feel free to link your post here too. This needs to end and end soon. 🙂

      Pete

      Like

      Reply
  48. harmonioustew

    It’s funny how the use of a label can lead someone to oversimplify, generalize, and deny the infinite complexity of a world made up of seven-odd billion individuals. Thanks for reminding your readers about this, and for liking my blog piece!

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  53. Linda Wallenius

    Thank you Pete for dropping by my blog and giving it a like. I liked this piece although I don’t think I could have come up with it! Thought provoking. And also I’d like to thank you for serving our country! Only God knows where we’re all going to end up but I’m very thankful for Him being here with us and those of you who thought it a worthwhile venture to work at defending our freedoms. Blessings…

    Like

    Reply
    • Pete Deakon

      You’re welcome. I’m glad to hear you don’t think you could’ve come up with it, because I’m terribly competitive. 🙂 Thanks for the well-wishes. Have a good one.

      Pete

      Like

      Reply
  54. Hilda

    Thanks for visiting my blog and leading me here. This post reminds me of an essay I wrote in the 60s arguing that race is an artificial concept. It is sad that this point has yet to be understood by many, but admire the way you made it – beautiful, straightforward writing.

    Like

    Reply
  57. renofailure

    Thanks for the like on my post. Without it, I may have never come across this eloquent post on such a charged topic. Always great to find something worth reading.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
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