Kreayshawn, Can We Talk About Your “It Sucks to Be White” Quote for a Second?

Oh KREAYSHAWN. You hipster darling. I’ll admit, I think you have real potential as a hip-hop artist, no matter what I think of the message of “Gucci, Gucci,” I think your flow and some of your skill with words is damned impressive.

So, um, I would really like to keep thinking about that, instead of about, well, some of the stuff you say that ends up sounding…how do I put this…a little ridiculous? Like you didn’t really think it over before you said it?

See, there’s this quote from your interview with Women’s Wear Daily:

“When I was younger, growing up in the ‘hood, being the only white girl, like, there’s time when you’re like sh*t, it sucks being white, you know?”

Well, then.

Kreayshawn, you know what often sucks more than being white? Being non-white in a society that still tends towards racist. There’s this thing called white privilege which I think this blogger breaks down pretty well. It’s a lot of stuff that you probably don’t think about, but is out there. Having it doesn’t mean you’re racist or a bad person. But it is something that we should work on recognizing and thinking about more often. It’s little stuff, like:

• I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed.
• I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented.
• I can easily buy posters, post-cards, picture books, greeting cards, dolls, toys and children’s magazines featuring people of my race.
• I can chose blemish cover or bandages in “flesh” color and have them more or less match my skin.

And more.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Kreayshawn is racist. I also don’t think she was purposely trying to be racist in this quote. I just think some of her quotes end up making her sound, well, ignorant to a lot of issues out there. Which isn’t a crime. I wish she’d think a little more about what she says, but I wish most people would think more about what they say in general. And I ABSOLUTELY have nothing against her performing hip-hop music, because as I said above, I think she’s got a lot of talent and potential.

What do you guys think about her statement? Please keep the conversation as polite as possible. Keep in mind: Nobody’s being insulted or called a bad person here.