
Source: Christian Science Monitor / Getty
I’m always astounded by what little White people know about us. Then again, I really shouldn’t be. We have to know about White folks and their ways for assimilation (sadly), advancement, for protection and survival. On the flip side, far too many White people have made a habit of learning about us with the intent to exploit our traditions and culture. With that in mind, one could argue that perhaps there are some things about us they shouldn’t know.
This discussion presented itself yesterday when a young, White reporter for the Washington Post, Chelsea Janes, was covering Senator Kamala Harris’ book event at George Washington University. Janes was live-tweeting the event and shared what can only be described as some ignorant observations about the crowd’s response to Harris, a Howard alum and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated (AKA).
Janes wrote:
“Kamala Harris listed Thurgood Marshall as one of those lawyers she admires, a fellow Howard alum. Someone shouted, “Me too!”
Someone corrected Janes letting her know that the person likely shouted, “HU” for Howard University.
But she didn’t stop there. In a since-deleted tweet she also shared this loaded observation:
“Members of her Howard sorority are in the room, and screeched when she mentioned her time there. Did not expect to hear screeches here.”
.@chelsea_janes reporting on @KamalaHarris a Howard Alumn and AKA .. and she describes what she hears from Kamala’s soros as “screeching”… while adding “I didn’t expect to hear that here” 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️ This is why diversity is important. How could she not bother to know! @sdotbain pic.twitter.com/ANaMnVjyez
— ((Virtual Gina)) (@virtualgina) January 10, 2019
Aiii.
There are a couple of mistakes here. AKAs are a national sorority, with chapters located internationally as well. And those “screeches,” which is arguably a word with a negative connotation, is known as the “skee wee” sound. The fact that Janes notes that she did not expect to hear screeches here suggests that she found them undignified or inappropriate based on their location.
I get it, if you’re not Black, there’s a strong chance that you don’t know anything about Black Greek life. Hell, I know more than a few Black people who don’t know anything about Black Greek life. And that’s fine.
The problem here is Janes interpretation of what she witnessed and the ease with which she dismissed it as inappropriate. Even if she went into the room to cover Harris not knowing the ins and outs of AKAs, a quick Google search could have saved her this embarrassing but teachable moment.
She apologized for her faux pas.
Guys, I’m so sorry. Had never heard about the Skee Wee call before, but I certainly have now. Meant only to convey enthusiasm in the room! https://t.co/bHI0eBPegP
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) January 10, 2019
Legit thanks to all who pointed out my ignorance. Big whiff. I know better now, and am sorry I didn’t before!
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) January 10, 2019
Anyway, my main point was that Howard loved Harris and showed it tonight. My apologies to the AKAs.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) January 10, 2019
Deleting the tweet, which didn’t convey what I hoped. I know it’s no one’s job to educate me, and take that seriously. But glad I’m learning
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) January 10, 2019
But y’all know how it goes, apologies only go so far as people are more interested in the dragging. And Janes’ tone, which could be interpreted as a bit too cavalier, certainly got her fair share. See what people had to say on the following pages.
Was it “HU! you know!” ? Cause your hot takes have been trash all evening. You are gonna need a whole lesson after this. God speed.
— Queen Jasnah Kholin (@mlyngrant) January 10, 2019
“Guys.” “anyway.” Your tone is wildly dismissive and it’s not just a slight to AKAs, it’s an indication that you didn’t care to convey the tone in the room properly or ask someone for more context about something you didn’t understand. You didn’t think we were worth the trouble.
— Karl Lagerfeld’s Side Teeth (@TheRareKind) January 10, 2019
Schooled by your friends? I'm ignorant about sororities and fraternities, but one google of Kamala Harris and a gazillion articles come up, the first several which mention her sorority AKA. I googled AKA and got the answer in 2 seconds. And I'm not writing for WaPo.
— Kat Ward (@katwardphoto) January 10, 2019
I still can’t believe the Washington post assigned a reporter to cover Kamala who doesn’t know what AKAs are. Diversity in media isn’t just a suggestion it’s a requirement so you don’t look like a clueless person who has zero Black friends.
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) January 10, 2019
I spent years and years as a freelancer who couldn’t get a full time writing gig but a white person who doesn’t do basic research about a presidential candidate gets a plum assignment with a front row to history and she ain’t even look at Kamala’s Wikipedia. That’s not okay.
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) January 10, 2019
I'd never heard a skee wee so I looked it up on YouTube because I thought I could make the same mistake she did. But it's such a specific and purposeful sound, I can't imagine mistaking it for a screech even not knowing what it was.
— Jennie (@angrybooklady) January 10, 2019
Yep. Google is our friend. The racism isn’t necessarily in not knowing in the first place, but in assuming it’s something stupid and nonsensical instead of, “hmm… there’s something here that I obviously don’t understand; let me do some research.”
— Hazel Wheaton (@hlwheaton) January 10, 2019
off them. And we're supposed to accept it. Not me, not this time.
— MONICA (@KstandsforKAY) January 10, 2019
A room full of accomplished/professional women all do something in unison and you don’t think to say there is something more to this story….
— Bleek Gillium (@digital_crates) January 10, 2019
2/2 We however rarely get to use the ignorance card. We are expected to understand White institutions and cultural cues and are often severely punished or hindered when we don’t. So that’s why the casual “Guys” “I just meant”…apology is not going down well.
— Danica R. Starks (@DanicaRachele) January 10, 2019
And even if she didn't know, her comment "i didn't expect screeching" is just another way of saying "Black people are too loud" If white women cheered a white woman politician would she notice or care?
— ChrisB (@Chriswb71) January 10, 2019