Humane Educator's Toolbox: "Sh*t White Girls Say...to Black Girls"

Conversations about race are often difficult and uncomfortable, but if we want a just, compassionate world for all, they need to happen frequently -- including in schools. In the spirit of the "Sh*t People Say" meme that has become popular in pop culture, and in specific response to the recent "Sh*t Girls Say" parody, graphic designer and comedienne, Franchesca Ramsey, created the hit parody video "Sh*t White Girls Say...to Black Girls." Ramsey's video offers a critical examination of race, using humor and a blonde wig to highlight stereotypical offensive statements (e.g., "Not to sound racist but..." or "That's so ghetto!" or "He's cute for a black guy.") and situations (like touching black women's hair and making comments about it).

As Ramsey said in a recent Huffington Post essay:

"Over the years I've found that dealing with white people faux pas can be tricky. If I get upset, I could quickly be labeled the 'angry black girl.' But if I don't say anything or react too passively, I risk giving friends and acquaintances permission to continue crossing the line. So I decided to create my own parody, 'Sh*t White Girls Say...to Black Girls,' to make all people laugh while, hopefully, opening some eyes and encouraging some of my white friends and acquaintances to think twice before they treat their black friends and associates like petting zoo animals or expect us to be spokespeople for the entire race."

Watch the video here:




Ramsey's video not only offers a terrific opportunity to talk with older students about issues of race (e.g., personal relationships, institutional racism, depictions of race in media and pop culture), but it also helps shed light on assumptions we make, how we see ourselves (and others), and what we may deem acceptable without having considered it critically. Ramsey's video could also be paired with one or more videos that actually perpetuate stereotypes against others for a more in-depth examination.

 ~ Marsha

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