Tucker Bryant - Oreo
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
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Tucker Bryant, performing at CUPSI 2014 in Boulder, CO.
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* Claps Violently *
* Hands explode *
Parks DW Haha, loudest laugh i've had in weeks, thans DW.
The sad thing is that after watching this, I thought to myself "I'd share this video but I don't want to make my friends that called me 'oreo' feel bad."
Screw that.
People should be corrected, no matter their intentions. People should learn the difference between joking around and insulting an entire culture. I WILL share this video because I want them to learn from their ignorance.
Mel Intent is sometimes different from impact and it's important to know the difference. Intent isn't excuse.
Share it anyway.
Mel They should feel bad. Don't worry about offending those who offended you.
+Mel Sadly enough I shared this to show that I'm learning from my own ignorance.
jordan blakeley Here's why Jordan. It's another way of society telling you what you're supposed to be in their eyes and how certain people see you. I've grown up around people who speak the way I do, and my parents made my education a priority. I can't help the way I speak it's just how I've been brought up. Yet people, black, white, and mexican, have given me shit for it just because I speak well for a black male. That and cause of certain interests I have. Like me being really into superheroes and movies and other things like that. People always bring up stereotypes and things of that nature and pretty much expect everybody of that group to be that way. Someone sayin I talk like I'm white makes me think that they're telling how I should speak. That they know what I should be to them and that if I'm any different from the supposed majority I'm somehow an abnormality or I'm somehow not black. These people will say things like this with little to no knowledge of the actual struggles that you go through. Them saying something like this is them telling me what I should be just because that is what I'm believed to be. It's like they are saying that something is wrong with us. It's seriously people expecting me to stupid, lazy, and violent who's going to be someone that does not contribute to society. It's like all these people are constantly telling you that you're less than what you are. That's why saying something like "you act like you're white," is an insult.
"What makes you think the best we can be is a reflection of you?" Well said Mr. Bryant.
I literally just stood up in my empty room and applauded. Every word of this is perfect
I did too!!! My daughter was asleep next me, I scared the crap out of her. Sorry Kalyn :)
Hey!!! Unrelated but another Demetri
so true
Anyone else like the cookie part of the Oreo better than the cream?
ye$$
this sounds hella cliche but I like them together
I do
Yaaaaaas
Chengyboy 99 me I literally can't just eat the cram it tastes like shit tbh the cookies the best part on an oreo
This explains all the words I never say. As an African-American child just beginning, middle school, 6th grade is a struggle. I've only ever always grown up in the suburbs, but everyone assumes that because I have dark skin, or get my hair braided that it makes me a lesser human beings. I am not an "Oreo" for getting straights A's. I am not an "oreo" for liking rock music instead of rap and hiphop. I am not an "oreo" because I play a ukulele instead of drums. I am not an "oreo" because I like volleyball. I am not an "oreo" because I have good spelling and proper grammar. I am not an "oreo" because instead of over using social media, I have a dictionary app on my phone. Little do you know, the use of the word "oreo" means a lot. It means that I am an utter object that can be easily broken and turned into something society wants me to be. I will not and cannot lower my personal standards to make people of the "right" skin color feel better about themselves. I will not and cannot be categorized material wise, because I know my self worth.
It's heartbreaking to relate this much actually. I always preferred music that "wasn't black" and I read books and got good grades so I "wanted to be white" but all I ever wanted was to just be myself which is what everyone always preaches, but you still get put down if your not the right yourself in my case, black. It was hard at first, but now I'm in high school and I've realized how irrelevant the people that say these things are and I retort with music and activities not given races but we as humans should be able to do/ listen to what makes us happy.
I love you both and need more people like you in my life.
one time in spanish class we had to write a speech about ourselves an i had said that rock was my favorite music. A African american girl in my class later came up to me and asked something along the lines of "you don't like rap or hiphop." and i said no. She said something like "black people don't do rock." i'm standing there stunned and say, "HELLO, JIMMI HENDRIX!!!"
I completely agree with you. When i was in Elementary, Middle school, and High school i was called an "oreo" countless of times. Because i didn't dress the way society thought i should dress, or loved rock music more than rap, or because i loved anime. It's quite ridiculous how the people in our society think it's acceptable to base your interests on your skin color.
To quote the inimitable Maya Angelou, "My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and more intelligent than college professors."
'Blackness' =/= lesser, in any sense, in any but the most arbitrary of cultural determinations of value.
"what makes you think the best we could be is a reflection of you?"
This is an anthem to everyone who's ever been called an Oreo, because excuse ALL our french
"Thank you for proving that you don't have to call me your dog to make me feel like you own me"
*violently snaps fingers throughout this poem*
I'm speechless, because I know exactly how this feels. Ever since 7th grade, my friends have called me an Oreo. In college, no one really cares much, so it's not a thing, but in middle and high school, that was my label, and this poem gets to me because I LET it define me. I wore it like a medal and I didn't see it as offensive at all.
I really want to thank the poet for giving me another perspective. There are some things I really shouldn't have accepted from people when I was younger. I see that now.
couldnt have said it better! This is exactly how i feel
I definitely understand wearing "it like a medal." I did the same thing in middle and high school and while I chastise my younger self for doing so, I remind myself that I didn't know all that I know now. You have to remind yourself that same thing. Now you know and NOW you can put an end to it when someone calls you an oreo as a "compliment." Now is all that matters!
Agree to the fullest! I took it as a compliment when someone called me an oreo or said I was white or acted white. And when I began to grow uncomfortable with the term I had to just laugh it off rather than put them in their place. But next time someone says to me, "You're an oreo," I'm going to say back, "NO, I'm me," Love this poem so much. And I'm glad I'm not the only one.
YAAAAAS! I have the exact same THING!
I sit here stunned and speechless by words that I need to share with friends, and friends of friends, and friends of their friends...
I go to a predominantly white private school. I am not an Oreo for having a 4.0 GPA. I am not an Oreo because I like punk pop. I am not an Oreo because I play violin and piano. I am not an Oreo because I straighten my naturally curly hair. I am not an Oreo. I am a black female. I am not some toy. I do not "talk like a white girl". I talk like myself. I am me. Race does not define me. And neither does having mostly white friends.
Keke loves UA-cam Yes! Yes! Yes!
I think as well, people don't realise that growing up in predominantly white areas, you have to assimilate in order to survive socially
Assimilation only applies in this matter if the reason you're "interested" in these things is because you want to relate to specifically white people. I grew up/live in a predominately black area and I still love rock/punk/alternative music, I still talk like I've actually had an English/Language Arts class, I still have a 4.0 GPA... It's not about assimilation.
!!!!! this comment
Not only are the words to this poem chilling, but his delivery was so spot on. Absolutely amazing!! So much respect!
This man is speaking to my soul
I can't even express how much satisfaction this poem gives to me..I remember when a very special friend of mine told me I was not like the rest because I am 'like a white girl'. I remember how proudly I wore his compliment. A few months later, I thought to myself, hang on a minute. How is this a compliment? Why should I be proud of being called white? What is being black?
I've experienced the same exact thing.And I think it's gotten worse since I moved from the DC area to Arkansas. It's ridiculous how any educated black person 'acts white.'
Where was this when I was growing up? If I knew what I know now i'd never apologize for my (beautiful) blackness ✊
This touched me on another level
I live in a black neighborhood but have always gone to predominantly white/asian/south asian magnet schools. For the most part, I hang out with no one in my actual neighborhood (they all consider me "too white" to hang out with) so 90% of my friends have always been white or asian.
I never really took being called an oreo seriously in middle school because at my middle school it was common to make a lighthearted race joke now and again (about every race, not just me). It did however cause me to have a humungous identity crisis.
I always wanted to be proud of being black, but it always seemed like all the good parts of my nature...the parts that intimidated the people around me the least were the parts that were considered "the whitest" and that all the qualities that people name as being innately "black" were bad or frightening (vulgarity, crime, promiscuity, etc.) And then one day I came to realize this.
I am who I am AS AN INDIVIDUAL.
The color of my skin is not a label to indicate a prepackaged "type" of person underneath. There is no "correct" way to be black or white or latin or gay just as there is no correct way be green eyed or red haired or 16 or human. As long as I proudly remember who I am, and who my ancestors were, and who my people are, and what they did for me, I will always be me and I will always be black. Fuck labels.
I really respect this guy and what he's saying.
Yolis Bortin Just wow 👏👏👏👏
He has a great voice for performances like this.
"Because you love the caffeine but can't stand how bitterly the blackness binds to your tongue. Well, forgive me for refusing to sugarcoat my skin whenever you need a pick-me-up." Wow
yeah no kidding....
yeah no kidding....
God, I relate to this so much. My friends call me an oreo all the time and I used to just laugh it off but now it's just annoying
This was deep. Applause that was powerful!
"What makes you think that the best we can be is a reflection of you."
OH DAMN.
This is too perfect. You're expressing the thoughts of "oreos" across the country. Thank you for this!
This is so damn important.
This basically explains my whole secondary school life.. actually it still explains my life now, in a nut shell; thanks for bringing awareness on this subject. :) I never took it positively, but I'm always expected to just laugh it off lol
Completely agree. We are expected to laugh this off and people say "why are you taking it so seriously" when you get mad about it.
yea, it was also so annoying tbh loll
Speaking as a black kid from the suburbs this is the best thing ever
you should consider rethinking your account name, you are more than that
lol I know. I was in middle school when I made it and thought it was funny. Now i'm kind of stuck with it. Thanks for the kind words though :)
I am Mexican, but can relate to this so much. Many times have I been told I "act white", but really what does that mean? I may be well educated, I may listen to country music, I may dress in a certain manner, I may speak and enunciate my words a certain way, but that does NOT make me white. That simply means I am a well educated woman, but it does not make me any less Mexican. Believe it or not, I speak Spanish, I listen to corridos, nortenas, latin pop, etc. If these people saying that about me knew these things, would they still call me white? At one point in my life, back in middle school and high school, I took this as a compliment. Now though, now I realize what an insult it is to myself, as well as the rest of my fellow Hispanics. I am very proud of my heritage and culture. I am Mexican-American, NOT white or "whitewashed" thank you.
what is wrong with being white ? yall are talking like its a horrible disease....racist much ???
I actually come from one black parent and one white parent so everyone tended to call me Oreo back in middle school. It never bothered me at first but then I started to realize that when they called me that, it wasn't a nickname because they spat it towards me like I was some disgusting creature. I never could and still can't understand what it is about being even part black that is horrifying to a lot of white people because it's not like I can just bleach my skin like they do their clothes when they have a stain. I will forever have to live with my "stained" skin and the discrimination that comes with it and I find that so unfair.
Kai Roberts Sorry it bothers you. Be proud of yourself, stand tall and remember their is none like you.
yer right, but NOT ALL eurams are racists...
I couldn't add this to my favorites quicker
woahhh. this is amazing.
This is my life, I'll be quick to play this for the next person who says im not really black. Some black people take this word as a compliment, i used to because I struggled with my identity in a mostly white community, but how can you be truely happy with yourself if you cant accept what you are. It's like the only way to be black and smart is to not really be black. Intelligence has no correlation to skin tone and "acting" white doesn't make you smarter and being smart and acting white are two different things, you don't have to give up your color to be smart but you give up you color, your intelligence, and your inner peace pretending to be something your not.
Well said!
why dont yoou just drop the " i cant be black" and just be your self. I dont struggle with,Oh the only way I can be american indian is to scalp people, Im just me. Not separated by my different races
Jon Bryant you missed the point of this comment and slam poem altogether
no, i didnt . Im talking about what is driving this machine.
Jon Bryant yes, you completely did. This is not a struggle with self identification. This is a struggle with how the rest of the world views us, which, whether you realize it or not, has a huge impact on our lives. You say "just be yourself", like that's not the one and only goal - to be viewed as and individual. Obviously the oc knows who she is and loves herself, but the rest of society, or more specifically, White America, sees her race first and constructs an identity for her based around their narrow idea of what being Black entails, and expects her to adhere to it, lest she not actually be that. And this is something pretty much every minority experiences, as White people are pretty much the only ones who are consistently seen as individuals, with their race being an unimportant factor. It's not how we see ourselves, it's how society sees us. As a Native American, I would think you could identify with that.
I don't think I've related to any poem more. As some one who is called an "Oreo" daily, I'm glad there is someone who can perfectly explain why I hate it.
THIS THIS THIS. this poem speaks to me in every way. i dont even have words. every time i say something around anyone, no matter their race i feel uncomfortable in my own skin. im always 'the white black girl.' to them. i hate it. im not an oreo. im an educated black female.
- yes i listen to rock music. yes I occasionally go to starbucks bc i like drinking fucking coffee. yes i have a 3.7 GPA, and no i do not 'talk like a white person.' i talk like Zion. because i am Zion and i refuse to be called anything but.
+Zion Daniels AMEN SISTER!
THIS PART !
I #SALUTE this young man for being a voice. And more importantly, a voice that is heard. Powerful Words...
i felt this so hard. when he said “what makes you think the best we could be was a reflection of you?” i was SHAKING
holy shit can i watch this for the first time over and over again?
what makes you think the best we can be is a reflection of you.so powerful the words the message. amazing poetry. i cant express how strongly the words resonated with me.
I'm pretty sure "oreo" is often used to describe a black person(including bi-racial blacks as well) who "acts" white and not black. The poem isn't about racial mixture, it's about racist people and their stereotyped perceptions of what a black person should be/is.
To the people saying that he's overreacting or being melodramatic, you're pathetic. How dare you tell someone that has the courage to speak so passionately about something that's bothering them that they're overreacting? How dare you call him melodramatic for speaking out about his experience with oppression? You must not understand spoken word poetry, because this poem is exactly what it's all about.
And by the way, brushing off what he's speaking about as unimportant and melodramatic is a result of having the white privilege he's referring to. So, congratulations, you're a part of the problem.
I can listen to this once a week and I still get chills because I really feel this. It goes down to my bones. I LOVE it!
I've been called an Oreo for so many years...I love this poem, it speaks to me.
This poem describes exactly how I feel every time someone calls me 'oreo' or derogatory term / phrase that implies the same thing. I've been victim to this throughout my life, and I still hear it at times. It gets easier to manage or react to, but I wish people wouldn't resort to saying such things that can and do hurt, especially just to get a laugh, even if it was intended as a harmless joke. This poem by Tucker Bryant is amazing to say the very least. Speaks major volume. Kudos to TB. Inspired.
Beautiful...I loved the metaphor of putting cream in coffee.
Oh my god the metaphors!!! Such good imagery. This guy is a genius of words.
"And they will NEVER fill us!" Very empowering!!!!
Staring at his mouth the whole time. He's so passionate.
I feel this. So much. It made me sad, made me tear up. It doesn't seem like a big deal at first to people, but it is so important. You have expressed all that I could want to express to my friends, and even my family.
I have total respect for that guy. What a great person.And,I love poetry as well.I'm only 14 but,I got big dreams.And,people like that guy inspire me to become amazing.
The last line was a double meaning!"They will never fill us (Feel Us)"
i got goose pumps and i'm completely speechless at the amazement of this poem :)
Can relate very easily to this poem.
Wow..Powerful.
i cried. i can't not say it. i cried. these words ring true. people called me oreo at my old school as it was predominantly hispanic kids, and we had about 10 black people in my grade alone. other black people call me oreo and tell me i've been whitewashed like it's a joke.
i am who i am, and that has nothing to do with you. all my life i've felt like i was supposed to feel bad for who i was and for my skin color.
yeah, i have a 4.0 and i'm not an "oreo." i was taught discipline and i was taught how to work hard for what i have because my father did and he was never able to experience the same things i do today, he was never given the opportunities that i get.
i listen to britney spears and taylor swift. am i an oreo yet? no, i'm me. and you are you. it's not funny and it's not a joke. so get out of my face about it.
I really appreciate this as I've always found myself in the same boat. No one's ever called me an "Oreo", but the implications have been around me for a while. What I want to make a special point about is that we need to EDUCATE. Too many times I see people get offended, smile and nod, and then run off and preach to the choir. I don't blame folks if they say something offensive, I find it to be a time to point it out and prevent it from happening again. If no one tells them it's offensive, why would they stop?
This hits home hard and is even came from my own family for a while. They gave me the nickname oreo when I was younger because it was my favorite treat and I would often ask for them at random times. But I had to stop being called it because my 'black' cousins would use it to torment me. Saying that I'm not actually black, I don't 'act' black, or 'talk' black. This actually became even worse when going off to small college and I actually was called an oreo from a guy in my hall because I didn't 2 chains or Trinidad James. You know things black folks like... Its sad really.
I know the feeling sister. Anybody who's different in anyway is treated like crap. Don't ever feel sorry for yourself because they don't like the idea of you acting a certain way because of your education.
Wish I could like this video a thousand times. This video basically explains my entire life so far. Pretty much how it fees for me growing up and living life now.
complete and utter GENIUS.
YES this poem perfectly illustrates some of my (and so many other People Of Colour) life experiences
Oh my word this is incredible! Button Poetry never fails me.
Wowww....im speechless.
"You don't have to call me your dog without feeling like you own me." 0.0 Speechless
This poem means everything to me.
Fuck, this man is perfect. I can't believe how beautiful and powerful he sounded right now.
*major respect*
I posted this on my facebook to express how I liked and related to it and my friend told me I shouldn't have because it didn't apply to me, because I wasn't biracial. I had to tell her that it didn't matter. This slam was about how blacks (I am a black young woman) are degraded and rejected and its falsely sugar coated with words like, 'You're so white," " you act white," and, "you're white on the inside." I speak intelligently and don't take action in illegal things, therefore I am white, Huh? It's shameful and ridiculous. Also, this ideal can go for any other non-Caucasian person who has ever been told or felt like that.
i'm mixed race and reallyight skinned, people always tell me that my skin color is "goals" and that ishoukd be happy that i'm not as dark as the black kids. Then they wonder why I get offended and defensive. I don't care if i'm "half black" or "not black enough" when you make rude comments about people who's skin is darker than yours for no other reason than that, believe me, I wi defend them until you know it. I know that as a mixed race/light skinned that i am deemed more desirable than a dar skinned girl and that makes me sick. we are all beautiful, different shades and shapes. Black Beauty
I love this so much. It explains how I feel perfectly.
I love the cookie part of the Oreo. How it gets soft when you dip and hold it in milk...best part
Just beautiful, I am speechless. Thank you.
this young man is an excellent poet. I had never been some inspired.
I never thought of it like that, your words speak volume...
This hit the head right on the nail for me. Thank you so much.
This is why I love Spoken Words
I can watch this a million times
In love with this!
My entire high school needs to listen to this poem.
"Well, Pardon my french, but Fuck you..." ~ Tucker Bryant 2014. Seriously, I lost it at that part.
Wow! His poetry never disappoints
This is probably the best poem I have watched,
This is amazing and I relate on such a personal level. Since elementary school I have been called an oreo. At first I was naïve and I didn't understand what the kids that teased me meant, but as I got older I began to understand. I hate that there is an expectation that I should act like a negative stereotype because of the color of my skin. I find it incredibly ignorant and it also shows that you don't think of African Americans in a very positive manor. This poem was magic!
Thank you. That was extremely enlightening and beautiful.
That's how you do it, youngblood!! Awesome job!!
*snap snap snap snap* and that's how it's done. this was great, from the first second to the very last.
I love this, black coffee, and poets who can speak louder than me.
That was awesome. Tears, man.
thank you.
Damn... Got chills. Beautiful work, man.
This gave me chills.
I'm speechless , because he needs to come to my school and recite this poem
Yo.. So Ive been watching poetry videos for the past hour and I love it. And tucker is awesome! I'm even feeling like writing my own stuff, I sometimes write music of my thoughts just so I can put it on paper.. Poetry seems like it would be fun
I'm also bi-racial so I can feel this so much. I live in an all white town, and im half spanish. People like to make jokes all the time like "ooooo deported" or things. Or people who get to know me will say things like, you act so white. Then they come to see my grandparents or my father and they realize. I've been told so many ignorant comments that take away from my background so I know the feel all to well.
You are not Spanish, you are half-mexican. Spaniards are white.
Alyssa Hernandez No, I don't sound ignorant, you would not be discriminated against if you were Spanish, but there is discrimination against Hispanics, and many Spaniards look pure aryan, so I assume you are Hispanic, not Spanish.
We've... Established this fact.
Aidan Holmström actually yes you do sound very ignorant. Mexican is not a race or ethnicity, it is a nationality. Mexicans can be descended from the French, from Germans, Spaniards, Native Mexicans, etc. Although a large part of the population is mestizo, as in mixed with native and Spanish ancestry.
erika velazquez No, you are wrong, Mexicans, by and large, are Mestizo, she would not be discriminated against if she was simply Spanish.
the ending 🙌👏👏
This one time this girl said I wasn't really black because I'm African... the world we live in today
Completely outstanding! I've always had to deal with people's bullshit because of my dark complexion and seeing it from another perspective is absolutely beautiful,I can honestly say I salute him for this work of art. Kepp it up man,things like this can change the world
I can relate because his was my whole life from 6th-11th grade because of my mixed race origins (mom is black , dad is creole (French / Indian & white ) , thank you so much for your eloquence on such a taboo issue
With all do respect, the white part does taste the best.
I have never related to a spoken word so much.
Im half asian and holly fuck can I relate.
The cadence reminds me a little bit of GSH at times. I love it. I also enjoy how fill can be interpreted as "feel."
Yes. This...beautiful and effortlessly powerful. Xo
Looking at all these gorgeous people speak their minds make me realize that we all have insecurities, even the best looking people. It's just that some people can hide it better.