I Don't Feel Comfortable Being the Spokesperson for All Black People

Its funny the things we remember.  I was in a literature class 15 years ago in a small classroom with maybe 20 others.  I dont remember the material, the faces, or the building, but I do remember the exchange between the professor and a student and the way it stuck in my gut and shaped the way I feel to some extent.  Evidently we were covering some material that had a racial element to it and the professor directed a question toward the only African-American in the room.  I dont remember the question, but I'll never forget her response: "I dont feel comfortable being the spokesperson for all black people." .....AWWWWKWARD!  Quick someone say anything else! Evidently the prof thought itd be interesting to throw it to this poor girl to get the black perspective, or at least this is obviously how this girl took it. I cant remember if I thought the girl was brave or too sensitive, but I do remember thinking I couldve easily done the same thing the professor did, and it made me feel kinda guilty.  Luckily I had a close black friend at the time and he resolved me of my racial guilt (joke, lighten up)  I usually give people the benefit of the doubt, so Im gonna assume it was just an honest mistake or misunderstanding. I seriously doubt a professor teaching a childrens' lit class in Texas is a blatant racist...or was she? (sinister music) Anyway this points out a couple of serious things:

point #1 - Its not my responsibility and shouldn't be my responsibility to be the spokesperson for the larger group that I may be a part of.

I think most people would agree with that.  We are all our own people. I can only speak for myself and to an extent my business or operation. We would never expect the girl in my class to speak for "all black people", its unfair to her and it should make us reflect on how we can throw people into groups based on superficialities.

I want to start a blog, I want to advocate for agriculture (agvocating) among other things. I want it to be real, personal and honest.  I want it to promote all of agriculture but only really speak for me, my family, and our operation.

It doesnt matter what I want.

It didnt matter that Charles Barkley never wanted to be a role model.

The reality is that regardless of point #1, whats true is
point #2 - To many, many people, I will be the spokesperson for the larger group I am a part of , rightly or wrongly, like it or not, its out of my control.

Scary. Heavy. I have to be sure Im ready to speak up.  If I decide to jump in this social media world that is always on, always connected, able to share knowledge at the speed of light, for good or for evil, I will need a plan. Remember, its not my job and it shouldn't be my responsibility, but these aren't things we can control.  The girl in my class had no control of whether her professor viewed her as the spokeswoman for the NAACP.  In fact, she could've answered the question with something like "Actually as a young black woman I think the author captures the feelings a young slave might've been feeling....." etc etc And you know what? No one would've thought anything of it and would've probably appreciated the perspective.   She was the only African-American in the room, so there were no others there to say "Wait a minute, thats not the way I see it" or "Who invited Mrs. Jesse Jackson, you dont speak for me!"

I still cringe when I think about that day.....I cringe every time they trot out Pat Robertson or Rick Warren on tv to give us the Christian perpective.........

I just got back from the AgChat conference.  It was a lot like going to a high school reunion , except not your high school, but you had seen the yearbook ahead of time, kinda weird at first.  Maybe before the internet creepers used yearbooks? idk...   AgChat is a group of amazing people who have an amazing amount of energy and passion and technological knowhow that all share the same goal: to empower farmers and ranchers to connect with communities via social networking.  Well I guess it worked cause I feel empowered, I hope I know what Im getting myself into.

I've been hesitant to get too involved because of the old saying:

                           The nail that sticks out the farthest gets hammered the hardest.

Guess thats no way to live though.

Best I can figure it, if I'm not out there telling my story then some other unsuspecting spokesperson might be, and I guarantee It wont be as good as mine. So here's a quick version:


Our family milks cows and grows crops to feed those cows.  The milk goes all over the country, the manure goes back into the ground as fertilizer for the crops the cows eat which in turn produce the milk, its a neat little cycle.  We are a family farm, started in 1984 by my father-in-law and his dad. We now have 5 family members directly involved and more are on the way. We operate humanely, profitably, and efficiently and are always looking for opportunities for growth.  Our purpose is 3 fold: Cows, Families, and Feeding the World. We care for cows, they are our livelihood, and the #1 priority in all decisions.  We provide for families, our own, and the families of our 80 employees.  We are proud to provide work for men to support their families. We feed the world, 75 thousand gallons of milk each day and counting.  We will continue to produce as much quality milk as we can, as long as all of our purposes are met.

This is our story up til now, but online and off, its only the beginning.

-@JoshinYall