wow, I think this is powerful. Unique to see something like this written from a white person's veiw. As a black woman I can speak for most black people, but of course not all. I was taught to love everyone and not judge a person by their skin color, however at the same time I learned by listening and observing my family, that white people aren't to be trusted. Sure they'll act like your friends, but when it comes down to the get down, they're going to protect their own. My grandfather would tell me, don't you marry no white man. I had a crush on a white guy at my school.I said granddaddy that's wrong... He said, baby I'm just telling you the truth.You can't trust em. He took me around and showed me parts of the city that used to be all white and all black, he showed me how far he had to walk to school when there was one for white people just down the street. He would tell me how even when segregation took place the school would go on trips and the white kids could get as much soda as they wanted, while the blacks were instructed not to ask for anymore. As an adult, I know that people only know what they are taught and what they have been through. How can I expect my grandfather to trust white people when he lived through an era when his friends were killed just for having sex with a white woman? I agree that with some people you can look at them and tell so much about them. Kinda like when my husband drives to the store and as he's getting out the car, the white woman in the parking lot locks her doors. She's been taught- that black man will rob you. It's all stero types. All black people like fried chicken, white people don't season their food. White people let their kids run around like crazy with no discipline. All black men are thugs. I think the way this country started is to blame. It's hard to change creatures of habit. It's not right but its' true. I notice the way white men approach me, almost as if it's a secret, they look over their shoulders like they don't want to get caught talking to the black woman. The way each race acts is something we've all gotten used to . And I am familiar with that look you speak of. I'm sure you don't mean it this way, but when I see that look on a white person, I feel the urge to start acting "black" just to urk with him. It comes off like a dry, you're dirty, don't touch me nigger kind of look.
Anyway, I know this essay you wrote is old, and I don't mean to bore you with these thoughts, but I found this so interesting, honest and well written. As a black woman I know that it seems to be OK for black people to voice their opinion on your race, but not vice versa. Even though I meant everything I said, I can say that when a white person initiates conversation, or a smile, or anything warm, we laugh and talk and color melts away. Black people are on guard and usually let the white person show what kind of person they are first, then everything runs smoothly. We don't want to feel stupid or embarrassed. Its a shame in today's time this still exsists. But its true. With some people I meet, race isn't an issue, but if I even sense that look.. that's when I get on guard. |
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