Love truly is blind...otherwise, how would God see us? It would be a mess. My mess may not be the same as yours but a mess all the same. What many Americans dont understand about some Black People, African Americans, Negroes and whatever you may call people of color in the confines of your home, mind or publicly, is that it is a cultural experience the bond that we share as a people. Some Black People dont get it so Im alright with those who dont understand; Red, Yellow, Black or White. The Ferguson situation is much bigger than Ferguson, Michael Brown or the police officers. Ferguson, Michael and police officers are the representatives of a much larger culture. Until you have been discriminated against simply because of your color...until you have been mistreated...looked over...fired...let go....not considered...followed...jerked around...pulled over...mistrusted...for no reason other than color...you will not understand. Heres a taste of Donitas Story...prior to first grade, I had been taught some things about being Black but not truly observant of what I was being taught. The easiest example and lesson came from The Pines Theatre, the local movie theatre in Silsbee, TX. Here, like in most theaters Blacks sat in the balcony and Whites on the floor level. We were supposed to have the bad seats but today, I prefer balcony seats when I go to events...not nosebleed seats, but a comfortable mid balcony seat suits me fine. The next observance was Blacks and Whites separated for church worship. I answered the church phone one day at First Missionary Baptist Church and the person on the other end asked was this the colored First Baptist. I was five or six so I asked her to hold on, came back and described the church building. She said, are the people at the church Black or White. I said, two of us are brown and one is almost white, kinda yellow. She proceeded to call me everything but a child of God. She had no idea I had no idea what she meant. So...needless to say this was a Mamma conversation because she said lots of new words...racial and profane. My most horrific encounter of racism would educate me for a lifetime. Mamma had tried to teach the lesson but experience was by far the best teacher. When I entered Read Turrentine Elementary School integration was not mandatory. Boy was it NOT mandatory!!! Im sure other teachers were not prepared for this experience but my first grade teacher was NOT prepared and had NO desire to get prepared. I was now introduced to hate in its purest form. The excitement of going to school, learning, meeting new friends was devastated by this experience. She literally gave all White students their papers first then all Blacks. She would always make us be last. She would run out of snacks on the Black kids. What do you call this? I was despised for being in her A-1 class. She hated that I was in her top reading group. If she had had one of those Texas packing pistols, she would have shot me the day after spending an entire class period trying to let everyone figure out the word islandbut wouldnt call on me... I blurted it out. She turned redder than the blood that flowed through her and sat me in the hallway. My second grade experience was with a wonderful God-fearing teacher, Mrs. Mildred Banks Wiess who I still love dearly today. These roller coaster experiences continued throughout my school days. Attending college wasnt so bad but had their moments. Upon college graduation I returned home and started my teaching career. My appreciation is greater for bold and honest persons who let you know, I dont like Black People. Aint no nigger going to teach no child of mine. Great...lets get it fixed. Of course there were those who had the same feelings but tried to do it undercover. There were those who tried to look past my blackness (camouflage it) but were still uncomfortable. But thanks be to God for those who tested the waters to find out there wasnt a more loving, capable and no respect of persons educator to be found. The parents were not alone in their reservations... Some faculty and staff members had the same sentiments. I worked with those who smiled in my face all the time wanting to take my place in wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the professional craft. I was nice, kind and smiled most of the time in spite of knowing their true feelings towards me. All of this...just because Im Black. I cant tell you the countless times of being followed in Birdwells, looking in the mirrors at the drug stores and not being able to go inside of the local burger joints and going to the back. Believe me when I say I understood the point and the purpose of prejudice and I no longer went to these establishments. I was so glad when I got grown enough to tell the lady in Bealls and another at WalMart that followed Black people that I had a job and if I was going to be a thief I would be so good they could follow me and wouldnt catch me. Maybe I should not have been happy but I was the day the lady in Bealls was following me and I showed her the White lady out the window who had just walked out with 100s of dollars worth of merchandise. She was so red!!! I said thats what you get for following me around and Im not getting anything anyway and walked out the door. I could truly write a book because the saga continues... but this is a taste...a taste of my story. The story from a Black male is much different in a bad way. Through it all, I am required to live Godly. The value of kisses and hugs from White People have equal value in my life. The motivation, encouragement and inspiration I receive is color blind. The caring, concern and interest I see genuinely. All the dollars are green. But I cannot lie...there are situations that arise that my eyes see differently, like the riots, sit-ins, protests and so forth than how White people see it. I saw President Obamas in a totally different light than Fox News that is being praised. Its similar to you are not shopping for my family for Christmas...you are shopping for yours. Its amazing the games Black people must play and watch being played to keep peace in our society, get jobs, receive promotions and so forth. If we magnified every mistreated experience our society would be polarized in stupid mode. I failed the test on accepting anything for popularity, prestige or power. Im just fine in my Blackness. My color makes me love no one less. Hate has no part in my life. When we realize racism, injustice and unfair practices stand between us and Heaven, we must put these satanic cultures behind us and simply love as Christ loves...with no respect of person. Culturally, many Blacks come together because they have had the same pains before. They see the racial injustices. They have experienced the unfair practices. If America is to be one nation under God with liberty and justice for ALL...we as a Black People, all people of all colors, races, nationalities, genders and religions just want to see it practiced. Not on paper...not with lip service...not in thought but in deed.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 18:19:45 +0000
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