There has been so much attention this year given to events between police and African American citizens, all of which are terribly sad, though the NY event seems just horribly negligent and heartless. I understand many of the protests, and regret the further violence on police. One cannot drive around Columbia and be moved be extreme economic disparities, and to the extent to which much of that divides out on racial lines. Having said that, the experience of my day to day life is different. I see everywhere I go black people and white people and Hispanic people interacting kindly and naturally. I see for example in stores and restaurants white clerks waiting on black clients, and black on white clients, and people of all races and ages opening doors for the other, and speaking kindnesses, being deferential. I see black and white and Hispanic and Asian at sporting events and gas stations and grocery stores devoid of tension, well except between Clemson and SC fans! I talk almost every day with black white and Hispanic men and women serving others in their businesses, and they are always kind to me. I see interracial couples every day and racially mixed children who are just children amongst children. I see black, white, and Hispanic soldiers together protecting our country and community. Despite all the problems, despite all the work yet to be done, yet, still, there is also much love, much mutual kindness, much commonality in being part of this community called Columbia, and black and white and Asian and Hispanic folks all being South Carolinians together. Amidst the bad, lets not forget also the good.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 14:59:52 +0000
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