When I talk about racism, bigotry or prejudice, please remember I am first generation post Jim Crow. I was born in 1968. My parents married in a state that ALLOWED for such a union unlike her home state of South Carolina. My mother drank from colored only water fountains and couldnt attend many colleges in her home state in spite of her sterling academic record. My Black grandparents and mother told me stories that would make you weep bitter tears. Like the ones they shed for many years. Who and what they were/are was forged out of that world. I grew up in the 70s and my visits to South Carolina were filled with confusing panoramas of poor Blacks, Whites living in their own neighborhoods and going to their own schools. Back in New York City, I lived a cosmopolitan life surrounded by all colors, races and ethnicities. When I moved to Charleston in the late 70s I had to learn to live with the remnants of Jim Crow. So no, I’m not anti-White. I’m not a militant Negro. I don’t see a racial boogeyman around every corner. I don’t see race in every argument, debate or scandal. However, I do see the lingering effects of institutional racism. I do see and read the sometimes almost imperceptible reactions of White folk to those of color when a scandal breaks out. I do see how stereotypes are so ingrained that some folk feed into them and others still believe them enough to judge others by them. I’m not apologizing for what I say or share on my Facebook page. I seek only to express why I share and discuss some of the articles I do. Nothing changes hearts and minds like open and honest discussion. Even if the conversation is uncomfortable.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 20:45:19 +0000
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