Everyday I wake up, I know who I am. .I am a black woman living in America. This concept seems simple enough to me and not a big deal. I go to work, deal with my issues, take care of my bills and my family. .. normal things? I grew up extremely naive of the world as a military brat around white people most of my young life. I was never truly privy to the hate that people had towards people like me, it was never an issue. Anybody who did have an issue never made it known to me.
As an adult I am seeing everyday just how naive I was. With the election my eyes have been opened even more so and it sucks. I'm never one to judge someone based on superficial reasons. I judge you according to how you act, not your gender, race, age, or anything else that doesn't necessarily make a person be this way or that. I also know that there are plenty people in the world who are also this way, but it's pretty annoying to see these blogs.. such as "stuff black people don't like" where hatred is the common denominator. People that are commenting are teachers. .. and that's scary! Not only teachers are commenting, I'm just saying.... I've never considered myself a cynical person, but being slapped in the face with such a reality is definitely cause to see things with more of a fine tooth comb. With every skipped over opportunities and attitude given, I not only have to look at myself and ask what did I do wrong, I also have to ask if it's possible that I just wasn't the preferred race. I not only have to reexamine these things in regards to me but my children as well.
It's a hard truth to swallow knowing that no matter how intelligent, qualified, or experienced that I am or my children are. ... the only qualifications that will matter are our beautiful skin tone and preconceived notions that go along with it. People ask me why do I look at things like that blog. ...I tell them that I have to be informed about things going on around me, not so much for me but for my children. .. it would be irresponsible for me not to be aware of these things. I don't go searching for these hateful things, but with the increase of technology and social media. .. It gives everyone the opportunity to show their ass, figuratively and literally lol. It's hard being the best person you can be but denied common decency because of ignorance. There have been many occasions where I have dealt with people and it was obvious that they felt they were entitled to being treated better than I was when they didn't even know me. I often wonder where does this feeling of entitlement come from? Why do people feel that they are the exception to the rules because they are them? Why do they feel that I am not worthy because they are them? And why do they feel that they should not be called on it? How can you get mad at someone for calling you out on your actions? You mean you're mad because I'm mad that you're out of line. ..you're mad that I'm mad with you????
Do I think racism will ever go away? Not likely, hate begets hate and very rarely does it beget courage to overcome it. The best I can do is educate mine and try to spread that knowledge and be as aware as possible. To the people on that blog and blogs and mindsets alike I say. .. God bless you all.
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