One very unpleasant memory I have is of an incident where I experienced bias, prejudice, and oppression on a hot day while living in the South. On this particular day, my boyfriend, who is biracial, and I were walking together in a shopping mall, along with my son. Two little old ladies were standing at the entrance talking and when we walked pass by, one said, “This is unbelievable, everyone should stay with their own color”.
Without hesitating, we stopped in our tracks and confronted these ladies. I wanted to know why she said, “I just think it’s just a shame and whites should stay with whites, and blacks should be with blacks”. One then looked at my boyfriend and said, “You look white and should be with a white girl”.
My boyfriend said, “Well, my mom is black, but my dad is white, so now who should I be with?” We walked away and left them standing there, with their mouths hanging open. Although I looked calm, I was simmering on the inside, but I was glad I confronted these two black women. People are still prejudice about color and their behaviors will change when they want it to change. We may never be accepted by others, but then we don’t eat or sleep with them, nor do we depend on them.
Race relations have really increased in this generation and it’s our country that needs to become more accepting of the different cultures. Individuals that date outside their race still face challenges from bigoted individuals. Racism exists and it really doesn’t matter where you live, although I have found racism in practiced more openly in the South, where in the North, it is hidden.
It is my decision to date someone I fell in love with and he just happens to be biracial and together we can overcome any obstacles that come our way. After growing up and learning and knowing better, I have truly begin to accept the way people look at each other. This is not going to leave and hopefully one day it will get better for future generations, who are more open-minded and tolerant.
Janet,
ReplyDeletewhat a terrible incident! I can't imagine how your boyfriend must have felt, feeling as though he didn't "belong" with either race, and how you must have felt being told you were with the wrong guy, just because of color. How ridiculous. These two women are clearly ill-informed, because a person is a person no matter the difference, and it is a person's personality and caring demeanor that is important, not the way they look or what they believe in or their sexual orientation or any other such characteristic.
I think you're right that the younger generations have a lesser problem with the race issue than older generations, but it sadly does still exist. And, it can be passed down from the older generations or learned in our culture. I don't think I will ever understand why someone can be prejudiced against someone else's race. I'm sorry you had such a hurtful event occur to you, and I bet you are raising your son to be anti-biased to combat situations like this.
Thanks for sharing your story,
Lydia
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ReplyDeleteJanet,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you had to go through this experience. It is quite upsetting to learn how some people still regard issues of race. What is even more shocking to me that they had the audacity to voice their thoughts! I cannot fathom how this is still an issue to some people. My sister is married to a black man , and I often hear negative comments about that, too. It makes me upset, but I always argue that God did not differentiate between races; He did not say that races must be segregated or that one race is allotted privilege while other races are not...He created one world, not a separate world for each group. I hope one day everyone will believe that. Thank you for sharing, Janet.
Hi Janet,
ReplyDeleteI am inspired by you and your boyfriend's reaction to confront these women. You communicated the message well and clear to them and that takes great strength and courage to do so. Additionally, you are right, I believe that if more people can view other individuals and the world beyond the surface of things, we can enhance the development and wellbeing of societies and people.