jkca1 wrote:
Today I was sitting outside a grocery store waiting for my kid to come out. I saw a black woman and her young son pass by. I thought to myself what must she be thinking today and everyday? She's an easy target for racists. She's got a son and I am sure she wants him to grow up and be safe and have opportunities. Is every white person suspect? How awful to have to live in fear of violence, or verbal abuse or discrimination. My family watched the events of this weekend together. We were horrified. As a parent I don't know what to do other than to try and be a role model to my kids. To instill in them that everyone should be treated fairly. That justice for all means exactly what it says. That you don't judge a person until you know them. I'm curious what other parents have told their kids?
i'll provide some insight. she's probably not thinking about it as much as you think. even though i am a POC, an overwhelming majority of my friends are white. i don't know the exact numbers, but i would say 80-90%. part of that is from spending my high school years in the suburbs, part of it is because the hobbies i do (triathlon and ice climbing.... you just don't see a lot of minorities in these sports).
i have grown up, and i con't to be surrounded by white people who fight the good fight just like i do. they despise racism, they denounce bigotry, and they demonstrate daily (to me) that i am no different from them. i'm fortunate, because of these people, when i see a racist, or experience racism, i don't think "all white people are racist". i do however feel "most racists are white" often when i experience racism. why? well, i've been called a racial slur ONCE by people of color. a group of young kids, (under 12-13 years old). i stopped counting the time i've been called a racial slur by a white person.