Michael -
My one campaign promise.....
I've always sworn that when/if i'm elected God that I'll make
everyone a delicious cafe au lait color so that we'll have to
find some new reasons to hate each other. This racial thing is
getting really tiresome.
And while I say this somewhat tongue in cheek (I mean, I'm not
really qualified to be God, I don't suppose), and while I have
nothing to complain about directly (since you can't look much
more WASP than me), know that I've watched sooo many friends
struggle with all of the race issues that stubbornly still cling
here in the South and that I'd love to be part of the answer.
As such, I teach my child to love people's hearts and their minds
and not their skin or their appearance, and I teach her to
appreciate the entire spectrum of creation, not just the parts
that she can see in her mirror.
I suppose it's human nature to exalt ourselves. It's just too
bad that the other side of that coin is too often that we
belittle those that are "other." Maybe my OTHER hero, Dr. Suess,
covers that topic best in his story about the Sneeches.
Anyhow.....
Thanks for talking about it.
Cindy
<<Julius-
I am SO weary of this topic! The only thing I am REALLY
uncomfortable
being called is white (even though momma was as white as they
come on the
outside). I have always been lumped with the coloureds or
darkies. As I
think I have expressed many times before on this culturally
diverse list is
that *I* can hang in just about any hood 'cept the white mans.
And that
doesn't mean I think all white people are prejudiced against us.
But when it
comes right down to it I am usually on the defensive when I am
amongst white
people. How many times have I been the situation groovin on some
music
somewhere and some white guy calls me _________ (insert YOUR
favorite
derogatory name here), only to be corrected by some other white
guy who
informs the first that I am "high yella" or "injun" or "..."
Lately here at
work one of the guys has taken to calling me "brown factor". It
is just the
latest in a very long line of names I have been called throughout
my life.
For the most part at this point they just roll or bounce right
off of me,
but deep down YES it still does hurt. I find this level of
ignorance still
very prevelant here in the deep south. They always seem to wanna
push the
envelope just as far as they can. Ultimately I continue to worry
for my
children who have also felt the hate from some kid a school who
was raised
by morons, that people who are different from you, should be made
fun of or
singled out in a negative way. <snip> I pray I do not offend
anyone with my honest
feelings here for it is not my intention. I only choose to share
this with
you guys so you can see the depth of hurt and confusion that hate
causes
people. It is so tragic that *we* have to classify ourselves as
any group
other than mere brothers, one and all.
As one,
Michael>>
Julius wrote:
> *I* take no offense to being referred to as "Black," Wally, but
Paz might.
> ;-) However, I generally capitalize the term. I have issues
with
"colored"
> and "negro" though...but that's just me. I not sure what
you're asking
with
> regard to the term "African-American." A euphemism for what?
If a Black
> person is Canadian they would probably be an African-Canadian.
I believe
> most Jamaicans are Black. One would probably refer to
European-Jamaicans
> for differentiation, when necessary.
>
> I just read Sherelle's post on this thread and am amazed at the
> synchronicity of our views on Joni having soul. Thanks for
your thoughts,
> Sherelle. Very well stated.
>
> - -Julius
