Racism

> You know, this is something you really don't even want to say....because people think....oh....she must be a racist or something if she had a problem.



As a black female, I've felt like this. Imagine if you and your siblings are the only black children (or children of color if you prefer) growing up in an all white (98% or 99%) community. The racism that I've experienced in my life did not come from being in this community. My siblings and I were treated like all the rest of the children. I came to school with braids, and the next day my best friend surprised me and had braided her hair too. The teachers and parents of other students were all respectful and I felt like I belonged there.



The majority of the racism I've received has come from..other black people. I was raised to treat everyone with respect, and I'd like to think that as an adult I do a good job at it. In the african american community it seems to be some that definitely were not taught how to treat others. Some that have not learned that not all groups of people are alike.



I do not like the N word or any other racial terms. I remember rejecting a mans offer to take me out on a date. He responded by calling me a "N***er b***h". This man was black. When I went to college and wanted to join a sorority, I was told that I was not "black enough". Whether they were just testing me or not, I decided against pursuing membership.



Racism affects us all, and it is sad that so many people continue to suffer because of it. Never be afraid to speak up and make your voice heard.

It is sad. You're right. And you're right to feel segregated against. Unfortunately, people will always perceive you that way depending on how they were brought up, and the only thing you can do is not stoop to their level. Prove them wrong and kill them with kindness. And if that doesn't work, well, you did your best.



Just remember, there are good people out there who aren't ignorant. The woman that you worked for probably has some anger issues and maybe some really traumatic stuff happened to her as a kid. Example: a lot of rape victims have fears of being touched and feel ashamed when being intimate with someone, or it brings back flashbacks of their horrible experience.



It may have been the same thing for this woman. Obviously, that is not your fault. But, try and think of it that way.



Like sometimes when someone cuts me off on the highway or doesn't say thank you when I say 'bless you' or anything like that, I just think 'well maybe they're having a bad day', or 'maybe someone close to them passed away'. OR they could just be a*&holes. Point is, you never know.



Not saying it's right, because it's not, but it might help you understand a little.



: )

I grew up in Detroit too. East side between 7 and 8 mile road. I experienced a lot of racism too. OMG I was called names, my nose was too skinny, my butt too flat, my chest too flat, couldn't dance, talked too white, not allowed to be on certain sport teams, and dissed all the time. Funny how a lot of people think racism can't happen to Whites because, socially and politically, Whites have the power, but when you are a kid all you know is that you don't have any power and the rest of the world is a different color than you and they are the ones with the power. A sociology professor said to us once that a White person could never experience discrimination like black people do. I raised my hand and told some of my experience and she still stood by her statement. The rest of the class debunked her statement. Racism comes out of the heart and anyone can have it. It is also collective and in Detroit, White people were the minority and contrary to the rest of America, did not have the power.

Detroit is Detroit. I grew up as a white kid in one of the blue collar suburbs on the west side border of Detroit in the 70's. It was common if we ever road our bikes into Detroit to get chased by gangs of black kids. We have also had our Schwinn Stingrays stolen at knifepoint, at the local mall, I think we were 9 or 10 at the time. As an adult being white in Detroit is no picnic either. The blacks in Detroit are very militant. They will usually ask you racial bating questions like "What would you do if your sister was dating a black guy?" Or "What would you do if a black person moved in your neighborhood?" I did not grow up with any black kids, nor had any in school. The Detroit blacks thought my town was not good enough, so if they moved out of the city to a suburb, they usually went to the nicer city to the northern border. This mentality has ruined Detroit. It is evident with over 90% of the population in Detroit being black, and the city is in now in ruins, I dont think it is racism, its called reality. Ever try and pull a permit in Detroit? If you are white, you are treated like a second class citizen. How did racism become racism if it is only against a jew, black or mexican. If you want to get rid of racism, it has to be across the board, not selective.

a Detroit thing ?

I personally have never understood racism.I spent 7 and a half years in the army. I had very close friends of all races and both sexes.I guess I have selective blindness, I don't see color or race.

It's a hard thing to say this, but I did experience this first hand in Lansing, not too far from Detroit. You know, this is something you really don't even want to say....because people think....oh....she must be a racist or something if she had a problem. But seriously, I moved into the middle of a black neighborhood in Lansing because I found a great deal on a house. There were some white people living on my street, but not too many. And when I went shopping, I got the fish eye....a LOT. I got LOOKS. I went to McDonalds and asked for a hot chocolate and then I asked if I could have a little milk in it to cool it down and the girl at the window handed me a container of milk and she said "Here is your WHITE milk for your hot CHOCOLATE." I was blown away. You don't THINK that racism is alive and well....but it really is.