In fall 2006, I said that I would leave a certain situation if someone who was plainly racist was involved. Someone I looked up to said:
“You’d be wrong. You’d be wrong because you’re taking this personally because you got a black wife.”
It’s never sat right with me. For one, I honestly think I deserved this person’s loyalty more than the racist guy we were talking about. And also, uh, racism isn’t something that’s Okay, no? It’s not like something that’s Okay that I shouldn’t take so personally because my heart belongs to a black woman. Right? I’m wrong to take it personally because, what, it’s Okay in Maryland? Or because I’m not actually black myself by only sharing my life with someone who is?
I’ve been disturbed by this statement for a long time. And by the family member sitting right there who didn’t stick up for me at all.
Read more past posts:
“You’d be wrong.”
I can’t imagine dogging a person for standing up for their beliefs. The person who said that doubtless defends what *they* believe in. Bah, people’s logic sometimes escapes me.
And really, shouldn’t we all take racism personally? Because if I see it, if I allow it… I’d say I’m personally involved because I know it’s wrong.
Sorry. Friday of a long week. I may not be making sense, but I get what you’re saying and don’t blame you for being bothered.
“And really, shouldn’t we all take racism personally?”
That’s what I would think. At first, I was like, “Oh, man, he really called me on it.” But then I thought of it more — what kind of person thinks racism is NOT a personal issue? What kind of issue is it then?
I am of Indian ethnicity,and since 9/11 have been mistaken for an Arab or Mid-Easterner of some sort,and have been called names. “Rag-Head”, “Ay-Rab”, etc.
On the one hand, I dont want to reward the racist person uttering those words t he satisfaction of knowing that he/she has hurt me, yet, on the other hand, I know that the racist person has to be taught a lesson. Sadly enough, a lot of the racist comments have come from black folks.
I dont know what would be the best way to react when such comments are directed at me.
So out of curiosity… what brought this up after 2+ years?
Unfortunately, I am ignorant of racial issues “for the most part”. The areas that I have lived in are less than 1 percent black. Every black person I have known has been white collar. well educated, and for the most part very nice people. To me it seems like they are “just another person”.
And when my daughters speak of black people and discribe them by their skin color, they say “brown person”. I’ve always thought that was interesting.
Steven
I’m not sure, but I think I just remembered the conversation and how strange of a thing to say it was. To suggest that I was being unfair for taking racism personally was bizarre to me, even beside being married to a black woman.
gotta agree with you. that’s… a bit bizarre.