This thought has come into my head a few times over the past 4 days. I know, it might thought of as a duh, who doesn't think of this. What set it apart from all other times was the fact that i categorized points about the issue in order to gain better understanding. So, i bet your all wondering what the heck is it. Well, it is racism.
I don't know if any of you have previously seen this new show called "black, white." Well i had the somewhat fortunate pleasure of seeing part of an episode thanks to dvr. For all of you who don't know what the show is about, it is centered around two famalies, one black and one white. Each family is then transformed into the other race and they have to live together in a house and basically go through life for a few days as the other race. One thing is that in the house the make up comes off and they are themselves again, where comments start being exchanged showing the naiveness of some (especially the white mother and father).
Throughout the episode i was amazed at the ignorance and dismissal of racism by the "white" father. As the "black" father told him of experiences he had of people treating him differently (in a negative manner) throughout his life because of his race, he keeps making excuses for them. The "white" father sits there and says that he believes in life if you are good and treat others with courtesy and respect you will always get it back. This was mainly in response to the "black father talking about how people would follow him in stores and pretend they want to help him with something. Now, the "black" father is a grown man, who is the "white" father to sit there and dismiss all that the "black" father has been through within the course of his life. This was something that really disturbed me, seeing that people can still be so passive about such a big and important issue. The "white" father could of made more of an atempt to understand his situation, ask him more about his experiences and try to learn from it. But unfortunately he didn't do that. He basically put the whole mans life and expreriences into a phrase about courtesy. I myself have experinced the racism that the "black" father speaks of. I did not got looking for it but it unfortunately found me. Im not going to sit here and talk about every single thing that has ever happened to me, but wehter you are white, black, spanish, or asian, you all know it happens. I at least hope you know for the sake of mankind and a better tommorrow because the only way ignorance such as this can be changed is to be aware that it is happening and vow never to do the same.
*So basically here is my point: racism is
1. A selfish act done to surpress
2. An ignorant act
3. An act done to replace some piece missing inside
4. Stupid period!!!
