Let’s talk about race, a tough subject. Of course, we are considerate of all and never want to hurt any feelings. We just want to share with you thoughtful, provoking ideas. Hopefully, you, the reader, can take this in stride, and maybe this will help you grow in ways you may need to.
As I write this article, I’m reminded of some of the great black writers in history who wrote about race, like, James Baldwin, W.E.B. DuBois, Maya Angelou, and Amiri Baraka. I’m also reminded of some of the great white writers in history who wrote about race, like Jodi Picoult and Matthew Ruff.
Great white writers in history
- James Baldwin: Go Tell it On The Mountain
- W.E.B. DuBois: Souls of Black Folks
- Maya Angelou: Why A Caged Bird Sings
- Jodi Picoult: Small Great Things
- Matthew Ruff: Love Country
These great writers and so many others offer glimpses into race, culture, politics, gender, color, racism, prejudice, and stereotypes. As an avid reader, I suggest you get these books. Let’s get into it!
The racist comes in all shapes and sizes. You can be black or white, a man or a woman, identify as he/him/she/her/they/them, or non-binary. You can be a bigot, (be prejudice and not be a racist.) As a matter of fact, you don’t have to be a human, the only qualification is to be alive. It’s definitely hard to not be racist or prejudice. The environment, the world that we live in is teaching us, our kids and even our animals to be racist. I had a lady come up to me one day and say, now don’t laugh, she says, could you please pet my dog because I don’t want her to not like black people. In my mind I said whoa, but as I proceeded to pet the dog, I said to her, I couldn’t help myself, your dog won’t be scared or dislike black people if you don’t teach her to be that way! Wow, the irony of statement. I was so proud of myself. In those kinds of situations, I usually don’t say anything, I just let people be. That interaction partly inspired this article. After that, I just had to write this.
I pride myself on being one of the most non racist humans you could possibly meet. I’m so glad that my feelings, my mind, my emotions, and my eyes are under subjection when it comes to race. I love to learn and talk about race, as well as Diversity, Equality & Inclusion. Life for me would be so different if those things or topics weren’t important to me, I just couldn’t imagine it.
How about you? Of course I still struggle with stereotypes, but I’m happy to say that more than often I’m able to have control over my racist and stereotypical feelings. No kudos to me. I’m thankful that I had good teachers, parental units that have taught me the difference between being a racist and being prejudice. Yes, I have put in the work. Because of the life I’ve been fortunate to live, I’ve had first hand knowledge of both sides of the coin.
As an African-American tennis player, I've experienced racism from white and black people. My black family and friends would ask me all the time, “Why do you wanna play that white sport?” White people who didn’t think I should be playing tennis would boo me and call me awful words, while advocating cheating, so it works both ways. Look up the definition of Racism, Prejudice and Stereotype.
Most people really don’t know the differences or what the words mean.
Racist: Having reflecting or fostering the belief that race is a determinant of human traits or capabilities or that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.
Prejudice: A feeling, favorable or unfavorable towards a person or thing, not based on experience. A symbolic transfer of values by individuals resistant to change.
Stereotypes: An unfair or untrue belief by a person about all people or things within a particular culture or group.
Of course we could add to those definitions. The point I want to give you is that the three mean different things. Know the difference!
I would like to leave you with this. Sunday is the most segregated day of the week! Sometimes churches are the most segregated places! No disrespect! What do you think?
It’s 2024 and the world is a different place than it was years ago. I could write about what time periods looked like or what was happening or going on at those times. I would like to ask that you take the time to read about history. Don’t let your life go by without learning about what it took to get to this place, at this time in history. I really believe in my heart that the time will come when people will say no more! Hopefully, it’s for a good cause.
Will humankind, or humanity, ever reach the point of consciousness that allows us to come together to help our world? Will we ever be able to move forward from the past that haunts us and destroys any kind of positive dialogue between all races, creeds, colors, genders, religions, political beliefs, or economic status? I hope so. I just want to help open the door that allows us to have conversations that have been avoided for too long.
Speak to someone about race, your feelings or thoughts about it. Stop harboring those deep emotions and focus on yourself instead of worrying what others may say or think about you. Small steps can equal great progress, fostering change.
6 Types of Racist People
- The Racist Out of Fear
- The Money Racist
- Unconscious Racist
- The Brought Up Racist
- The Out of Ignorance Racist (Ex. The Black Man/Woman, The White Man/Woman
- The Hiding Racist
The material that you have received today is enough for a lifetime if you choose to educate yourself and start the process. The love and hate from people fuel the fire. Make it about you, learn about who you are, then make it about others, learn about who they are. Say to yourself, I made it about me but now it’s about them.
You have to turn on that genius and be the person that you know you can be. Create change! Don’t let life pass by anymore without feeling like you did something to help someone or create some kind of change. Make your dreams become reality through hard work and dedication. It’s really about helping humanity, I won’t let hate win with me!
We can get to the Top of the Mountain! We can make it Happen! Don’t be lost in your own mind anymore. Stop living the hate of the past. You’re in control. Say, I’m here! I’m found, I’m free and it’s time to live that way. Don’t be a doormat. Believe in people, believe in Humanity! Don’t say, “Oh the world will never change.” People will hate you for whatever reason they may have to justify their own actions and behaviors.
I’m thinking of all the people who will read it and say, “I wanna live!” I don’t wanna be Racist, prejudiced or Stereotypical anymore. I won’t be scared anymore to talk about race. I won’t live in the shadows. I love life and I want to talk about my feelings towards Race. I Love People, I Love Humanity.
Love one another!
