"it's part of being a Person of Color in America." How can this not break everyone's heart?
"Before giving me the books, he would painstakingly shade in the characters..." What an awesome father! Wish this was not the case but that, to me, is an example of a great father.
New term for me is "Bamboo Ceiling," totally makes sense to me.
I do not know where to begin after this section other than recognizing that I accept the responsability of all the times I have been a participant and continue to be a participant in this ignorance. With that said, what resonates with me is the conversation white folks expressed. While I am not uncomfortable with discussing racism or culture but instead the idea that I will offend. Always has been but I face that personal discomfort, for example. In college, I enrolled in a Black History class. On the first day, the faculty member looked at the roster and said Mr. Miller I think you may be in the wrong class. I got nervous and asked if this was HIST 123. I get a yes, nope I'm in the right class. You know we will be talking about sensitive topics. I am down with everyone saying whatever they want in the course, all I ask is the opportunity to ask any respectful question. Just before handing back our midterm, the faculty member says to me, "I should ask you to leave as I need to talk to the class but you said you wanted an authenticate experience. Your choice, leave now or stay?" I am in. He turns to the class, "How are you going to let some cracker know your history better than you?"
At the beginning of the course, the status of my privilege was apparent. In the process of my desire to be educated, I challenged my status quo. During that challenge, I was introduced to the frustration expressed in every single one of these videos. That experience was has made a positive impact on me and I would not change it for anything, that was over 25 years ago. Courageous Conversations are not going to be comfortable, especially for me as a truly privileged white male. I mean I check every box there is, my ancestry is 100% eurocentric (Anglo-Saxon, German, Scottish, and Irish - mom wanted to know the family genealogy) and top of it I am 6'8" about 280lbs. Yes, I played ball in college. Did I know what I was learning at the time I was experiencing it, no? This is one example I hold onto to ground me and shift my frame of reference away from my biased perspective.
If you read this entire monologue, thank you for your time. If you are feeling emotions and want to respond please do. I will read all comments with the approach of listening to understand. Should you want me to reply please simply notate as such.
Thank you for being open to learning about others and having the courage to have "uncomfortable" conversations. This, to me, is one of many necessary steps that will lead to real change and unity.