I am white and it was new to me to hear how white people don't really have a racial identity. I recognize that as true, and sad. I loved the comment made by one of the Asian women about how wonderful it is to be different and celebrate and learn about the differences. At a deep, core level, I wish that is how our society functioned. I hope that we will do the work to get to this wonderful place. I feel excitement in anticipation of the beautiful conversations that I can have sharing stories of the uniqueness and glory that is each race.
At the same time, I feel the profound sadness of the stories of minorities being profiled and how it is integrated into their own thoughts and emotions. I see the beautiful black women questioning their beauty and worth. I see the sweet, young black men telling stories of white women clutching their purses , and of one black man saying that he crossed the road so as not to scare the white woman. I see the young black man talking about how his mother has to worry about him just for being a young black man in our society.
I wonder about what beauty can be created for the white race in our society that celebrates diversity and uniqueness? I wonder if it is possible to get to this point, rather than the chronic guilt that leaves many whites afraid to discuss or even acknowledge white racial identity? Denial of white race because of the extremists who deliberately uphold white supremacy holds us all hostage. It perpetuates the atrocities, both subtle and overt. I am ready to start having conversations. I hope that a great many of us will do so!
