#Racism #WakingUp #Mindbites<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the first in a series of being open about growing up, understanding privledge, and making mistakes. Keep in mind, I am blessed to have grown beyond this thinking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Life in the late 80s \/ early 90s, was different than now or at least I wasn’t as aware of my actions as I am now. For context, I also grew up in a mostly white suburb of Chicago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was on a trip with my Dad and my older brother to Washington, D.C and was in sixth grade. I remember the trip vividly. It was a great change to explore history and spend it with my family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the way to D.C, we got turned around and ended up in a “rough” neighborhood. I didn’t know what that meant at the time. As we drove through the predominantly black neighborhood, I remember my dad rolling up the windows and locking the door. I didn’t understand why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I went back to school after the trip, a teacher asked me to write about the experience. I vividly remember asking her what the name of the “black” neighborhood was. She looks at me confused and said she didn’t know. So I finished writing. Nothing more was said of that incident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now more than 35 years latter, I remember it. I am sickened by the fact, I thought like that. This is what systemic racism is. I was never approached by anyone, never in harm’s way, or anything. It was a normal neighborhood with people doing their business. But because of my Dad’s actions, I was taught a lesson: Predominately black neighborhoods should be feared and are rough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I now know how wrong I was. I understand that there are bad people in every neighborhood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Racism doesn’t have to be blatant or said. You don’t have to be active in teaching it, it is learned by observation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. You can grow and apologize. We all make mistakes and can realize why those mistakes were wrong and not do it again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hope you’ve enjoyed the first #mindbites. More to come. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"