I had a conversation with a racist this afternoon. Not by choice, you understand. It was a professional setting. And what was nominally the topic of conversation had of course nothing to do with race. And yet, the racist MADE it about race.
Interesting, right? ‘Cuz looking back on the afternoon and the years I’ve known this person, it all led up to this moment.
I had a feeling the person was a racist. There had been statements, here and there, nothing overt. But ya got the sense, you know?
And then today, there it was — it wasn’t said TO me, but it went right past me – right out in the open — in a room with other people — out loud — in 2008 — are you getting how F-ing shocking it was for me????? Are you getting how I wasn’t raised that way???? Are you hearing my outrage? Well, I hope the racist heard me, too.
Because I said something. Even though almost no one else did. I was inarticulate and I stammered a little — I blame the outrage for that (I was shaking) — but I said it wasn’t OK to say those words out loud.
At least the person it was said to was more articulate. THAT person was well-spoken and didn’t drop to the level of the racist when responding. It was inspirational.
I’ve already been over it in my head 25 times and have written myself some killer lines I should have would have could have said. But that’s life: no do-overs.
I’ve never experienced racism in its naked form before. I guess that means I’ve lived a sheltered life. I guess. I’m shaken and I’m disgusted.
An original post by Sarah Auerswald.
OMG! I would have done the same thing, responding to the person, to inform and to put them in their place. I have been on this earth for 39 years, and yes, as a mixed race person, sometimes people not knowing what the heck I represent, tend to put me in a category and treat me with the utmost racist behavior. I hate racism! And, yes, it is out there, everywhere. People of color see and feel, when they are in a certain environment, that does not include a variety of race/ethnicity or in a certain economical one. Whatever the case, it is out there. I thank you for speaking on the matter. Many people don’t experience it because of who they are or where they are and they think it doesn’t exist any longer. They are fooling themselves. Teach it to your kids, that it is out there, breathing, and thriving. Sure, it’s not what is use to be, and we have made tremendous progress on the issue, nevertheless, it still exist. Thank you, for speaking out!