Understanding Racism
The beginnings of wisdom31 total reviews
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written true story about the different races that is an issue for many years where the black people feel they are discriminated against because the colour of their skin, it is not the skin color that do bad things or good things it us the person inside the skin who behaves good or bad.
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A very well-written true story about the different races that is an issue for many years where the black people feel they are discriminated against because the colour of their skin, it is not the skin color that do bad things or good things it us the person inside the skin who behaves good or bad.
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020
Comment from Mastery
This is a very polished essay on the subject, Lance. I enjoyed reading it and must admit when you guys were in the white neighborhood, I was waiting for "the other shoe to drop." as it were.
I think a good deal of our racism stems from the environment we grew up in as kids. For instance, my teen years were spent on Long Island. And even though many may think you cannot live out on the Island unless you were white or well connected, we always lived in black, or nearly all black neighborhoods. My father didn't make enough money clearing $65.00 a week to have us live in other places. We were poor.
They were all run down and when we lived in Huntington Station we never paid any attention to mowed grass or big houses. LOL there were none.
My parents had black adult friends they played cards with and went to the bars with. there was never any mention of color differences. At least none that I ever remember. We played with mostly, black kids, and yes, some were very good pals of mine.
Color did not seem to matter and this was back in the fifties.
However, if a person were to visit some of the white neighborhoods on the Island, like Babylon, I am sure it was a different story altogether. Who knows?
I have no answers for the healing either..I am just mystified by it all today. Bless you, Lance. Good write as usual. : ) Bob
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This is a very polished essay on the subject, Lance. I enjoyed reading it and must admit when you guys were in the white neighborhood, I was waiting for "the other shoe to drop." as it were.
I think a good deal of our racism stems from the environment we grew up in as kids. For instance, my teen years were spent on Long Island. And even though many may think you cannot live out on the Island unless you were white or well connected, we always lived in black, or nearly all black neighborhoods. My father didn't make enough money clearing $65.00 a week to have us live in other places. We were poor.
They were all run down and when we lived in Huntington Station we never paid any attention to mowed grass or big houses. LOL there were none.
My parents had black adult friends they played cards with and went to the bars with. there was never any mention of color differences. At least none that I ever remember. We played with mostly, black kids, and yes, some were very good pals of mine.
Color did not seem to matter and this was back in the fifties.
However, if a person were to visit some of the white neighborhoods on the Island, like Babylon, I am sure it was a different story altogether. Who knows?
I have no answers for the healing either..I am just mystified by it all today. Bless you, Lance. Good write as usual. : ) Bob
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020
Comment from reconciled
I grew up poor and white in Detroit...and learned through experience racism isnt just a whites only drinking fountain.
I appreciate you Lance...always have your honest evaluations of human life in the big city of US.
I dont like or think it wise to separate Americans by skin color...black Americans white Americans...brown yellow or blue...We are Americans...period.
The separation is part of the problem not a solution. I worry that all that binds US as One...has been systematically and deliberately separated.
Great read. Love Michael
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I grew up poor and white in Detroit...and learned through experience racism isnt just a whites only drinking fountain.
I appreciate you Lance...always have your honest evaluations of human life in the big city of US.
I dont like or think it wise to separate Americans by skin color...black Americans white Americans...brown yellow or blue...We are Americans...period.
The separation is part of the problem not a solution. I worry that all that binds US as One...has been systematically and deliberately separated.
Great read. Love Michael
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020
Comment from Rikki66
I was a child in the south in the nineteen fifties and sixties, the era of Jim Crow. We didn't know what racism was for the races were segregated. Not good but a fact. For part of my youth we lived a military base in Japan it was integrated. My parents best friends were a black couple and his Hispanic couple. The things I remember most about both couples were the food I had never eaten and the music I had never heard. I saw my first photo of a naked lady in Jet magazine
I was never taught racism and I feel sorry for those that feel the hate.
RikkiLXXlll
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I was a child in the south in the nineteen fifties and sixties, the era of Jim Crow. We didn't know what racism was for the races were segregated. Not good but a fact. For part of my youth we lived a military base in Japan it was integrated. My parents best friends were a black couple and his Hispanic couple. The things I remember most about both couples were the food I had never eaten and the music I had never heard. I saw my first photo of a naked lady in Jet magazine
I was never taught racism and I feel sorry for those that feel the hate.
RikkiLXXlll
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020
Comment from nancy_e_davis
You explain the problem of racism very well and tell it like it is, it works both ways. Your brother explained the condition of the two areas in a few words. People make their own environment and choices. Well done, Lancelot. Nancy:)
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You explain the problem of racism very well and tell it like it is, it works both ways. Your brother explained the condition of the two areas in a few words. People make their own environment and choices. Well done, Lancelot. Nancy:)
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020
Comment from judiverse
This is a wonderful presentation, and it should be a winner in the "True Story Contest." You tell it clearly and it's so dramatic it sounds like fiction. The boys' hatred. It's a good thing the police came along when they did, or a real disaster might have occurred. They boys you were with were just mirroring what they had been taught, probably by their parents. You really show the hate they felt. Great point from your brother about your lawn been tidy and mowed, and does that mean that they're going to break our windows, too? I wish people could get over seeing racism everywhere and do what they can to live their lives the best way they know, instead of worrying about what others are doing. judi
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This is a wonderful presentation, and it should be a winner in the "True Story Contest." You tell it clearly and it's so dramatic it sounds like fiction. The boys' hatred. It's a good thing the police came along when they did, or a real disaster might have occurred. They boys you were with were just mirroring what they had been taught, probably by their parents. You really show the hate they felt. Great point from your brother about your lawn been tidy and mowed, and does that mean that they're going to break our windows, too? I wish people could get over seeing racism everywhere and do what they can to live their lives the best way they know, instead of worrying about what others are doing. judi
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020
Comment from mermaids
Excellent writing that teaches the reader much and also raises questions. How does racism begin? I like how in life you set out on a different path due to love of books and the library. I see no need for changes and I wish you well in the contest
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Excellent writing that teaches the reader much and also raises questions. How does racism begin? I like how in life you set out on a different path due to love of books and the library. I see no need for changes and I wish you well in the contest
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020
Comment from sibhus
I think that your story goes to prove that we are more alike than what we are willing to admit. I'm from a small town an an hour and half south of Chicago, and this story could be about me and my white buddies. We grew up on the west side, which is the poorer section of town and we were just as envious of the rich kids on the north side of town. You know the ones that went to the Catholic schools, while we were in the west side public. The west side was dirty and run down, and our dads sat a round, drank beer, and bitch about how the rich were screwing them. Not to ramble, but this was a really good story and makes a very good point, it doesn't matter what race there are always going to be the doers and the complainers.
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I think that your story goes to prove that we are more alike than what we are willing to admit. I'm from a small town an an hour and half south of Chicago, and this story could be about me and my white buddies. We grew up on the west side, which is the poorer section of town and we were just as envious of the rich kids on the north side of town. You know the ones that went to the Catholic schools, while we were in the west side public. The west side was dirty and run down, and our dads sat a round, drank beer, and bitch about how the rich were screwing them. Not to ramble, but this was a really good story and makes a very good point, it doesn't matter what race there are always going to be the doers and the complainers.
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020
Comment from humpwhistle
An excellent piece of historical memory. Fear and resentment are the two pillars of racism. Neither side wants to be 'less' than the other side.
Systematic racism is something different, though. That kind of racism is organized and based on deep history.
You're recollections of that event illustrate the tug of war young people must wage, each individually.
Best of luck.
Peace, Lee
While I looked at the big houses and fine lawns with wonder some of the guys looked on with envy and hate.--should there be a comma after 'wonder'?
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An excellent piece of historical memory. Fear and resentment are the two pillars of racism. Neither side wants to be 'less' than the other side.
Systematic racism is something different, though. That kind of racism is organized and based on deep history.
You're recollections of that event illustrate the tug of war young people must wage, each individually.
Best of luck.
Peace, Lee
While I looked at the big houses and fine lawns with wonder some of the guys looked on with envy and hate.--should there be a comma after 'wonder'?
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
This is an interesting story. To me there is relativey little racism in it. The over-riding feeling seems to be 'the grass is greener on the other side', even when it was pointed out to the narrator that there was little difference between the two, at least superficially.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
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This is an interesting story. To me there is relativey little racism in it. The over-riding feeling seems to be 'the grass is greener on the other side', even when it was pointed out to the narrator that there was little difference between the two, at least superficially.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020