Understanding Racism
The beginnings of wisdom31 total reviews
Comment from Bobby Cunningham
If anyone can identify with this story than we can. We're an interracial couple living in the heart of the hood at Mitchell Moore park in Pompano Beach FL. This truly captivated us throughout, our eyes and brains were eagerly pursuing every line. Best of luck in the contest. Have a wonderful night.
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If anyone can identify with this story than we can. We're an interracial couple living in the heart of the hood at Mitchell Moore park in Pompano Beach FL. This truly captivated us throughout, our eyes and brains were eagerly pursuing every line. Best of luck in the contest. Have a wonderful night.
Comment Written 20-Jul-2020
Comment from Ulla
You are posing so many questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. I'm white, I've grown up in Europe, although I've found out I'm half American. And I have been to America a lot for many other reasons throughout my life. Not only holidays, but mostly work and also family visits. So that's the authority behind what I'm going to say next:
Yes. A lot of white people are biased against the black and that has created hatred. So the black ends up being biased as well, which creates even more hatred. A sad state of affairs.
Why can't we just learn to accept each others differences and live peacefully with it? It's beyond me. Why on earth does colour, that being black, yellow, red or white, come into it? We are all humans and made up of the same mold.
I liked your story a lot. Thanks for sharing. Ulla:)))
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You are posing so many questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. I'm white, I've grown up in Europe, although I've found out I'm half American. And I have been to America a lot for many other reasons throughout my life. Not only holidays, but mostly work and also family visits. So that's the authority behind what I'm going to say next:
Yes. A lot of white people are biased against the black and that has created hatred. So the black ends up being biased as well, which creates even more hatred. A sad state of affairs.
Why can't we just learn to accept each others differences and live peacefully with it? It's beyond me. Why on earth does colour, that being black, yellow, red or white, come into it? We are all humans and made up of the same mold.
I liked your story a lot. Thanks for sharing. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 20-Jul-2020
Comment from Carlos' girl
Really thought provoking and well written. I felt like I was there in Oak Park on that lawn with you, and later in that room with your brother.
I grew up in East St Louis, Illinois where racial issues were common. We as kids witnessed alot.
Your work brought up some memories.
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Really thought provoking and well written. I felt like I was there in Oak Park on that lawn with you, and later in that room with your brother.
I grew up in East St Louis, Illinois where racial issues were common. We as kids witnessed alot.
Your work brought up some memories.
Comment Written 20-Jul-2020
Comment from WalkerMan
Your autobiographical true story about "racism" makes it clear that envy and consequent resentment are major factors in it. Skin color is not relevant to that unless it is taught to children at an early age, whether at home, in school, or through entertainment media (TV programs, movies, video games, music, etc.).
I grew up in a household that lacked prejudice at a time when it was rampant. My father taught me that a person should be assessed on his or her actions and whether his or her words were validated by such actions -- NOT by external appearance, heritage, social status, or religion. His own actions fit his words throughout his life.
Today, particularly in public schools, children, especially Black kids, are taught NOT to aspire to excel, NOT to think critically, NOT to work hard, NOT to examine alternate opinions amicably, and NOT to be responsible for their own words and deeds, but rather to expect to be isolated from other viewpoints and depend on government to hand out whatever they don't have but want. This is the sin of promoting low expectations.
America was founded on the principle of equality of opportunity -- NOT equality of outcome, as the latter is a myth impossible to achieve because there are so many variables in life that not even identical twins have "equal" results in all aspects of their lives. Thus, anyone pushing the notion that government can create equality of outcome intends to achieve that by bringing everyone down to serfdom, while the "leaders" live elsewhere in luxury.
What separated you from the other kids that day was that you were thinking critically, while they were acting only on emotion. Your wise brother's few words were based on how your parents raised both of you. If you were not an independent thinker, you would not have spent time in the library, where you found the truth you needed to know.
Derogatory words and phrases like "racist" and "white privilege" are intended to divide us because the Globalist haters of freedom know that the United States is their strongest enemy, and we can be brought down only from within. It is good to know you and other clear thinkers see the danger and stand against it.
Thank you for posting this thought-provoking true story. Superb.
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Your autobiographical true story about "racism" makes it clear that envy and consequent resentment are major factors in it. Skin color is not relevant to that unless it is taught to children at an early age, whether at home, in school, or through entertainment media (TV programs, movies, video games, music, etc.).
I grew up in a household that lacked prejudice at a time when it was rampant. My father taught me that a person should be assessed on his or her actions and whether his or her words were validated by such actions -- NOT by external appearance, heritage, social status, or religion. His own actions fit his words throughout his life.
Today, particularly in public schools, children, especially Black kids, are taught NOT to aspire to excel, NOT to think critically, NOT to work hard, NOT to examine alternate opinions amicably, and NOT to be responsible for their own words and deeds, but rather to expect to be isolated from other viewpoints and depend on government to hand out whatever they don't have but want. This is the sin of promoting low expectations.
America was founded on the principle of equality of opportunity -- NOT equality of outcome, as the latter is a myth impossible to achieve because there are so many variables in life that not even identical twins have "equal" results in all aspects of their lives. Thus, anyone pushing the notion that government can create equality of outcome intends to achieve that by bringing everyone down to serfdom, while the "leaders" live elsewhere in luxury.
What separated you from the other kids that day was that you were thinking critically, while they were acting only on emotion. Your wise brother's few words were based on how your parents raised both of you. If you were not an independent thinker, you would not have spent time in the library, where you found the truth you needed to know.
Derogatory words and phrases like "racist" and "white privilege" are intended to divide us because the Globalist haters of freedom know that the United States is their strongest enemy, and we can be brought down only from within. It is good to know you and other clear thinkers see the danger and stand against it.
Thank you for posting this thought-provoking true story. Superb.
Comment Written 20-Jul-2020
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Compelling, challenging, controversial--a powerhouse of a piece. Apt remark in the footnote re the nature of racism--this is profoundly thought-provoking. Well done! Cheers. LIZ
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Compelling, challenging, controversial--a powerhouse of a piece. Apt remark in the footnote re the nature of racism--this is profoundly thought-provoking. Well done! Cheers. LIZ
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Hello lancellot.
This is an exceptional piece of writing in style and content. The story narrative and dialogue are well constructed and the meaning is plainly expressed.
I appreciate the writing skill in this piece. Well Done, and good luck in the contest.
Robert
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Hello lancellot.
This is an exceptional piece of writing in style and content. The story narrative and dialogue are well constructed and the meaning is plainly expressed.
I appreciate the writing skill in this piece. Well Done, and good luck in the contest.
Robert
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020
Comment from l.raven
HI Lance, I was born in Oak Park,Ill...many years ago before you...my grandparents were well to do...they were good friends of Al Capone...and my Uncle Bud was one of his drivers...Gramps was a big gambler...so was Capone...
I do know the streets were divided...and racism was everywhere...and yes we were raised to be racist...I think
years ago it was just in that generation...and it carried over to the next...
I do believe this Lance...not everyone stayed that way...as each generation came along...more people strayed away from it...more and more people married out of color...
my father was racist...we moved to Florida when we were kids...my parents bought a place...where you took the dirt road to get to the dirt road...there was one family at the front of the road that was black...Mr.Brown...he was a pastor...at a young age his wife die...and he raised 3 sons alone...
now my father spend our younger years trying to keep us away from black people...I had black girlfriend in my choir class... Lisa..we were good friends...and when we were together...I was afraid my dad would find out...
know one knows what happen to pop...he was a good man at heart... he became friends with Mr.Brown and his boys...when pop grew his garden...he would take big bags of tomatoes...and greens to him...and when he went fishing...he took full strings of fish to him...even gave him a bull once...free...they would talk for hours sitting in front of Mr.Browns house...pop had a big respect for Mr.Brown...my father was a big family man...and so was Mr.Brown...for me...I think he was the best person to come into my fathers life...Dad believed in God...and Mr.Brown I think helped my dad find his way...I do know my fathers....father...was very racist...it just took Mr.Brown to show my dad that....his dad was wrong...it's not about color...and I think people of all colors have come a long way from what once was...there's a lot of wonderful caring people in the world...should be no room for hate....your story is very well told...very interesting to read...very well written...love Linda xxoo
I have lived in Illinois 47 years now....
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HI Lance, I was born in Oak Park,Ill...many years ago before you...my grandparents were well to do...they were good friends of Al Capone...and my Uncle Bud was one of his drivers...Gramps was a big gambler...so was Capone...
I do know the streets were divided...and racism was everywhere...and yes we were raised to be racist...I think
years ago it was just in that generation...and it carried over to the next...
I do believe this Lance...not everyone stayed that way...as each generation came along...more people strayed away from it...more and more people married out of color...
my father was racist...we moved to Florida when we were kids...my parents bought a place...where you took the dirt road to get to the dirt road...there was one family at the front of the road that was black...Mr.Brown...he was a pastor...at a young age his wife die...and he raised 3 sons alone...
now my father spend our younger years trying to keep us away from black people...I had black girlfriend in my choir class... Lisa..we were good friends...and when we were together...I was afraid my dad would find out...
know one knows what happen to pop...he was a good man at heart... he became friends with Mr.Brown and his boys...when pop grew his garden...he would take big bags of tomatoes...and greens to him...and when he went fishing...he took full strings of fish to him...even gave him a bull once...free...they would talk for hours sitting in front of Mr.Browns house...pop had a big respect for Mr.Brown...my father was a big family man...and so was Mr.Brown...for me...I think he was the best person to come into my fathers life...Dad believed in God...and Mr.Brown I think helped my dad find his way...I do know my fathers....father...was very racist...it just took Mr.Brown to show my dad that....his dad was wrong...it's not about color...and I think people of all colors have come a long way from what once was...there's a lot of wonderful caring people in the world...should be no room for hate....your story is very well told...very interesting to read...very well written...love Linda xxoo
I have lived in Illinois 47 years now....
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020
Comment from Earl Corp
I think you hit it on the head, the word racism is thrown around way too much for things that displease us. When I was in a sociology class in 1992 racism was defined as having pride in one's own race. Words such as bigotry a prejudice are more suited for what you described. When people act on prejudice it's discrimination. I think you were angling at this in your story. Good luck in the contest.
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I think you hit it on the head, the word racism is thrown around way too much for things that displease us. When I was in a sociology class in 1992 racism was defined as having pride in one's own race. Words such as bigotry a prejudice are more suited for what you described. When people act on prejudice it's discrimination. I think you were angling at this in your story. Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
I can understand the angst the boys felt in this informative story. I believe that to be true of any group that feels left out of the mainstream or what they view as having better than them. I believe the boys were impressionable--esp when together in what they saw and felt. I also believe that circumstances change--sometimes for the better, sometimes not. For one to rise above what s/he felt before, which was a deep concern for her/him, shows maturity. Thanks for sharing.
Respectfully, Jan
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I can understand the angst the boys felt in this informative story. I believe that to be true of any group that feels left out of the mainstream or what they view as having better than them. I believe the boys were impressionable--esp when together in what they saw and felt. I also believe that circumstances change--sometimes for the better, sometimes not. For one to rise above what s/he felt before, which was a deep concern for her/him, shows maturity. Thanks for sharing.
Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Racism is in everyone until we learn more about who WE all are. The whites are racist against the black people and the black are racist against whites, but everyone would deny it. Until we' can all, as members of the human race, learn to respect each other, who are all God's children, until we can do that, there really isn't much hope of change. I really liked the way you told your story, and how you eventually understood what your brother was explaining to you. Your brother was a really wise man. I wish there were more like him on both sides of the road. Well done, and good luck in the contest. :)) Sandra xx
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Racism is in everyone until we learn more about who WE all are. The whites are racist against the black people and the black are racist against whites, but everyone would deny it. Until we' can all, as members of the human race, learn to respect each other, who are all God's children, until we can do that, there really isn't much hope of change. I really liked the way you told your story, and how you eventually understood what your brother was explaining to you. Your brother was a really wise man. I wish there were more like him on both sides of the road. Well done, and good luck in the contest. :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 19-Jul-2020