I had a really interesting conversation with an old friend last night. In the process, I discovered we have extremely different outlooks in life even though the energies we actually choose to be are quite similar. He sees racism in the United States as an extreme that is pervasive in our society. For him, it is as though most people are racist. In my view of the world, most people are not racist. Does racism exist? Of course it does!!! I just don't see it as the common mentality that my friend believes it is. Why do we see things so differently? What could be the cause of our difference in perspective?
I can tell you why I don't see racism as a big problem. My early years were spent in Dayton, Ohio. In the 70's, the Dayton Public School system decided they needed to integrate their schools. This created a lot of "white flight" out of the school system--either through moving out of district or enrolling in private school. Once the dust settled, I went from a school that was almost all white to 2/3 black. It did not bother me. I was up for meeting and getting to know people who were different from myself.
This was by far a very positive experience for me. I learned so much and made some really incredible new friends. However, I also learned something about racism. In the early days of my new school, I made a new black friend named Nora. We got along well and enjoyed hanging out at school. Then one day a few weeks into the school year, Nora came to school and told me her mother told her not to be my friend because I was white. It made me sad, and it also made me aware that prejudice could go both ways.
When I moved to South Carolina in high school, I thought I knew what to expect. I truly expected there to be great separations between whites and blacks--obvious racism. What I saw did not meet my expectations. Even though the majority of my school was white, I can't recall any racial tension. I had black friends in my classes. White and black athletes hung out together. There were always black girls voted into the school pageant and as cheerleaders. The tension and separation I expected to see and feel was just not there.
I went to college in Iowa and then lived there a total of twelve years. Even though Ames, the area I spent most of that time in, and Iowa State University were thought of as open to other cultures because they had allowed George Washington Carver to attend university there, I actually found more racism in Iowa than in any other place I had lived. I would hear other white people talk about black people and their culture and avoid them. Of course, I met many people in Iowa (not university types) who had almost never even been out of state. As there are not many black people in Iowa, Iowans don't have much of a chance to get to know people different from themselves.
My experiences here in Georgia have been very positive regarding racism. I not only have many black friends, but I have made friends of people from pretty much all cultures, all religions, and all races. I very rarely come into contact with people who truly dislike people different from themselves. I admit, when I feel that energy I tend to do what I can to get away from it. It literally repels me.
And maybe that's the difference between myself and my friend. I seem to end up in places that put me into contact with people very similar to myself--not similar race but similar love energy. People who are open to relationship and seek out love.
On those occasions when I come into contact with racism, I do what I can to show them another way to function. I don't call them out on it and tell them how horrible it is. I look at their hurt and do what I can to try to heal it. Racism is the result of unhealed fear, anger and pain.
Ultimately, what I have experienced in my life is a reflection of how I believe others are going to respond to me. Hopefully, I can share that with all those I come into contact with.
~CSE
I can tell you why I don't see racism as a big problem. My early years were spent in Dayton, Ohio. In the 70's, the Dayton Public School system decided they needed to integrate their schools. This created a lot of "white flight" out of the school system--either through moving out of district or enrolling in private school. Once the dust settled, I went from a school that was almost all white to 2/3 black. It did not bother me. I was up for meeting and getting to know people who were different from myself.
This was by far a very positive experience for me. I learned so much and made some really incredible new friends. However, I also learned something about racism. In the early days of my new school, I made a new black friend named Nora. We got along well and enjoyed hanging out at school. Then one day a few weeks into the school year, Nora came to school and told me her mother told her not to be my friend because I was white. It made me sad, and it also made me aware that prejudice could go both ways.
When I moved to South Carolina in high school, I thought I knew what to expect. I truly expected there to be great separations between whites and blacks--obvious racism. What I saw did not meet my expectations. Even though the majority of my school was white, I can't recall any racial tension. I had black friends in my classes. White and black athletes hung out together. There were always black girls voted into the school pageant and as cheerleaders. The tension and separation I expected to see and feel was just not there.
I went to college in Iowa and then lived there a total of twelve years. Even though Ames, the area I spent most of that time in, and Iowa State University were thought of as open to other cultures because they had allowed George Washington Carver to attend university there, I actually found more racism in Iowa than in any other place I had lived. I would hear other white people talk about black people and their culture and avoid them. Of course, I met many people in Iowa (not university types) who had almost never even been out of state. As there are not many black people in Iowa, Iowans don't have much of a chance to get to know people different from themselves.
My experiences here in Georgia have been very positive regarding racism. I not only have many black friends, but I have made friends of people from pretty much all cultures, all religions, and all races. I very rarely come into contact with people who truly dislike people different from themselves. I admit, when I feel that energy I tend to do what I can to get away from it. It literally repels me.
And maybe that's the difference between myself and my friend. I seem to end up in places that put me into contact with people very similar to myself--not similar race but similar love energy. People who are open to relationship and seek out love.
On those occasions when I come into contact with racism, I do what I can to show them another way to function. I don't call them out on it and tell them how horrible it is. I look at their hurt and do what I can to try to heal it. Racism is the result of unhealed fear, anger and pain.
Ultimately, what I have experienced in my life is a reflection of how I believe others are going to respond to me. Hopefully, I can share that with all those I come into contact with.
~CSE
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