We've had a week of peaceful protests as well as terrible rioting around the country after the killing of George Floyd so soon after that horrible video of Amy Cooper saying she would be calling the police because an "African American man" was threatening her. He was a bird watcher asking her to leash her dog as the sign posted in Central Park stated.
In a time of COVID-19, tensions are already high with the nation angrily glaring politically between Democrats and Republicans.
And into this climate are all the cases popping up of violence against African Americans.
I think it's hard to understand prejudice unless you've experienced it yourself. I grew up in Hawaii where I was part of the majority. I didn't understand what it was all about until I met a black student in the University of Hawaii dormitory. What she told us seemed like another country, another world. We'd heard about it in the news, of course, but to hear someone you know tell you of her experience... it was startling.
Years later, after I married and we moved to Chicago and returned to teaching we were driving out of a parking lot when a trio of mothers pushing strollers yelled into our window, " Lousy Chinks!"
I can't explain the horrible anger I felt. I wanted Art to turn the car around so I could voice my displeasure and instruct them that their destructive hatred would be taught to their babies.
I didn't, of course, but I seethed with the most awful rage. When I was back at work, I mentioned what happened to several black teacher friends. They all hugged me and welcomed me to their sisterhood of understanding. I then heard what they'd been going through...how shop owners would follow them around stores...how some people would cross the street to avoid going pass them.
What I experienced was but an infinitesimal look at what African Americans face everyday their whole lives.
The rioting and looting is obviously terrible and wrong. But the anger, I understand. The need to protest, I understand. Trump has so far not helped the situation with his looting and shooting remark. I was glad to see that former president Obama had a more constructive comment yesterday saying that real change had to come at the ballot box. People need to vote in leaders (judges, local enforcement officials) who would make the needed changes.
So here we are again...
Back into the last century... fighting the fight again.
In a time of COVID-19, tensions are already high with the nation angrily glaring politically between Democrats and Republicans.
I think it's hard to understand prejudice unless you've experienced it yourself. I grew up in Hawaii where I was part of the majority. I didn't understand what it was all about until I met a black student in the University of Hawaii dormitory. What she told us seemed like another country, another world. We'd heard about it in the news, of course, but to hear someone you know tell you of her experience... it was startling.
Years later, after I married and we moved to Chicago and returned to teaching we were driving out of a parking lot when a trio of mothers pushing strollers yelled into our window, " Lousy Chinks!"
I can't explain the horrible anger I felt. I wanted Art to turn the car around so I could voice my displeasure and instruct them that their destructive hatred would be taught to their babies.
I didn't, of course, but I seethed with the most awful rage. When I was back at work, I mentioned what happened to several black teacher friends. They all hugged me and welcomed me to their sisterhood of understanding. I then heard what they'd been going through...how shop owners would follow them around stores...how some people would cross the street to avoid going pass them.
What I experienced was but an infinitesimal look at what African Americans face everyday their whole lives.
The rioting and looting is obviously terrible and wrong. But the anger, I understand. The need to protest, I understand. Trump has so far not helped the situation with his looting and shooting remark. I was glad to see that former president Obama had a more constructive comment yesterday saying that real change had to come at the ballot box. People need to vote in leaders (judges, local enforcement officials) who would make the needed changes.
So here we are again...
Back into the last century... fighting the fight again.
Kay, what a poignant statement of support for what is happening. And I agree I feel like we have not learned anything, that we are no better than South Africa was under apartheid. And I lay fault on the man holding the title of President but who has no knowledge how to be the President. I too read Obama's message on Instagram yesterday and I was given hope for saner voices to prevail. There were also two editorials in the Washington Post yesterday calling on Republicans to denounce tRump and support Biden. I don't know that will make a difference because those senators who voted against convicting sold their souls to the devil.
ReplyDeleteThat is true, Marcia. The Republican party seems to support Trunp no matter how offensive he is instead of removing him from office. We will need to do that at the ballot box. he had hoped to win the black vote but now after yesterday I will be extremely surprised if any black person or any minority would support him.
DeleteIt is difficult for me to know what to write or say, so I am glad that others, like you, can contribute better.
ReplyDeleteKay thanks for addressing this so openly I think you would be moved watching this Andrew Cuomo video he is presidential material
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/1CsyZ2o-mXY
Kay this one brings you to tears as well
Deletehttps://www.instagram.com/tv/CA04jjVjvmQ/?igshid=1inr5wcnlihs2
I was turning off the news because I was just so tired on hearing pandemic but now I have to turn the news off because I can't see through the tears. Whether we are aware or not, prejudice wounds us all. I hope your beautiful post opens hearts.
ReplyDeleteOn a different note, I agree with Christine, above. I have actually been entertaining the fantasy that Cuomo will be thrust forward. Actually, I have been actively putting that out to the universe.
WE DON'T seem to learn from the past. Members of our church of jesus christ of latter-day saints were driven out of missouri by mobs and finally nauvoo illinois leaving their homes to travel in covered wagons to utah area. mobs uncontrolled are scarey and lead to unleashed violence against society. it's a scary world out there...only love and forgiveness, accepatance of differences and dialogue will solve this world problem that continues...
ReplyDeleteI absolutely understand the anger. Since forces of chaos and destruction are co-opting the righteous anger, I think it's time for the protesters to redirect their energy and effort into more effective action. Our area is now under constant threat of vandalism by extremist groups, gangs, and wandering marauders. This hurts the movement of Black Lives Matter. It's time for more community organizing and political action.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this thoughtful post, Kay.
I hear you. It's a terrible time. We must understand.
ReplyDeleteThe white Miami Sheriff took a knee, as did another police force. Racism is so entrenched in them. To get through I have to read and understand and watch, and bear witness.
Growing up in Hawaii, we were the majority and did not suffer any prejudice against us. We talked about the other races and they talked about us - all in good fun, which Mainland people could not understand how we could make fun of each other. On my very first trip to the Mainland I encountered discrimination while shopping in Los Angeles. I was waiting in line to pay and the sales ignored me and took care of others, as if I was beneath her. I couldn't believe it.
ReplyDeleteI feel for the Black people - to be judged and condemned because of their color, far worse than how I was treated in a store in L.A. If only we were all color blind, and rather than the color of their skin/hair/etc. we see the person and give everyone a chance to be a friend.
Kay I'm very sorry you had to experience such ugly prejudice, I'm just shocked we're dealing with this level of it in 2020. I remember when Obama was elected president in 2008, there was a giant celebration in downtown Pittsburgh. A quarter million people, all colors, all cheering & excited. I really thought we were finally putting racism behind us, I was so damn naive :(
ReplyDeleteOh, Kay, I am so so sorry you encountered such evil prejudice. I am heartbroken for all that still exists and the horrible things that happen. I don't know what to say. I am just weeping all the time. And we have NO leadership from our Impotus. I pray that things improve. But hearts need to be changed as well as minds and how will that happen? I wish I knew.
ReplyDeleteUnderstanding how others feel help us to change things. I just posted this on another blog:
ReplyDeleteHave you ever worked with traumatized children? Their anger and frustration often find a vent in explosive behavior--throwing things, kicking things, screaming. I've seen children tear things off of the wall. So, some of the behavior we are seeing comes from pent up trauma and seeing no way through and out.
We have treated people so badly for so long that the pent-up frustration has to come out somewhere. Even now, with the pandemic and economic collapse, we don't see the people of color screaming to open up the restaurants and stores. These are the people who are suffering the most in this pandemic, and yet the privileged white people want their life to go on as if there is no virus.
Excellent post Kay that sends a message so many need to hear. I am so sorry you had that experience. I too was hoping we had come a long ways but we have barely budged and thanks to our leader, some are even backsliding or at least feel it is perfectly fine to openly abuse another race or religion. One thing that has given me hope is that among the peaceful demonstrators, there are a lot of young, white teens and college age kids. Maybe this next generation can do what we couldn't.
ReplyDeleteKay, what a horrid experience. I hope Hawaii stays peaceful so the rest of the world can learn.
ReplyDelete(A Vietnamese pre-school teacher for my son, and her sons, ended up in the same Cub Scout pack at a local church. My Caucasian son was SO mad that other boys in the pack called his Vietnamese friends "China guys." He tried to correct them; he tried to get the adult leaders to educate the pack, to no avail.)
(Of course, these are the same leaders who told my son to tell his teacher to stop giving so much homework, when a homework assignment became priority over a pack meeting....)
My son and his friends moved to other Cub Scout packs....amazing how youngsters know when some adults are doing stupid things.
I hope the world can learn to treat others correctly. It's scarier to go out now, beyond wearing masks from the virus.
Linda in "bleeding" Kansas, long since Quantrill's raid during the Civil War.
I see the superficial behavior of people around me her in the mid-Atlantic. I know there is another America. I hate it and I can only hope that not many more will die to return us to a true democracy.
ReplyDeleteYour last sentence? I don't think the fighting has ever been over.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if we have ever been a true democracy. The pent-up anger has been released and I don't think we can get this back into the bottle again. I just hope that some good will come out of all this, even if it takes years. The young people don't have the same prejudices that their parents and grandparents have. Perhaps one day it will die out. I'm praying to God that love will win out. As Martin Luther King said, "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kay.
ReplyDeleteHi Kay, This is mary from washington state...I just don't get any kind of hateful words and actions..I have had friends who are from Hawaii tell me about living in Hawaii and I was stunned..When living in california for many years I witnessed hatred first hand and was stunned I was not silent whatsoever and it cost me two jobs but I could not work for hateful people and learned to watch how people acted just not their words..Our only is in NYC and we talk a lot, it is not a good time to live in that city but our only says Andrew Cuomo is calm and collected..I know that since the 60's and protests the world has not gotten better against hate and disparity..In fact it has gotten in my opinion more hateful all the more to practice mindfulness and peaceful actions..I hope your week will be better, keep smiling and peace and love sent to you and art and your mom and family each and everyday..
ReplyDeleteThe prejudices are always there, just below the surface and people like Trump speak - or tweet - without thought and inflame matters. It takes just 5 seconds to render someone unconscious by pressing on their neck/throat. I hope the police officers - a disgrace to their service - are put away for a very long time. Sadly, though, that probably won't happen. USA is in a worse mess than UK, politically. Trump is awful and Biden might win if he's able to keep his mouth shut - as one of our papers put it, he has 'foot-in-mouth' disease!
ReplyDeleteSomething big is happening! So sorry for your horrible experiences, dear
ReplyDelete