QOTW!
(Question Of The Week)
I'm sure we've all heard about Trayvon Martin's killing, which is absolutely horrible. It just makes me extremely upset because this could be any of us, from any racial stereotype. Whether you are Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, Middle eastern, , etc there will always be people who are too ignorant, racist towards you. It's totally wrong to judge someone like George Zimmerman did with Trayvon, just because of his appearance. and yea we all might say, "oh I know that, or believe that" but what are we really doing to change that perspective? What are we teaching the younger generations to come? Are we standing up for it when we see it? Most likely not. and I am definitely not implying that I'm perfect in that sense either. But what I do know is that I have a clean heart towards anyone, regardless of what racial background they come from. When I get into arguments with a specific person associated with that background, I never judge everyone else as the same. I do stand up for things when I see it, and would never ever teach my future kids to think a certain way about a race. I've been contemplating writing about the topic of racism/hatred for a while now, but I have so much to say about it, and just didn't know where to start.
Being a Muslim woman, I've experienced plenty of racism towards me as well, no doubt. I still remember how differently I was treated since DAY ONE of when I started to wear my Hijab, which was about 2-3 years ago. I remember how everyone looked at me differently while riding the train, or while walking down the street, especially after 9/11. I've had several racial phrases thrown at me, "terrorist", "go back to your own country", "go hide your face somewhere" "go home and be abused by your husband" blah blah the list goes on! My family members get treated like this as well, when going to hospitals for example not only once but twice, being seated while everyone in the whole waiting area got called-seen-and went home (regardless of whether they arrived before or after my parents) and my parents still sat there waiting! I could go on forever and give one example after another.
My point is, there will always be someone who will treat you negatively because of your race, but you can't let that get to you or try and take revenge for it. If there is change within yourself, of our views towards other races, only then will there be changes in the rest of the world. It all starts with one individual who then influences those around them by his/her actions.
My question to you is, what experiences have you had with racism? and if there was one thing that you would want everyone to know about this, what would it be?
I'm sure we've all heard about Trayvon Martin's killing, which is absolutely horrible. It just makes me extremely upset because this could be any of us, from any racial stereotype. Whether you are Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, Middle eastern, , etc there will always be people who are too ignorant, racist towards you. It's totally wrong to judge someone like George Zimmerman did with Trayvon, just because of his appearance. and yea we all might say, "oh I know that, or believe that" but what are we really doing to change that perspective? What are we teaching the younger generations to come? Are we standing up for it when we see it? Most likely not. and I am definitely not implying that I'm perfect in that sense either. But what I do know is that I have a clean heart towards anyone, regardless of what racial background they come from. When I get into arguments with a specific person associated with that background, I never judge everyone else as the same. I do stand up for things when I see it, and would never ever teach my future kids to think a certain way about a race. I've been contemplating writing about the topic of racism/hatred for a while now, but I have so much to say about it, and just didn't know where to start.
Being a Muslim woman, I've experienced plenty of racism towards me as well, no doubt. I still remember how differently I was treated since DAY ONE of when I started to wear my Hijab, which was about 2-3 years ago. I remember how everyone looked at me differently while riding the train, or while walking down the street, especially after 9/11. I've had several racial phrases thrown at me, "terrorist", "go back to your own country", "go hide your face somewhere" "go home and be abused by your husband" blah blah the list goes on! My family members get treated like this as well, when going to hospitals for example not only once but twice, being seated while everyone in the whole waiting area got called-seen-and went home (regardless of whether they arrived before or after my parents) and my parents still sat there waiting! I could go on forever and give one example after another.
My point is, there will always be someone who will treat you negatively because of your race, but you can't let that get to you or try and take revenge for it. If there is change within yourself, of our views towards other races, only then will there be changes in the rest of the world. It all starts with one individual who then influences those around them by his/her actions.
My question to you is, what experiences have you had with racism? and if there was one thing that you would want everyone to know about this, what would it be?
what's sad is when u expect racism from certain groups! lol I grew up in a "city" of 250,000 ppl and while I never experienced BLATANT racism it was ALWAYS subtle when I did. This occurred mostly with white people.In a store, I might get watched closely, people being "surprised at how intelligent I am and how well I speak", etc.
ReplyDeleteWhat has made me upset the most is when Latinos discriminate against me. It has happened here in KY too b/c we have a growing Latino population(primarily Mexicans and Central Americas) but sadly mostly in NYC. I don't necessarily "look" Latina (mixed with) and no one ever bothers to think I might actually speak Spanish or not just be another "negra". I have heard store clerks talk about me RIGHT in front of me. It pissed me off more than anything. What I did do was cuss them out or say something in Spanish like "before u talk about someone, make sure they don't speak the same language as u".
Recently, there is a Mexican bakery near my work that I go to and an older Mexican lady who works there just doesn't seem to like black people. EVERY time I come in there if she is working she gives me the eye and NEVER speaks to me in Spanish. She just assumes I'm a regular ol black american who speaks NO Spanish. Of course she doesn't know I understand everything her and the other patrons discuss! I'm so tired of the ignorance.When does it end?
wow, really? more in NYC? I wouldve thought the opposite since its more diverse here. and thnx for sharing.. I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes shop owners talk so rude to you and stare you down like theyre ready to catch you stealing or something! smh. sadly I dont think this ignorance will ever end. It only keeps getting worse and I see it so much in YOUNG children also.
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