DISQUS

joshua · 1 year ago

yeah man... this video rocked me. i'm white as can be (my last name is even white), but i still see it, every day.

Jay Sellers · 1 year ago

this video and this line of thinking would have helped me in high school. I was in the "minority" as a white kid at Central High in Macon, GA. I wish that I had been less programmed to see color when I was younger.

Brad Ruggles · 1 year ago

Dude, that video was awesome. I loved how he explained about calling someone a racist is actually letting them off easy and preventing you from having a constructive conversation.

Ben · 1 year ago

This is good advice when having to confront anyone about anything that they have done that is inappropriate. Especially when you are offended with someone and need to have a "get it off my chest" conversation.

If more married couples would listen to this there would be less divorce and fewer men would be sleeping on the couch!

Great video.

Laughing Momma · 1 year ago

I am a transplant from SoCal to the Deep South. I have been here 14 years, and have never been able to grasp how to seperate the what they said from what they are.
This video was an amazing insight on how to hold your ground and stand up in the face of racial comments, that are so shocking, that I usually just stand in awe of their ignorance....which translates into letting them off, and essentially giving the comment my approval.

Thanks

Crystal Renaud · 1 year ago

word.

Travis Thompson · 1 year ago

OH SO BRILLIANT!!!!

Where was this several weeks ago when I committed the "are" sin instead of the correct approach . . .

Good commentary too . . .

Stephen · 1 year ago

What a great way of addressing this. I live south of ATL and deal with this all the time. It's so true-whenever I try to point out racist words, it's always turned around as "why are you calling me a racist?!"
Anyone have a good tip on keeping control of the conversation? Like Los I always find myself trying to ignore these comments or let them slide, but they aggravate me every single time!

whittakerwoman · 1 year ago

Awesome post baby. I love when people give words to my heart. H

deliveredjude · 1 year ago

As a social worker (in training, I'll graduate in May), we are taught that "color blindness" is ok, but it should not be the end goal, and I agree with that. Carlos, while it may be good for someone to recognize you as just like them - a person created in the image of God (if their share our beliefs) - would it not be better (and ideal, I understand) for them to see you as Carlos, the Hispanic person, whom I can respect and treat just as well as someone of my own ethnicity.

See, I don't think that color blindness is really Biblical either. For example, Jesus's statement to the woman at the well was not only significant because she was a woman and in an adulterous situation, but because she was a Samaritan and he was not. The important factor, is that Christ accepted and still does accept people just as they are; not as merely human, but a person of particular ethnicity too.

God and Christ accept us just as we are, including our ethnic and cultural heritage. I think it is noble and Godly goal for us to do the same.

Great post Los, keep the realness flowin'.

Los · 1 year ago

Good thoughts Nic.
I think that if someone accepts me as Carlos the Hispanic before Carlos the human we have issues.
And again, as proud as I am of my ethnicity, I do not see my son Losiah as my Korean son, but as my son.
He will go to Korean school, he will learn of his heritige, but he will not be taught to hold that tighter than his identity in Christ.
I think I'm saying I agree with most everything you wrote.
Just want people to know that "ethnicity" is a word that will continue to dissolve as more and more marriages like mine happen.
I am of the human race and I love frijoles.
Los

Jesse Phillips · 1 year ago

How do we become just a strong community, ignoring the differences? It's tough.

I have a theory that racism is not based on color as much as it is on culture. I feel like we descriminate more on the basis of how others dress, talk, and act, more than skin color - that's why Tiger Woods was drafted by the Whites in that SNL skit and why some in the African American community think of him as a sell-out. He talks, dresses and acts "white".

These cultural differences are deeply ingrained, and I think they are what make different racial groups uncomfortable around each other and maybe fear each other - maybe for the same reason I feared the cool kids growing-up as a nerd? I think these cultural differences is why they don't hang-out together much (which perpetuates the isolation and differences of the subcultures). I really don't know though, it just seems that way.


This theory also explains why groups in different nations of the same color but different cultures (accent, dress, idioms, traditions) discriminate one another.

I'll be honest, I'm a little uncomfortable chillin with someone that has a thick "ebonics" (or what's a better word? not meaning to offend) accent as opposed to my friend Asher who has a TV accent. Although our skin colors are different, his outward appearing culture is very near to mine - dresses, talks, acts like me.

Perhaps this is racist. If so I need to fix this. But I think it's true that this is the hurdle: embracing people who talk differently, dress differently and act differently - and further - hurdling the past stereotypes of that culture.

Please, no offense Los, please, please, please. I LOVE YOU so much. I think it's interesting that you talk and dress and act less like the ethnic hispanic culture and more like the white suburban culture I'm used to.

What do you think about that? Do you think it makes you more palatable/attractive to the majority white evangelical Christians that do and follow NorthPoint? Do you think it has anything to do with your success? Just questions, I'm curious.

I love you, I love you, I love you.

deliveredjude · 1 year ago

I appreciate the feedback Carlos. I agree that Losiah should be seen as your son, and not just or only your Korean son. Hear, hear. I guess, ultimately, my point is that we should learn to value and appreciate differences...especially when they're different (and maybe even radically different) than ourselves in whatever context. I just think it'll be a much more beautiful world when we can love and accept a person regardless of their various traits rather than "in spite of" their traits whether those be cultural, life choices, skin color, etc. while still recognizing and valuing those various traits in that person.

And I completely agree that we should hold on to our identity in Christ ABOVE ALL else. Amen and amen. I know it's a message I want to understand and live out more and hope that others live out more as well. It would definitely reduce the amount of judgment and heirarchy of sin that exists in FAR too many churches and hearts. Thank you for bringing that point to light. I'm also really glad you like frijoles. I do too in my far too pale whiteness. Peace.

Ben · 1 year ago

Interesting thoughts. I think that as believers, we have to take it farther than that, though. We are all racist and selfish, by virtue of our fallen nature. And that's still not the point. The point is Jesus.

My problem with the race issue is that it doesn't seem to work both ways. If I (as a white dude) stand up and say the types of things that Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and other African American leaders constantly say about white people, and just change every instance of "white" to "black," I am immediately dubbed as a racist. But for some reason it's not racist for them to say it about me.

Worse yet, I can't disagree with an educated black man (like Obama, for example) without some segments of the society yelling "racist!" According to some, the word "socialist" means "black." No, actually, socialist means socialist. And Obama's policies are pretty doggone socialist. He wants to take money from the rich and give it to the poor. That's socialism. But I apparently can't say that without being labeled racist.

But I digress. The point is, can we as a culture stop being hyped by the media on who is more racist than whom and simply love each other? Not a chance, apart from the work of Christ in our lives. I can't even love my wife without God's grace.

So, let's all put down our stones and notice that we are no better than the ones we seek to degrade.

Elgin · 1 year ago

I love it. Being in a small/rural town, we are a 99.9% white town. There are many people who would claim not to be racist, yet many of their comments and views towards "black people" are drenched in racism.

What gets me is, if anyone around here I know starts telling me a story about someone, and this person (or any person) in the story happens to be black, they will identify it. For example, if the story was about an old white lady, they would say...

"So i was at the store, and the funniest thing happened. This old lady came up to me and gave me a hug."

But, if the old lady was black, it would go down like this:

"So, I was at the store, and the funniest thing happened. This old BLACK lady came up to me and gave me a hug."

I'm not saying that's a racist comment...but then again, does race have ANYTHING to do with the story? I'm just saying. People are people. Whether they are caucasian, hispanic, chinese, african american, or whatever.

Or the infamous "I don't have anything against THEM." statement.

UGH! THEM?! THEM?! Oh, you mean PEOPLE? Ok, good. Because if THEM meant BLACK PEOPLE, that would have been a RACIST statement.

I like people. And if I happen to not like someone, the color of their skin wouldn't even be the last thing on my mind. In fact, my skin is kind of olive... Am I a martian?

On a funny note, for some reason, a lot of my students have rumored that I'm hispanic. Do I look hispanic? It's ok if I do. I mean, I'm not hispanic. I just don't see it.

Anyways...GREAT post Los. I'm lovin' your blog. I read it every stinkin' day!

-Elgin

carie · 1 year ago

I saw this several weeks ago. It's a good video. I moved out of the South 12 years ago b/c I hated that racist environment. It's so prevalent, and no one seems to bat an eye when people drop racist comments. I have a very mixed family, and have had people say things about relatives, without realizing they are related to me b/c of our differing skin color. And then, you talk to them about it, and they only feel bad that you heard them, not that they said it in the first place. I just didn't want to be in that environment anymore. So I moved from Ky to Or. Funny thing is....I realized that while there's that level of racism there, it's actually a more *mixed* environment. Many biracial couples, friend sets, etc. Activities in the city....people of ALL races would be at them. Out here in Portland, Oregon, which is supposed to be incredibly progressive, and, yeah, I feel like there's less racism....the environments are really segregated. You see less biracial couples, friend sets, etc. Clubs seem to be either one or the other, neighborhoods, and activities tend to consist of one or the other. It's truly bizarre to me. I feel like people here socialize primarily within groups that share the same skin color. It's really odd, and not at all what I expected. And so far, I just haven't come up with any reasonable theory as to why this is.

adam · 1 year ago

good post.

i've lived in atl all my life. i'm very much white. grew up in a fairly diverse community, but racism was and is present.

i never really understood the "other side"'s point of view until i got married. my wife is not white. now i see the funny looks, i feel the stares.

this town has come a long way and still has a long way to go.

Lindsey · 1 year ago

The ethnic development theorists would argue to say that it is a good thing to identify with your ethnic background. I don't think it should be the goal to have a homogeneous community where everyone thinks alike, looks alike, and/or feels like they can't be who they are culturally. Identifying with your ethnic background isn't synonymous with not having your identity in Christ. He's the one who made you the way you are and you should be embracing it. And celebrating everyone else too.

Los · 1 year ago

@Jesse // Great thoughts.
If we lived our lives only communing with those we are "comfortable with" then we, I don't think, will get very far.
I would ask you, what makes you uncomfortable about chillin with the ebonics spittin dude?
I think if you look one step further, the answer might scare you.
Is it strictly because you have a hard time understanding them? Or is it because their dialect reminds you of something else?
And the me acting white thing, great point. Although I am a bit confused as to what ethnic Hispanic culture talks and dresses like. Unless you mean with an accent and baggy khakis and a wife beater? But yes. I speak differently when I am with you then my grandmother.
And the success you speak of...I'll let you read my email sometime. ;) I'm less welcome than you think.

@Nic // Nailed it. I think to embrace who you are is a beautiful thing. I just think it can be celebrated together. Good thoughts.

@Ben // I'm a bit confused by your comment.
It started and ended with Jesus but the middle was stuffed with what felt like heightened emotions based on political views. The post had nothing to do with politics. It had to do with culture. But to entertain your political points...
If you base what you are going to say on what some segments of society will yell, then you won't ever say a thing.
Don't worry what Al Sharpton says about you.
And it sounds like you are repeating a lot of the "media hype" you are talking about. I think if you yanked the middle of your comment out and just left it with the top and bottom of your post, then yes, Jesus is all over it.

GREAT thoughts guys. I appreciate them all. I'm learning quite a bit myself..
Los

loswhit · 1 year ago

@Lindsey. Good point.
I'm not a ethnic development theorist so I would not know that. But I'll never not be hispanic so I will always embrace it. I just won't be so proud that it comes between my daily relationships.

Ryan Fitzgerald · 1 year ago

i think we should all attend michael scott's seminar

diversity tomorrow, because today is almost over.

Toby · 1 year ago

You'll have to excuse me for my lack of understanding, but I just don't get it. I'm not naive enough to think that racism doesn't exist, but is there really a medium? I mean, it seems as if there is the KKK and then there are people like myself. I have never experienced anything in the middle of that GIANT spectrum. It's not like I live in a hole, surrounded by white people, and I didn't grow up like that. There have always been blacks, hispanics, asians, etc. around me and I can't recall a conversation or instance where anyone was treated differently than me.
I hear and read about race, race relations and racism and always have the same thought: "Thank God I don't have an experience to compare and relate to that."
I haven't always been a Christian, but I've always held theses same feelings regarding race. I understand that I can't fully understand because there haven't been instances in my life that penetrated the apparent bubble I'm living in, but I cannot help feeling sad for those who have.
I'm not closed minded at all and I have counseled many people dealing with discrimination. I see the pain on their faces and feel the despair in their hearts. I've seen the tough outer walls most try to build to avoid the hurt, but I still don't get it. My help for them always comes in the form of THEIR healing cuz you can't control what other people think. In my opinion, we focus too much on the actions of others. Help others, give to others, be a friend to others...Otherwise, if there are negative feelings, there is obviously some internal issues that need dealt with.
I don't know; maybe I'm rambling here, but the bottom line for me: God has people designated for trying to fix the societal problem of racism and some are here to help individuals. I know my role, I guess and it's possible I'm not supposed to understand the entire problem, which is good, cuz I don't.
Thanks for the thoughts Los!

Doug Holden · 1 year ago

I grew up with parents who must have been racist at some level. Never heard the "n" word, but frequently heard "the coloreds". Now in my 50's, I have friends from a variety of ethnicities, and I like to believe that my parents' subtle racism did not follow to my generation. However, if I'm honest, some kind of racist mentality was ingrained in my head as a child, all without me remembering specific incidents. I think it was all very subtle, yet very much present. Parents teach children things, sometimes with purpose, and other times without realizing it. The parents don't understand that they are always teaching, and the children often don't realize that they are always being taught. Then the children grow up and realize, hey...that thought I just had, which seemed completely normal, was really pretty racist. And when that happens to me, I find it revolting. But it happens. I wish it didn't. But I know it had to come from somewhere. In my heart, I don't feel racist. But whatever was ingrained in my head as a child will continue to manifest itself in inappropriate thoughts, probably until I die. I can only hope that in the interim, the influence I had will continue to fade. I thankfully see that with my own adult children, the remnants of racism have faded even more.

Johnny Laird · 1 year ago

Excellent vid, Los! You keep diggin' up the good stuff! Thanks for continuing to make me think....hard.

It's so so interesting to read everyone here riffing on racism - especially with my outsider's perspective, as I'm writing from the UK. A lot of good stuff, and a few bits that were slightly disturbing.

As I roll this around in my head, I'm wondering more and more if we really recognize quite how complex ethnicity and cultural identity is? They are such a rich,deep,fluid subjects... and much more fuzzy around the edges than we're sometimes willing to acknowledge.

Here's my little gumbo:

• I’m hugely proud to be a Scot (with an English accent)
• I baulk at describing myself as “British”
• I’m probably a Londoner as much as anything else
• I feel like a Celt, not an Anglo
• I am married to an English girl of Jamaican/St Lucian descent who regularly drops into patois at home
• My family is a glorious mix of the celtic, anglo and Caribbean, but when Scotland are playing football (that's soccer to most of you! ;-)...there’s only one team for us
• It's only just occurred to me that when I roll with my wife & her sister & all our kids, I'm the only white one there
• I agree with those eminent theologians at Hard Rock, and would wish to "Love All, Serve All"
• Ultimately, my identity is bound up in Jesus

Pax

J

rebeccamoon · 1 year ago

interesting conversations. i'm teaching ESOL this year in a metro-atlanta public school (95% Hispanic...3 students from Korea + 1 from Vietnam) and one thing i've noticed is how much racism and legal status is on the very forefront of the minds of my students. for example, i could tell a student he needs to wait to go to the bathroom (because we're beginning an assignment or something) and he'll immediately respond, "it's cause you're racist." or, i could ask another student to please focus and do his assignment and he'll respond "you don't like me because i'm illegal." ??? i really don't care if they're legal or not. i just find it interesting that these students (who are 14-19) assume i'm a racist because i'm white. i've even asked them before, "do you think i'd hang out with y'all all day if i was racist?" and they respond, "it doesn't matter. you're white." that being said, i feel like i have pretty good rapport with my students -- they love to come visit after school, introduce me to their families, etc. -- but i just never realized that assumptions about racism were so prominent in their minds. it's sad that society has conditioned so many of them to think that way. the only reason i took the job anyways was because i think they matter to God and i want to love them like Jesus and help them know they're valuable, even if it's only for a couple of hours a day when i'm with them. incidentally, that's the same reason i've taught white students and black students in the past. because they matter to God so they should matter to me. i've just never encountered so much blatant discussion about racism from students.

Bill Cummings · 1 year ago

Man... this line of thinking needs to be out there... in the public forum. Yes... it does seem like everyone is talking about race these days. But, so many people are afraid of having dialogue that is this honest. While we may think we are on point when we conclude that a certain person is a "racist"... it is completely counterproductive to use those words in accusation against someone.

I'm in a southern melting pot type city like with similarities to Atlanta (Raleigh) and after living here for three years it is still an adjustment from living in a northeastern city. It is much more segregated here... and the actions and words of my fellow white residents have definitely come across as racist. This video helps me reconsider how to approach those things when they happen. Gracias por compartir este vídeo...

Vicki · 1 year ago

I think everyone is waaaay to touchy nowadays. Personally, as a white person I feel (sometimes not all the time) that the coin has been flipped, and that I am somehow a bad person because I am white. I can relate to Ben on that one.

But you are right, Los, in saying that a lot of what is going on right now is a by-product of political hysteria. But more than race I think what we are experiencing now is more of a culture clash than anything. Here in Charlotte we are now undergoing what Atlanta went through 20 to 30 years ago in that we are growing rapidly and are getting a huge influx of lots of different ethnicities and cultures. The change is causing a lot of tension between the native Southerners and the newcomers. I just think EVERYONE is being too sensitive at times. This may sound like disingenuous but, honestly, my best friend growing up was African-American. We clicked on the first day of kindergarten and we graduated high school together. We now live in different towns, but I still talk to her frequently. With that said I did see my share of bigotry even from some of my own family members, but even as a child I knew it was wrong, and I made up my mind not to be that way. I now go to church here in CLT that routinely has over 30 ethnicities represented every Sunday, and I love it. My husband and I continually say, "This is what Heaven is going to look like." Do we still clash with some cultures? We do at times, but every culture and ethnicity has it's problems including mine.

bobby · 1 year ago

I grew up in SoCal. I had biracial friends. 80% of my high school was Philipino. You wouldn't know it by looking at me, but my grandma was 100% hispanic. I never really thought about racism much. When I did, we spoke theoretically. What we thought was racism was really hardly close.

Then I left high school, joined a performing group, and toured the midwest and the south. I was blown away. I seriously never knew the KKK still existed til I was in Ohio. I remember being in Louisianna and my homestay sharing that it was the first year they didn't have a segregated prom. My heart broke as I looked at the way people were treated and viewed, especially in the south.

That just to say I can imagine the difference for you from Riverside to Buckhead. Thanks for sharing your heart. And sure, people can say how we also need to be connected to our culture and everything else. OK, fine. When we can figure out how to treat everyone fairly regardless of culture, then I'll start to worry about whether or not we lost our cultures. Somehow, I doubt it will be a problem.

dewde · 1 year ago

in regards to the video.... damn. that was tight.

peace|dewde

loswhit · 1 year ago

Great conversations everyone.
It is all lined with truth and I appreciate your thoughts.
Black racism. White racism. Latino racism. Asian racism.
It will all continue to fade as long as we continue to stop comparing us and them and they said that I'm, ect.
Good stuff.

Ben · 1 year ago

I agree the post was not political, but in the context of the culture right now in the USA, the race card is being thrown all over the place in this election, so that example sprang to mind. I apologize for taking the post off-topic. Thanks to everyone who refrained from politicizing the subsequent comments.

I am the type of person that has a finely tuned "justice-meter" when it comes to dealing with others (I'll let myself slide far more often), and so it frustrates me when I see inconsistency like the Sharpton example earlier. He should not be allowed to get away with racism, and I shouldn't either.

But again I am slain by the gospel. My call for justice is drowned out by Jesus' "it is finished."

Greg · 1 year ago

A couple thoughts. I'm a white man, 33, who grew up in metro Atlanta, married to a black woman. I've seen both sides of bigotry (not to be a stickler, but we're really talking about bigotry for the most part, not racism) throughout my time here. I've seen plenty of whites say bigoted things, and plenty of blacks as well. It's funny how careful PC culture has made us.... I look at my last sentence and say "Does it seem bigoted to say 'blacks'?" Gee I hope not since I just said 'whites' :-) but I'm sure some people can take it that way.

In any case, I highly highly recommend everyone try the tests out at Project Implicit at Harvard. You will be amazed at how deeply prejudice is ingrained in us. You can intentionally be trying to be not biased and still you will likely get a biased result. Chew on that for awhile. https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/

I think it is important to realize we all have our biases, try not to act on them, and also to recognize and talk about our differences and not pretend there are no cultural differences. Cultural differences are great - I wouldn't want the whole world to be just like me. What a boring place that would be!

kf · 1 year ago

Your data suggest little to no automatic preference between European American and African American.

Pretty cool Harvard thing and i think i could have told you that about myself. We were talking about this the other day in a mtg. I fully realize there is a wide variety of folks out there, but I do get frustrated that so often the first filter people put things through are of a discriminatory and defensive nature whether it be age, sex, race, religion, etc vs expecting the best out of people and giving them the benefit of the doubt regarding the motive behind actions or words. I know I wear rose colored glasses, but i have also seen-a) you will always find what you are looking for b) when you expect the best out of people and believe in them as people, they often prove you right. Yes, many will let you down along the way and there may be some days I'm not as nice as I would like to be. But this is one of those areas I'll try to remember that mercy ALWAYS triumphs over judgement both with others and myself.
All this to say, I agree with you Carlos. I look forward to when it can just be a "strong community". A community with our identities firmly planted at the foot of the cross and we just happen to be men, women, old, young, black, white, asian, southern, northern, SEC, Pac 10, etc.
Go Vols. :)

Derrick Henslee · 1 year ago

Really like reading the comments and enjoyed the post! I really hate racism. I feel like it would die if people wouldn't perpetuate it in the media and in public forums. Not to say that it isn't very real.

I think we have a great blessing in that the United States is such a vast mix of peoples and cultures. I don't think it's okay to blend it all together and wash away the contrasts. That is what makes our country so much different than the rest of the world!

With my friends of different races, we tend to tease each other about the "cultural" characteristics of our race in an effort to make fun of it altogether. I am white, so I have no rhythm, my friend Mathias makes some mean fried chicken, Hernandez is never on time to rehearsal...etc. I love celebrating our differences and being friends with people to the point that I forget that they don't look like me....except when on mission trip to Costa Rica, and then Hernandez comes in handy with his fluent Spanish!

All that to say, I think that the racist comments vs. being a racist is a thin line. If I murder, I'm a murderer. If I steal, I'm a theif. If I lie...I'm a liar. So to make a racist comment does at the very least reveal the thoughts that we are having, whether placed there by our grandparents, Al Sharpton, or some other negative influence!

Sorry for the rant Los...

Herstorygirl · 1 year ago

So... any other Arabs in here?

I used to be boldly proud of my heritage. My friends thought it was cool, too.
And then 9-11 happened.
I think it's funny that most people see racism as purely a white/black/Hispanic thing.
I have friends who are Sikhs, Russians, and Persians and they have ALL felt the sting of discrimination.
I see ANY form of bigotry as wrong.

And I don't necessarily agree with the whole "where you were raised" rationalization because I was raised in a rural, all-white, Southern town (rampant with racism) and I have been vehemently opposed to these attitudes since I was a young child. It never made sense to me, on any level.

Perhaps we are subconsciously programmed to automatically notice someone who is very different from ourselves in appearance, but if we ever JUDGE anything about that person based on their appearance, then we have crossed a line.

If you jump to ANY conclusions about me based on appearances (my ethnicity, my social status, my income, my political preference, or even my weight), then you are equally guilty. You don't know me & you don't know my heart.
Bigotry takes ALL forms.
Racism is not the "worst" form of discrimination; it's just the least socially acceptable.

Rhi · 1 year ago

I've been dealing with this lately. Since I am biracial I've had to deal with "so what are you?" question my ENTIRE life. I've always been so annoyed with the question. Frankly, I think it's rude to ask. My usual smart answer would be HUMAN, A WOMAN, A MOTHER, etc. But, I know it'll continue to be asked of me cause it's not "obvious" and I can't help that. Here's the kicker. Since I've lived her in New Braunfels, TX....I feel suddenly VERY alone and out of place, ethnically and culturally. I've been here 3.5 months and can count on ONE hand the black folks I've seen. It bothers me. I need diversity. I need my culture around me. I'm told straight up the black community in this "old German town" is virtually non-existent. I don't know if it bothers me cause I feel alone, culturally; or if it bothers me solely cause I'm from So Cal...a place that is SO diverse you have to search hard and wide for areas of just one culture. The worst part is that I know I couldn't make this town our HOME cause I couldn't stand the thought of Izaiah being the "only black boy" in school. Geez. It's just weird for me. Maybe it's cause of the flack I caught as a young girl and being the only "mixed" one in my school....I've been telling myself that it shouldn't bother me. However, it does. I guess it's the CULTURAL differences that I notice the most...it's certainly not a skin color issue or any of that. I haven't figured out why I feel weird about it. I don't like ALL of any one culture. This is why I didn't o to a black college. I like variety in cultures I guess... any feedback for me? It's fitting that you posted about this cause I've been grappling with this for a while now.....rhi

Rhi · 1 year ago

p.s.
there is more diversity in Austin (45 min away) and San Antonio (30 min away)... It's just THIS town is very bi-racial itself... white and mexican. I have yet to see more than one Asian even...Should I feel weird about this or am I too sensitive?

portorikan · 1 year ago

@Rhi:

I don't know about San Antonio being more diverse. There's certainly a bit of racism there towards Blacks from, of all people, the Mexican heritage community from when I lived there. Not a whole lot of Black folks though. At least not compared to where I grew up, which is ironic (Tallahassee, Fl).

I will say that I do love that water park though Rhi.
Austin is probably the best city in Texas. :)

Anyway, back in Tally. Racism trips me out and I just wanted to share I had a similar experience as Carlos. Somehow, this Puerto Rican kid who people thought initially was 'light-skinned' or mixed was ok to tell racist jokes or say racist things. Totally befuddled me.

Kari Byrd · 1 year ago

I wish there was more of a general posture of extreme grace and humility when it comes to trying to understand people who have experienced discrimination, and the anger and frustration that goes along with it. I wonder if there would be less segregation, especially in our churches, if there were more honest attempts at acknowledging the challenges (now and throughout history) of being a racial minority in America. I believe the posture of defensiveness stands in the way of reconciliation, healing, and unity.

Rhi · 1 year ago

Wanna hear something crazy. As "light" as I am, I've had quite a few racial slurs and racially driven discrimination.It just makes me sad....

Brad Metzger · 1 year ago

Are blacks and other people of color ever guilty of racism? Just askin' because it's never discussed.

A lot of people divorce themselves from this topic because it's such an blatant double standard. It's difficult to care when one group is held to an impossibly high standard and other groups are held to no standard at all. OK the internets just got way too serious right there so I'm gonna end with this:

Don't even think of calling me racist 'cuz I've got two black friends, and another Panamanian.

Brad Metzger · 1 year ago

Are blacks and other people of color ever guilty of racism? Just askin' because it's never discussed.

A lot of people divorce themselves from this topic because it's such a blatant double standard. It's difficult to care when one group is held to an impossibly high standard and other groups are held to no standard at all. OK the internets just got way too serious right there so I'm gonna end with this:

Don't even think of calling me racist 'cuz I've got two black friends, and another Panamanian.