To Change America and Become Anti-Racist

On top of COVID-19, a black man, George Floyd, was murdered by a white police officer who kneeled on Mr. Floyd’s neck until he died. Mr. Floyd kept repeating that he couldn’t breathe but the officer knelt there, as he would on the neck of deer that he had just shot, waiting for it to die. The police office was arrested the next day. Mr. Floyd was a career criminal. He was in and out of prison for his adult life. He was NOT a hero or, some may argue, a good person. He was, however, a human being. His death was unnecessary. He was NOT resisting arrest.

Mr. Floyd’s death caused protests and demonstrations. A lot of them! Across the USA and the world. Unfortunately, some of the protests and demonstrations turned to rioting and looting. That is a different subject for another time.

There is one good thing coming out of Mr. Floyd’s death – whites and blacks are now talking about racism. There are many uncomfortable conversations happening about racism. The only way that we can change it is to talk about it.

I grew up in a neighborhood that was predominantly black. Those of us who weren’t were primarily Jewish. My best friend through elementary school was black. Her father was the scariest man I’ve ever met. He scared and intimidated me every time that I saw him. He demanded we speak to him with, “Yes, sir.” etc. He didn’t like children who spoke unless spoken to first.

I used to watch as my friend’s mother used a hot comb to straighten her hair. I’d watch as she would have her hair greased. Sometimes I went with her to the beauty parlor where I was called, “The White Girl” because I was the only one for blocks and blocks. I don’t think that they ever learned my name.

I grew up just outside the city limits of a major east coast city. I was taught that when walking downtown, clutch your purse close to your body. I was NOT taught to hold it tighter when a black person approaches. Did I do that? It depended on how the black person, or white person, was dressed and behaved. For many years, I’ve tried to not do that at all. Times have changed but they need to change more.

In the last few days, I’ve learned that not being racist is different from being anti-racist. I have been guilty of not being anti-racist but no longer. I will no longer allow people to say things that may be considered racist without calling them out on it. For example, a friend was once telling me about a customer and said, “A black woman came in and . . . ” The story went on and the color of the woman’s skin made absolutely NO difference to the story. I didn’t say anything but I should have and I will next time.

I have tried, when talking to my girls, to NOT use someone’s race when describing them. I need to be better about it.

I do not know how this will end.  I hope and pray that when this is over, everyone will be treated equally and their race will not play into decisions made about them.  We are all human beings.  Period.