Race has been on my mind all weekend. I'm sure my black friends will pull out the ADW textbooks and remind me that viewing the world through the lens of race is the norm for blacks in America and the dichotomy is something very few groups can identify with.
So Friday begins with a very subtle but mildly disturbing racial incident at work. The person who was on the receiving end of the prejudiced behavior probably didn't even realized it had gone on. I noticed it and I was PISSED. I try to believe the best in everyone but this person keeps showing ugly and evil on a regular basis. The very small thing on Friday turned sneaking suspicions into accepted reality.
Saturday, I experienced the positive side of racial divisions...pride. I went to celebrate a Spelman alum's new job. Reflecting on my own experiences at Spelman and the amount of resistance I experienced from faculty, staff, and fellow students over the choice to pursue a career in entertainment, I was truly happy to see another Spelman sister experiencing career success in entertainment.
Tonight, I got off the phone with one of my dearest friends in Atlanta. Her 21 year old son came home from prison today. I remember feeling such sadness when I learned that he was in jail. He is such a bright, respectful, caring, articulate, and likable kid it's so hard to believe he has become another statistic. As his mother struggles with finding the new place "mom" resides the life of her boy turned man, my militant mind can't help but imagine how his consequences would have been different if he hadn't been black.
What does any of this mean in the world? I'm still trying to figure it out. But I came across this piece in Salon that resonated with my whole entire weekend.
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