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Disillusion of Racism

Disillusion of Racism

I would like to believe that despite his­tori­cal biases, large swaths of people are not inherently bad.

Growing Up Color Blind

February Black History Month
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I grew up under the illusion that racism ended. Turbulent history going on during child­hood was veiled. Protests of black leaders and peaceful marches were not for family viewing. The only regular televi­sion show featuring a black actor during grade school was I Spy. The Bible teaches that God made from one man every nation of man. So I was brought up not to see color even though neighbor­hoods were segregated.

In Denial

Throughout high school, the student body was predomi­nantly black. In university, I had my first culture shock as an African American minority. The ratio of minorities mirrored the United States popula­tion. Eschewing the Black Students Union, I exerted little effort to either “fight the power ”or to assimi­late. The experience did make me more articu­late (when necessary).

Disillusion of Racism

As a teen, I was told by mentors that racism would hinder my advance­ment. I believed that succumb­ing to such limita­tions would suppress my creative trajec­tory as an artist. Working for black, brown-, beige-, and white-owned businesses enhanced my talents. It also colored my percep­tions of ethnic groups.

In the early days, some employers could barely afford to pay me minimum wage. But I valued the educa­tion. Later, others compen­sated me hundreds or thousands of dollars per day. I experi­enced my share of rejection and pre­ju­dice, which I viewed as isolated incidents. Letting my work speak for itself, I continued to progress.

Racism Persists

All these years later, racism steals the head­lines with both destruc­tive protests and peaceful marches. Videos of police violence, white suprema­cism, and “Karens” gone wild get millions of views and reignite the topic of racism. [1–4]

America was founded by people arriving on ships to take land from Native American Indians. After gaining control, they brought over more people in ships to pick cotton and build plantations, railways, and the nation’s capital. During the year 2020, statues were toppled, school mascots changed, and national sports teams were renamed.

Has the ease of posting encoun­ters with smart­phones made an ongoing problem more apparent or is racism resur­facing? I would like to believe that despite historical biases, large swaths of people are not inherently bad. But based on the 2021 Washington Capital insur­rec­tion, perhaps this is just my disillusion. [5]

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To support the writing of useful articles about emotions, ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online. You may sponsor specific articles or remit a small donation.

ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online to offset expense of the writing useful articles about emotions. Slide extra posters into DeuPair Frames without removing from the wall.

ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online. You may remit a small donation.

You can support the writing of useful articles about emotions by sponsoring specific articles or remitting a small donation. Visible content is optimized for device size.

References
  1. Former officer in George Floyd killing asks judge to dismiss charges. cnn.com/2020/08/29/us/george-floyd-killing-officer-dismissal/index.html Retrieved 30 Jan 2021
  2. Gun-toting members of the Boogaloo movement are showing up at protests. cnn.com/2020/06/03/us/boogaloo-extremist-protests-invs/index.html Retrieved 30 Jan 2021
  3. Investment firm fires woman over video of her calling the police on a black man who asked her to put her dog on a leash. businessinsider.com/investment-firm-suspends-central-park-woman-rang-nypd-black-man-2020-5 Retrieved 30 Jan 2021
  4. Videos of people labeled 'Karens' have flooded the internet, drawing curiosity, condemnation, and criticism. Here's how they took over our feeds during quarantine. insider.com/karen-compilation-timeline-white-women-racism-2020-6 Retrieved 30 Jan 2021
  5. The four-hour insurrection. washingtonpost.com/graphics/2021/politics/trump-insurrection-capitol/ Retrieved 30 Jan 2021
  6. Main photo by Anete Lusina from Pexels.

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