My Experience with Racism

I just spent some time at the bar, celebrating our Independence Day with a friend of mine. We were out on the patio when we were joined by three Native American people. They were friendly, funny, and easy to get along with, though, its not difficult for me or my friend to get along with anyone, really. We're both very amiable people and like to meet new people and learn, always interested in learning. Though I've met Native American people before, I've not really ever had an opportunity to discuss things like cultural differences in the past. I am always up for hearing of others' life experiences, and learn about where they come from. It was interesting to hear about this woman's life, and how she felt about "the white man," though, I have to say, that what I felt after the experience, left me feeling like I was being discriminated against, simply because of the color of my skin.

This isn't a new concept for me, as I grew up in a Hispanic town, where I was the minority, and was discriminated against for being the white kid in class when I was young. I can relate to how people of minority groups feel, I've been there, experienced it first hand. What bothers me most, is that the things I was taught in school were things like, compassion, and to be sensitive to other races, blur the lines of skin color, accept people for who they are and not what they look like. All fantastic concepts however, are white kids the only ones being taught this way? I've found that because it was pounded into me to be sensitive to racial issue, that I was always afraid when encountering other ethnicities, that I was so afraid that just because I was white, that I'd say something to offend them. That being said, other ethnicities seem to be able to say whatever they want about white people, and its ok!

This whole idea is mind boggling to me. I was literally called "dumb" tonight, just because I'm white! Just because I didn't grow up on a reservation, I'm automatically racist, and don't know jack, or can't empathize with people who did. I was raised in a poor family. I know what its like to have to scrimp and save for every little thing! When I was a teenager, and had a job, my brother and I put our own money in to pay for milk for the family, because that's what was necessary. But, to people of other skin colors, I'm just a dummy who knows nothing about struggle, because my skin is white. Isn't that just as racist as me saying the same of them?

My friend apologized to them tonight, because of what our ancestors did to their people, which is admirable however, HE didn't do those things! HE didn't force them onto reservations. And neither did I. I asked him, what are you apologizing for? I mean, really? It was like he was taking on our ancestors' deeds as his own. I agree, the actions in the past may have been wrong, and unwarranted. The native people should not have been treated the way they were! But why should I apologize to them for their life now, when I don't force them to be where they are. They have a choice, just like the rest of us. I grew up poor! I made the conscious decision to better my life, to work hard and work towards doing something to improve my life. Can they not do the same? I mean, we have affirmative action in place for a reason! They have more opportunities handed to them by our government, by my tax dollars than I will ever have! I pay taxes so they have the same or better opportunities to succeed than I do! Yet, I repress them, simply by being alive and white.

I've been faced with this same issue throughout my whole life. I know there is a lot of controversy over Mexicans coming into our country and people think that they are leaching off our system. And perhaps there are some that do, I'm not as knowledgeable about those issues as perhaps I should be. However, the experience I've had with the Hispanic culture, is that those who came from Mexico, came here to better themselves. I have to have respect for that. They work hard and do whatever they can to have a better life, and to provide for their families. But there are other cultures in our country who find it absolutely necessary to rub it in my face that my ancestors repressed them. I'm sorry, there is nothing I can do about the past. The best each of us can do is learn from it so that it isn't repeated. EACH person here, regardless of race, creed, sexual preference, etc., has every opportunity to make a difference in their own life, and the lives of the people around them. Why dwell on the past that you cannot change? Why tell someone else they're dumb because they didn't grow up the way you did? Why think it's necessary assume that because someone has a different color skin, that they don't know what its like to walk in your shoes?

I'm Irish/Scottish, amongst other things. My ancestors were equally repressed and mistreated by the same nation that repressed the Native Americans! I don't go around saying, "Oh my god, the Brittish are dumb assholes!" I don't expect that Brits should apologize to me for my ancestors' misfortunes and mistreatment! Why should I have to feel obligated to do the same for Native Americans or African Americans?

I realize this post may make me look racist however, I'm far from it. As I've said before, I know what its like to be treated differently because of the color of my skin. When I meet someone, I don't look at them and label them. I don't say to myself or anyone else, "Oh, they're x color so they must... (fill in the blank)." THAT would be racist. Rather, I see someone and try to get to know who they are, what they've experienced in life, what they want from life and where they see themselves going, as an individual. Do I not deserve the same treatment? Shouldn't all races/cultures be taught to be sensitive and blur the lines of skin color? Why should I accept someone treating me as a lower person than them, just because of my skin color?