I'm not going to sit here and pretend that I don't see why blacks are angry. I'm a black female and I know how the world can be when you're brown. Personality wise, I'm pretty moody and I there are a lot of things that can set me off. But as I've gotten slightly older, I have seen that sometimes it's all about looking at the big picture. Currently I'm working as a sales person at a Nordstom in Northern Virginia where there are a lot of wealthy white people. Contrary to popular belief, most of my customers are nice. But sometimes I can get those one or two customers who think that I just got off the slave ship. While I was complaining to another black sales person about I realized in 1895 I would have never been able to walk into a Nordstrom, let alone work there. I was unhappy with my current situation but then I realize how far my people had come and I felt happy and proud.
In my lifetime, the status of my people will not reach it's deserved place, but anger has no place in progress. Still, some people need to realize that a person's attitude depends on many things, such as how you grew up. People that are used to seeing blacks in average to good living/working situations might have a less harsh opinion.
When I look at myself I see a person. Even though there is a brown face and kinky head in the mirror, I just see Pop. I try not to get angry about things because there are enough of us who are angry. All I can do is keep the GPA and positive attitude up and try carry myself like a role model for anyone who needs one (especially my young sista's). I will never forget the past but even when it's thrown in my face I use every ounce of power in me to swallow it even though it's bitter medicine. That's something that blacks just have to do. It comes with the territory.
[This message has been edited by Poplife (edited May 31, 2000).]
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