[navane]

Originally posted by VirtuousErudite
persecution within this country. The thing is that although you may recieve comments about being Polish, looking at you I or other members of the community do not know you are Polish until you share that with us. You have the ablity to "blend" into community so to speak. I or other African-Americans and minorities to not have this ability. We go through life on a daily basis being "different" from the majority of the people around us in power.

Yes, absolutely. Because my ethnic background allows me to "blend in" with other white people I don't feel singled out. I agree with you on this.

Though, on an amusing side note, when I was in high school, I was really dark. I had Mexican classmates who didn't realize until the week before graduation that I wasn't Mexican! I also had MANY black people ask me if I was half-white and half-black. I have since become much lighter for some reason.

I would just like to say that rascism does not begin and end with slavery.

Oh, of course not! I specifically mentioned slavery in my post because, in the example I cited, the young black woman I was speaking to told me that white colonial slave owners were the root cause of all the trouble and that I must be somehow genetically related to them. She was presenting a very narrow definition and I was using it to illustrate that point.

Rascism exists today just as much as it does today and I challenge you to listen carefully and look closely as you are out today and see if you hear any comments that migh be just a little disparaging about African-American's or other minorities, or if you go into a store and notice a customer of color being followed. You may be surprised at what you find.

Again, I am in agreement with you. I never intended to assert that racism has been solved - I hope that's not how my post came across.

This isn't meant to be a "once when I was in third grade I once had some black friends so I'm ok" comment or anything. But I do wish to address your suggestion that I try and look closely at how an African-American person goes about their business. My father is a widower. A couple years ago he started dating an African-American woman. And, hey, they're still together and she lives in my house. So, it's not like I'm a total ignoramous or something. I have been out places with Arnetta and whatnot. At our house we don't care what people think of us being different races but that's another thread. Edited to add: My elderly Polish grandfather? He's a widower too and he has an elderly Filipina girfriend!!!

I am not black. I am not asian. I am not hispanic. So, unfortunately, I can never truly and fully understand what you experience. The best I can do is engage in honest dialogue and try to come to an understanding. I hope we are achieveing this today.

Again, I really wish to express my appreciation for the honest and non-bashing discussion. Thank you very much.

.....Kelly