Lionheart
Not Active
I have not known many black friends in my life. I have had several black acquaintances though. I noticed that here where I live, a black man walking down the street is unlikely to be the first to say hello and some will ignore you if you do speak, but I don't let that change me....I will speak or at the very least nod my head at people I meet on the street. If they don't want to speak to me because I am white that's fine, it doesn't mean I should silence myself.
I used to live in a predominantly black neighborhood. I was treated good because everyone knew I lived in the hood, (I kind of stood out). I was given protection by some of the neighbors because, "He lives here."
I also used to live in a city where the composition of citizens there were largely black and Italian. White people were the minority. That was a first for me, but no one treated me poorly because of it. (That may have been due to "white privilege", ...I don't know).
I have a mistrust of people in general, also of black people, and of men. It is from lies I was told and trauma that I struggled with. Still, I am open to trying to make a few new black friends. I try to base my judgement of people on actions and deeds, and not on the color of skin.
My "T" is a nice black woman whom I thought at first would not be able to help me because I wondered how she would be able to relate to me, a middle-aged white man. The relationship and quality of care I receive is top notch. I have much to learn about the similarities and differences between myself and people of color. I am ignorant but do not wish to remain that way. Anyways I just want to say that I for one very much appreciate this thread.
I was raised to believe that White people were superior to Black people and this is where racism begins, with the belief that some people (in this case Black people), are somehow inferior to others. What BS, I didn't buy it then and I don't buy it now. Each person has one unit of human worth, no one is below or above, they are equal. Thanks for letting me post about my experience and understanding of racism. I hope something I said is helpful.
I used to live in a predominantly black neighborhood. I was treated good because everyone knew I lived in the hood, (I kind of stood out). I was given protection by some of the neighbors because, "He lives here."
I also used to live in a city where the composition of citizens there were largely black and Italian. White people were the minority. That was a first for me, but no one treated me poorly because of it. (That may have been due to "white privilege", ...I don't know).
I have a mistrust of people in general, also of black people, and of men. It is from lies I was told and trauma that I struggled with. Still, I am open to trying to make a few new black friends. I try to base my judgement of people on actions and deeds, and not on the color of skin.
My "T" is a nice black woman whom I thought at first would not be able to help me because I wondered how she would be able to relate to me, a middle-aged white man. The relationship and quality of care I receive is top notch. I have much to learn about the similarities and differences between myself and people of color. I am ignorant but do not wish to remain that way. Anyways I just want to say that I for one very much appreciate this thread.
I was raised to believe that White people were superior to Black people and this is where racism begins, with the belief that some people (in this case Black people), are somehow inferior to others. What BS, I didn't buy it then and I don't buy it now. Each person has one unit of human worth, no one is below or above, they are equal. Thanks for letting me post about my experience and understanding of racism. I hope something I said is helpful.
