I was 100% proud to be a resident of the town I grew up in. That was until I came across a book that detailed the town’s bylaws in the late 1800s and early 1900s and realized that slavery was a key part of the town’s makeup. No person that was Native American or African American was permitted in the town unless they were a slave. This book depicted slaves as property and were thought to be less than human and without rights. For months, I was just so angry about what I had read and determined to change what I had read in black and white. Then I realized that, that was then and this is now. I realized that we can’t change what’s occurred but can make sure that history changes in the years ahead.
I am proud to say that I am somewhat of a mutt when it comes to my race. I will say though that I’m primarily Native American, some African American and a few other things I won’t mention. Whatever I’m made up of, I’m certain of and that is that I’m fully human with just as many rights as any other American. Coming from a mixed family allows me to see people as people and not a race or define them by the color of their skin.
The “perception” that people are speaking about is the perception that has been handed down from one generation to another. Try as we may to pull people out of their ignorance by educating them it seems pointless if they’re not willing to open up their hearts to honestly accepting the differences that are presence and then just simply ignoring them and seeing each person as just that, another person.
The reality is, no one race is responsible for their presence here on this earth, that is due to a higher power or evolution or whatever or however you want to label it. Therefore as has been over and over and time and time again, let’s just learn to live together for all of our sakes.
Most people on this earth have been educated in one way or another and can certainly understand that working together without conflict is obviously much easier to do than being on opposite ends of things and always finding a reason to be at battle with one another. If we all respect one another than there is no reason for discontent.
Racism In A Small Town©
Copyright 2016
By Felina Silver Robinson
The Writings of Felina Silver Robinson 