Continuing with the WordPress Zero to Hero blogging challenge. Today’s challenge is to: “write the post that was on your mind when you decided to start a blog.”
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A friend of mine and I were having lunch and he was telling me how surprised at how racist America is. He is from Sweden and biracial and although he is very fair-skinned he does have very African features. So, most people in the states classify him as a black male.
Anyway we’re eating and talking about race in America and the hostess seats a young white couple next to us and after a few minutes I could tell that they were becoming uncomfortable with our topic of conversation. But then I thought that’s what you get for listening.
My friend was telling me that in Sweden that there is racism, but not like here in America. As I explained to him America has a long long history of racism and it’s something we try to sweep under the rug and not talk about. I told him that as biracial child here in America you’re basically forced to choose which racial group you’re going to associate with and typically you’re not truly accepted by either.
I told him about the first time I was ever called a Nigger. I was about 9 or 10 and in the hospital and my 9 or 10-year-old suitemate told me that I was Nigger. I knew what it meant. My parents talked about it, and I thought still with some naiveté, “I’m not stupid nor am I ignorant.” And I also told him how in 2013 every few months I got a white person saying to me, “Oh you speak so well.” Really? How else am I supposed to speak? I’ve gotten to the point where I shake my head and walk away.
We both noticed the couple get really uncomfortable when I was talking about the first time I was called a Nigger. At that point I wanted to pull them into the conversation, but thought better of it because if they’re uneasy hearing about it through their eavesdropping then they probably wouldn’t be particularly comfortable with being dragged into a conversation about race in America.
Talking about race in America is not easy and it is a hot button topic. It’s a topic that I want to and will broach on this blog.
Please feel free to share your thoughts.
20/20 Hines Sight 
I’d love to read the blog post written by one of the listeners!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and all the best with the blogging to come.
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That’s a great idea. If only I could find them
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Talking about race in America is not easy and it is a hot button topic. It’s a topic that I want to and will broach on this blog. I agree with you on racism. I have worked with others who are and it is quite disturbing. I am a truthseeker, justice seeker, root for the little guy type of gal. I added you to my jackiespeaksitblog on sidebar to follow. Thanks for visiting me. Thoughts to improve it are very appreicatied.
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I 100% agree with you. I got into a physical altercation over this once. Good times. A low life ‘redneck’ decided to call my best friend a nigger. I, being young and stupid, decided to get angry.
My response was ‘The word nigger was created by a bunch of ignorant people such as yourself, who couldn’t say the word negro and it turned into nigger. You my friend, are more of a nigger here than anyone.’
That led me to a punch in the jaw. He came to realize for a girl, I hit like a man and I won that altercation. Having 4 older brothers will do that for you. Looking back I wish it hadn’t come to violence… but it did. Nothing I can change about it, I just learned from the experience. I don’t like that word, it’s horrible and no one should be called it. Ever.
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You’re right that word should never be used. And every time I hear it it irks me to nth degree.
It’s good that you stood up for your friend and I hope this ‘redneck’ learned a valuable lesson from your ‘man punch’. Not that I am condoning violence. Open and honest dialogue should always be the course of action.
I know when I talk to friends or even just random people I always ask why they feel that way about a group of people. I’d say a good 90% don’t know why and they’re basing their thoughts on stereotypes, which they are hailing as true.
I really hope one day we can talk openly and honestly about race in Amerca.
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Me too. I wish people would hate less and be a little more open about a lot of things!
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