The discussion we had in class really got me thinking. The talk about switching your gender, how could your life be different. Well, I was thinking, what if not only was my gender swapped, but what about my race as well?
If I were to be a white male, my life would be so much different. My whole high school life would be changed. I went to a catholic school where I was the only black female for a while. This was a crazy experience because I underwent a lot of racism. Everyday people would make jokes, acting like they were my friends, but the jokes were very hurtful. If my life was swapped, I would have probably been invited to hang out with "my friends." I dont think there was a time that I was invited to "hang out" with the group.
I would be able to talk to my neighbors. I live in a community where there are only two black families including me. I remember once I was riding my bike and I touched my neighbors driveway, and he came out yelling and cursing at me. It was insane.
How would your life be if your race was swapped? As well as your gender? It would be completely different in every way.
I just want to say, I am so sorry that you went to a school where racism was present. I am white, and went to an all girls catholic school as well and one of my best friends who was in my friend group was African American. I also can't even believe that someone would yell at you for stepping on their property thats ridiculous! Its not like that everywhere, at least not where I'm from.
ReplyDeleteI find this very sad and disappointing that this was your experience in high school. For a lot of my young life, I believed the myth that racism is dead in America; I spent the majority of my youth in a Midwestern, largely homogeneous community. Now I am embarrassed that I ever thought like that, especially when I hear stories like yours.
ReplyDeleteIf my race was swapped and I was male, I think it would still be a 50/50 chance for success in life. Life is still about choices and the environment in which your are raised. You could be a white male not living in your current family economic state, then were would you see yourself. Everyone has been picked on, in one phase of there life but you have to understand not to want acceptance from those who don't treat you as being worthy to be their friends. You have to start your own path and rules about what's acceptable to you. Some time you have to stand ALONE, in order to surround yourself with people who have convictions similar to yours.
ReplyDeleteI'm really sorry that you had this experience. I definitely think that my life would be completely different if my race had been swapped, and I think that it is an important point to examine. I think that more in life would be different for me if my race were swapped then if my gender were unfortunately, because of how society is set up.
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