Going to veer off the topic of midwifery for a minute and write about something that is on my mind tonight. Over the past few weeks there have been many conversations about racism-some say it still exists and others say not so much. I can't tell you what it means to be white, hispanic, asian, native american, or any other ethnicity in this world. All I can speak from is what it means to be a black woman. And don't get me wrong, racism is a two way street. Because yes there are blacks who discriminate and spew hate towards whites and hispanics. But from my vantage point, I can tell you that racism is alive and well.
Last year, when I announced that I was going back to school to fulfill my dream of becoming a midwife, most everyone was super supportive. But one person in particular asked me "Why would you want to do that? Black people don't do that". What is the appropriate response to such an ignorant statement? It took me back to a comment a teacher made to me in high school. She told me that it was only because of my color that I got into the college I did because I was black. It couldn't have been my 3.7 GPA or my extensive community service background, or work ethic, but because of my skin color. It shouldn't surprise me-but all the same it was still shocking and hurtful. I was raised to not see color. I've heard the stories from my mom and others about growing up during the civil rights movement. But we were taught those stories not to hate but to learn from the past and continue to move forward to equality. So what happened? Why is it that in 2012 these stereotypes and racial disparities still exist? How can I teach my son to go beyond color and see a person for who they are when a friend stated tonight that the way I vote must be based on the color of skin? If things are supposed to be so much better then why are things like that still said about someone of color?
Lots of questions with no easy answers.
I can't describe how deeply troubling and how sad it makes me that no matter how hard I work, or how much I achieve there are some who will never be able to see past my skin tone.
This is crazy...racism only exists because people continue to let it into their lives. Those who say these hurtful things have troubles within themselves. Its not about you, but its about them. When I was 4 years old, my best friend was an african american boy; I a caucasian female. I didn't see his skin color as different than mine, but when I felt of his hair, I noticed it was different than my hair. So I bounced my hand on his head up and down, up and down, then continued to play as we always did. His skin color was not an issue for me because I didn't see the difference. I think we all need child-like attitudes when it comes to race. For your son, teach him your morals and values; skin color is not important but what is is the content of his character- as MLK JR. put it :) Also, it doesn't matter of what others think about how you got to where you are in life; you, your self, know how you got to where you are. Raise your head high, be strong!! Tamara, you are a woman of color and you are beautiful, inside and out! It is 2012, no matter who you are, you can do anything you set your mind to!
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