Well if you're looking for someone who is as common as clay, you found her. lol Here it goes...

Racism is so ingrained across our nation that in my opinion it could take another century to make a difference. And you are right, it is reminiscent of a time long ago, a time when "strange fruit" swung from trees and houses of worship were turned to ash. I can remember listening to James Brown telling me to sing out loud I am black and I am proud. Sometimes I had to keep Mr. Brown's words in my mind whenever I sat next to the little girl who constantly told me not to cross her invisible barrier to reach for the box of crayons. She complained that if my brown hands touched the crayons, she wouldn't be able to use them. Every now and then I think about Nancy and wonder if she has grown up to be a kinder person, I surely hope so.

I was blessed to be born into a family where colorblindness was taught. My mother, a Northern girl was born in 1921, and my dad a down home Southern boy was born in 1922. Therefore my mother was already forty when she had me. Although my parents were from a time when the division of races was wide, and they had experienced discrimination on levels that even I have never faced, they raised me and my siblings to accept all people no matter the race. I also believe I am from the human race first, and African American second. Although I am multiracial, I identify myself as black. My husband is Caucasian, and my sons are...well...my sons. lol They do not identify themselves by their race, even when it is brought to their attention by curious folks who ask, "What are you?" My oldest smugly answers, "I'm a human being."

Within my husband's family there are some who after thirty years have not accepted my children. I have a brother-in-law who has never spoken a word to me. lol His loss I say. You can't argue with the stubborn and ignorant, especially when you come across a collective of like minded people who refuse to come out of their comfort zone.

Then there are the ones who act up like the relatives no one wants during the holidays. You know the ones, the buffoonish neo-Nazis. They curse, fight, spew hate speech and continue to be dysfunctional. But if they get too out of hand, they can become as dangerous as a caged animal. Cowards alone, bold when in force.

I know I'm going on, not really getting to the point, but I'm just releasing. Sorry. I've never had anyone actually ask for my opinion on a subject that usually gets swept under the carpet and ignored.

All minority communities, including the LGBT community should be concerned. Anyone who has been persecuted, pushed aside, tortured, murdered, and treated like less than human, should be concerned over what is taking place in the US. First the collective will place blame, and once they have their scapegoat they'll do their thing. I hope I'm not coming across as a paranoid woman sitting in her bathrobe with her tinfoil hat on, but we have grown lax as a nation. If we are not careful history may repeat itself. How do you stop it? It won't be easy, but I have a simple way to start We need to learn to listen to one another. Just sit quiet and listen. We have more in common than we realize. I want the same for my family that all Americans want for theirs. I want my sons and nephews to live the American Dream without becoming victims of hatred. Their lives do matter. Institutionalized racism has been in place for so long that the uprising of voices is causing a stir. I think it is about time the public takes notice. I want to thank you for opening the lines of communication. I hope more people follow you and Drew's lead. 

I do believe I have babbled on like a magpie, so I think a cup of tea is in order. I'm going to scoot.  Take it easy and peace out! lol 

Thank you for being both honest and incredibly brave for speaking the the truth of your experiences, I don't mind the length, nor should anyone else who wants to hear. I can't believe your brother in law in this day and age still holds such puritan concepts over interracial relationships.

I'm glad that you wanted to start an honest conversation about race. As an African American woman who was born in 1962, I think that there has been some change. I also feel that these changes are at times superficial. When I was 16, I took the PSAT and received an above average score. I began receiving mail from collleges and universities that was addressed "Dear Minority Student" or something to that effect. It mafe me feel like I was a statistic or an anomaly. I wondered why I couldn't be addressed by my name. Although I was living in the deep south, I was sheltered. I went to parochial school and at that time students were obedient and respectful of one another. I was in a predominantly White environment, but I was never conscious of my race. We truly loved our neighbors as ourselves. I had White friends who came to my house and I spent time in their homes. I never felt uncomfortable or different or inferior. Then I went off to college and faced overt racism for the first time. I had to take a make up exam that was oral. My instructor actually told me that I wzs the first Black student she had ever taught that could solve for x in their head. She was fascinated by the way I spoke. At first I thought it was my heavy southern accent, until she told me that I was extremely articulate for a Black girl. I always thought that I communicated well period. I realized that expectations were not the same for me because I was Black. That was a painful life lesson, but it just made me determined to continue to excel academically.

Now that you have a little perspective of what institutional racism can look like, lets talk about the present. I was saddened but not surprised by the incidents that involve law enforcement that has been in the news lately. I think that it is a result of centuries of institutional racism that has become so ingrained in our psyche thst we accept stereotypes as truth. Black men are depicted as law breaking, drug dealing, irresponsible, misogynistic beings that should be feared. I think this steroetype has been perpetuated in hip hop culture. However this is the segment of Black male culture that is conveyed in the media. Seldom are law abiding, educated, articulate men of color who are fiscally responsible, respectful of women, and are good parents portrayed. We live in an age where there seems to be less meaningful interaction between people and we rely on media to inform us. I remember when people talked face to face and really took the time to know someone on an individual basis. Now it seems that people tend to believe what is portrayed in the media.

Until people are willing to have open and honest conversation and realize that it will be painful, frustrating, and anger inducing...until we are willing to air our dirty laundry, until we stop revising history, race relations are going to be precarious at best. On an individual basis, I have been blessed to meet and communicate with and get to know people of different ethnicities. We all want the same things. We want financial stability, loving friends and family, good health, and the same opportunities that we were taught to expect to acheive the American dream. I think that not being on a level playing field, having sub par expectations, and being marginalized is the painful result of institutional racism.

I also think that despite the state of racial relations in this country, the ramifications of racism can be overcome. I have overcame them. I refuse to be angry or defeated. I refuse to identify with stereotypes. Each and every day I strive to be a positive example for all people.

I know that I've rambled, but I think that race relations in this country are at a critical crossroad. I also believe and pray that these issues can one day be resolved.

You wrote an eloquent, succinct, and detailed expression of racial prejudice, not merely on the face value of overt racist acts, but a social reality of our perceptions with one another is baseless. 

I am glad you chose to fight the stereotype and seek a better way forward beyond merely anger.