So my first blog is going to take a strong subject on its first day. Way to go! I'm proud of it for taking on such a big challenge its first day.
Here we go...
To the Woman in the Blue Pull-up and Black Excercise Outfit the was leaving the pre-shool as I was coming out this morning:
You totally shocked me. I could not believe your behavior was actually happening as I was watching and listening so shocked that I was speechless. I think back to what happened and it seems like I was watching it in slow motion and hearing it from a place that was outside of my body. In the minutes following that I needed to process this information, I was so angry I wanted to cry. To cry that people like you exist and to cry for the people that had to absorb your words.
Time out.... I'm sure you are thinking what the hell happened!
Here it goes: I was dropping off my daughter at her preschool this morning. This place has a door that you have to enter a four digit code to unlock. There are many parents going in and out as well as elderly folks for the senior program, and people often hold doors for people to help them out.
Well, this morning their was a black family coming in: a mom, a father, two small children walking and a baby in a stroller. The dad had both of the small kids hands in his and the mom was pushing the stroller. As they were walking up, an older women had punched in the code for herself and the mom, a few steps behind her spoke up and asked the women to hold the door to make it easier to push the stroller through. The woman turned around smiled at the family and held the door. Yes, she did, you thought that it was going to go down hill there but no! Just at that moment a young woman, maybe 32, came out one of the other doors and scolded the woman for holding the door for the family. The door woman was disgusted and claimed she was holding the door for the woman so she could push the carriage through. The young woman rebutted and said she should not hold doors for safety matters. At that point my stomach turned!!! This woman was saying this black family looked unsafe, like they were going to shoot up the place... they had 3 kids with them. The door woman stuck up for them even further saying she knew them and at that point my daughter was talking to the littler girl because she knew her from the playground. The young woman huffed blew out a "well" and gave an "I'm just saying," and walked away.
Time in... Lady I wish I had caught you and said something. That family did not deserve that and they pay like you do, but now they have to take your bullshit and can't really do anything about it. You made me feel disgusting, and if I complain about you I an going to be labeled as that black woman who complains about all the imaginary racist stuff. You made that family feel disgusting. You probably have no clue what you sounded like, but I wish I would have processed all that a little faster and spoken up, because that... you ruined my morning. I would if I could send you back to the 40's where you belong.
Cara
Whew... feels good to get that off my chest!
And that Ladies and Gentlemen is why I paint about race and color. It is still an issue and it is woven into our everyday lives... unfortunately.
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