I definitely empathize with your experience and feel horrible that you had to go through that. But truly how many white Americans have had a negative racial experience? Generally it is understood that a group of blacks can get together to discuss their past issues with race in their lifetimes and almost every single person will have something to share. I have been attacked physically, verbally and non-verbally by a vast array of whites in America during my lifetime. My siblings and I mainly grew up in white neighborhoods. I have had dogs let out on me, rocks and racial slurs yelled from cars, and people lock their doors if I got a little too close to their car. And as one poster responded about just being black in the wrong place at the wrong time, our family was one of the truly unlucky one’s because my older brother was killed by police officer’s after calling an ambulance but somehow the police showed up. My brothers heart stopped after being shocked with a tazor gun.

As you can see we are not only talking about the history of abuse that blacks have been subject to but the ongoing racism that is just as strong but much more silent because people want to “leave race out of it” or say they are “politically correct” but continue to keep it in the fore front of their minds and active in all their decisions and actions. A previous post mentioned that just walking to the car could be a different experience depending on race and gender. This is so true. Most of the white people I know try not to attend black events or go where there will be many blacks at one time. Being a minority 99% of the time for blacks is not a choice and is not easy.

As far as earning our place at the table, no one is looking for an easy way out or to blame others for their misfortune and hope we get something out of it. I am a strong professional black woman who works hard, gives back to my community, supports my family (extended…I don’t have children), and politically active. I care about the environment, violence, world issues and other concerns of average Americans but I know that race is always the most important struggle for me because it is an experience I have everyday…not just one dreadful experience from childhood. We realize that there are many great black leaders and speakers but many are from our neighborhoods and communities that you will never hear or see and not most of the clowns portrayed in the national media as our representatives.

Signed another ABW who has more than earned her right to sit at the table and still be mad as hell.

I plan to visit again in the future. I invite you to check out the Electronic Village if you have time or inclination.

peace,
Villager

No mention of that here!

I think his very question was “othering”. I realize I never feel the need to identify myself as white unless there’s a specific context (talking about audience demographics, for example), because I know people will assume I’m white unless I tell them otherwise. That’s a privilege I’m aware I have. He doesn’t seem to get that he has it.

I do know what it’s like to be mistake for a default: if I don’t identify my gender in a forum, it’s “dude” this and “oh, man” that. I’m male until I say otherwise. Sometimes I used to play with that, just to spring it on them later after they’ve worshipped me for knowing a lot about computers or whatever “boy topic” we’re talking about. “Oh, by the way, I’m a woman.” But now I’m up front about it because my gender has a need for people to “be a credit to” it. White men don’t know what that’s like.