Racism

A police officer kneels on an innocent mans neck & kills him, the US erupts, it’s racism problem is brought into sharp view from the ever present racial tension rumbling underbelly it always seeks to hide

It’s not new is it? How many innocent people have been treated so?

It doesn’t stop there though does it?

This man was killed. Others were injured. More we’re afraid, scared for their lives, afraid to talk back or even talk. Passed up for opportunities over others of a different (white) race or simply just treated with contempt or suspicion

I lived in USA, Washington DC, for 2 years. Even in a liberal melting pot like DC, full of diplomats & expats the racism was clear as day

From the border guard who laughed at my diplomat husband when he suggested I may be his (then) fiancé & said ‘ha OK will play it like that’

To the countless cars I saw stopped by police who NEVER had a white driver

Our black friend, a lawyer living in a wealthy part of town, who got arrested for walking his dog there because a resident was annoyed a black man was on his street. He lived there too-he wasn’t believed

It goes on and on

But if you’re looking over the shores thinking thank god that’s not us. Don’t sit so smugly.

I could tell you stories.

The man who didn’t want me treating him but wanted my white junior colleague beside me.

The woman who called me a p***

The consultant who won’t look in my eye but will laugh with the white boys

And believe it or not

The girl of a non white race who tells me I don’t know what racism is because my skin in practically white anyway

If you don’t understand or appreciate racism.

Don’t hide from it, hiding from it is privileged

Learn

Then teach