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"O, let America be America again- The land that ever has been yet- And yet must be- the land where every “man” is free.” Let America be America Again by Langston Hughes I think what these protests have shown me again is the dream of America is still a dream. It is not a land where all are on a equal plain with equal opportunity. Between the pandemic and the protests over George Floyd's death the contrast has been very stark. Today I watched a video of a police arrest in Tulsa of two black teens supposedly for jaywalking. I know clearly if there had been two white teens walking down the street nothing would have happened. To believe that there is no racism or white privilege or white supremacy is impossible for me. I have spent some time looking into the issue of racism in the last year or so. I believe that we as white people have a responsibility to change the way things are and I do not feel good about the length of time it has taken me to realize the privilege that I have. It is so easy not to see it or believe it. There is so much reinforcement for believing that I am where I am because of my own effort. Baloney!!
My family was able to own our first home because of the GI bill and could buy in any neighborhood. I could easily get a loan at the bank and be a respected customer. Nobody ever follows me around in a store to see what I might be purchasing or stealing. When I go places, most everyone looks like me. My boss is likely to look like me. I am not expected to represent my race or be a reflection on all white people. No one has ever called me a racial epithet. That and more have come to my attention over a few years. The recent events, especially the killing of George Floyd, have brought the racial divisions in the country to the forefront again. I have had difficulty with people who do not believe this is systemic and long standing and deeply ingrained in American culture. I know I have my own biases and prejudices, but I hope I can look at them and examine them and believe in them and not deny they are there. I would ask other people to do the same. So much more to learn and do and stand with those impacted more directly than I have been! --Carolyn
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January 2022
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