I owe you an apology. I haven’t written an essay for around a month. I’ve picked up my pen - which is a euphemism from the old days - pretty much every day, scratched my head, squirmed around in my chair, stared off into space or into the fire in the wood stove, and then set my pen back down and I’d go back to just thinking. Thinking about the advice and insight some folks have shared with me. Thinking has interfered with my writing. I’m not sure what that says about me!
Glad you are writing again. I read it twice. I have a problem with your "two biggest obstacles. . white people don't believe there is a problem and second , we don't believe it's a national problem,"
So the PROBLEM is that we don't think there is a PROBLEM.? Hmmm, I need more than that. Something more concrete that allows for more specific discussion and action.
You say we are fraught with racist structure and systems . Yes , some of your stories are from institutional warfare but many are specific people /persons hurting other people/persons.
My take is that the horror of racism that we live with comes from an emotion. It comes from poor or no education . It comes from narrow mindedness and shallow, limited life experiences. It's when someone simply sees you coming down the street and thinks YOU ARE DIFFERENT . You are not the SAME AS ME. Therefore, at least you should be dismissed and at most, you should be ... eliminated.
So, what to do? Thats your job! Keep writing your stories with historical perspective., but find ones that help people realize that their racist emotions and feelings should be dramatically reduced. Stories that tell us that there is no difference. WE ARE ALL JUST THE SAME PEOPLE.
Glad you are writing again. I read it twice. I have a problem with your "two biggest obstacles. . white people don't believe there is a problem and second , we don't believe it's a national problem,"
So the PROBLEM is that we don't think there is a PROBLEM.? Hmmm, I need more than that. Something more concrete that allows for more specific discussion and action.
You say we are fraught with racist structure and systems . Yes , some of your stories are from institutional warfare but many are specific people /persons hurting other people/persons.
My take is that the horror of racism that we live with comes from an emotion. It comes from poor or no education . It comes from narrow mindedness and shallow, limited life experiences. It's when someone simply sees you coming down the street and thinks YOU ARE DIFFERENT . You are not the SAME AS ME. Therefore, at least you should be dismissed and at most, you should be ... eliminated.
So, what to do? Thats your job! Keep writing your stories with historical perspective., but find ones that help people realize that their racist emotions and feelings should be dramatically reduced. Stories that tell us that there is no difference. WE ARE ALL JUST THE SAME PEOPLE.