Racism/ethnoracial discrimination are the first half of a binary weapon system; the second half is what transpires within someone, which can potentially be far more damaging than the external acts that occur. I appreciate how this article and poem looked at the second half of the equation.
Reflecting on where that internal process can go if left unchecked brings to mind this from the book The Miseducation of the Negro: "When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his 'proper place' and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary."
As a child I was fortunate enough to go to school with many other nationalities. I was taught at home to be respectful of ALL people regardless of the colour of their skin. If you will pardon me a slice or personal memory, my mother used to say it doesn't matter what colour the rice is, it's still rice. Of course she was not talking about nutritional value but rather the commonality that we are ALL human.
Hate is taught. plain and simple, and it usually starts at home.
Racism/ethnoracial discrimination are the first half of a binary weapon system; the second half is what transpires within someone, which can potentially be far more damaging than the external acts that occur. I appreciate how this article and poem looked at the second half of the equation.
Reflecting on where that internal process can go if left unchecked brings to mind this from the book The Miseducation of the Negro: "When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his 'proper place' and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary."
As a child I was fortunate enough to go to school with many other nationalities. I was taught at home to be respectful of ALL people regardless of the colour of their skin. If you will pardon me a slice or personal memory, my mother used to say it doesn't matter what colour the rice is, it's still rice. Of course she was not talking about nutritional value but rather the commonality that we are ALL human.
Hate is taught. plain and simple, and it usually starts at home.
Loved the poem. Keep it up.