Racism

Navigating the complex landscape of societal and systemic racism demands a global awakening. My 31 year journey as a biracial, trans-racial adoptee raised in a predominantly white suburban environment, has been tainted by numerous encounters with racism. From enduring hurtful microaggressions in middle school, like being asked stereotypical questions about watermelon and grape soda, to facing outright racial slurs and oppression in high school, including being called derogatory names like "nigger," and experiencing oppression or dismissal from faculty, the scars run deep. Even in college and early adulthood, I faced physical assaults and degrading comments, such as being struck in the face and then told to "go pick cotton" in the same breath. These incidents, while mentally scarring, are just a fraction of the systemic issues we face. It's crucial to recognize that my privilege as a biracial individual from a wealthy white household shields me from the worst of it. Yet, the plight of dark-skinned and low-income individuals is undoubtedly more severe. Indigenous communities, in particular, are under relentless attack, as evidenced by the ongoing struggles with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), highlighting the continued theft of their land and freedom. The concept of reparations is a necessary discussion we must confront. It's time to confront the atrocities committed solely based on skin color, hair texture, or phenotype. While acknowledging the imperfections within the black community, such as colorism and division, which transcends cultural boundaries, we must start the dialogue and embrace the discomfort to initiate meaningful change.