I grew up in a small town. Less than 900 people. We had one black family. They ran the local junk/antique business and literally, lived on the other side of the tracks. BUT, they were decent people. I never heard anyone use derogatory comments about them. Yes, I led a sheltered childhood.
I joined the service in 1981, and learned that this word was very powerful to some people. Meant nothing to me. Still doesn't. And yet, it seems to be even MORE powerful, even though the people I hear it from the most are the ones that COMPLAIN that it hurts them the most. I do not get it.
On applications or forms where they ask race, or let you write in "Other", I always write in "HUMAN"...
My Grandmother was raised in Oklahoma oil country before the turn of the last century. Her family had "Darkies" that worked for them. She never had a bad thing to say about the ones she grew up with, though she could never bring herself to say "Darkie" with more than a whisper. Even though she often referred to them like members of her own family. I have ALWAYS thought that strange.
My last assignment before I retired from the Navy, in my shop I had a black, a chinese, a puerto rican, a fillipino and a white besides me. The black went by the nicname "Bleu 38" (spelled that way) because his New York self was so dark he was almost blue and he rolled with a 38. Or, so he claimed. The Chinese guy went by Michael, because his name was just to difficult for folks. The Fillipino, Bernie, was born here, his parents came here and did NOT speak their language in the house. The Puerto Rican? She was 19 and immature, also from New York City and thought she knew everything. I had the most trouble with the white guy...
Now, I'm very tired being told how *I* need to be more tolerant. And respect other's "cultures". On the flip side of this coin, why do I have to feel guilty for celebrating MY culture? That of being an AMERICAN? And non-hyphenated at that.
