It’s amazing how undercover racism can affect a child’s mind. I grew
up in Pennsylvania where the KKK (Klu Klux Klan) exercised their freedom of
speech in front of governmental buildings about once every 3-4 years. During this time the older African Americans
would stay at home covered in fear.
While the younger African Americans would protest on the opposite side
of the street.
The local news station would show them yelling and screaming
on TV and mute what they were saying. Although
I was a child, I could read lips. I
could see how they called us N**** s and said to go back to Africa. I have always wondered why they hid under their
masks? I am not from Africa, why are you
telling me to go back? What made them
hate me so much? What made whites the
better race? The entire situation made
me angry.
My mother tried to explain why they did what they did, but
it didn’t work. She told me to pray that
everything would change. She told me to
love them anyway, because that is what God told us to do. I trusted my mother, but I didn’t like her
answer. I don’t know how to love someone
that hates me and there is nothing I can do about it. My emotions were everywhere.
The entire situation also motivated me to do better than
what was around me. To make the money
and have the things they said I didn’t deserve.
To show them that “I can beat you with my mind” and not hide my face or
be ashamed of what I have done. I will
not be afraid of people that dress up in costumes and hide their faces.
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