My vacation derailed my work on the racial equity challenge. Again, I have the privilege of putting race issues on hold while I frolic about having fun.
The Day 5 challenge deals with oppression, internalized racism, mental health, and imposter syndrome to name a few. A few personal thoughts as I read through the materials provided:
I've never worried about walking down the street, in the street, or riding my bike and being stopped and asked for ID. I have been aware for decades that this happens to POC. Our own police chief made a public comment not that long ago about people who live in "this" community need to follow the norms, like using sidewalks. I've lived in "this" community most of my life, and I walk in the street and "jaywalk" whenever I please. There was a study done about what happens when a White man walks down the street carrying a legal weapon, and what happens to a Black man doing the same thing. I'm sure you know the results. When I have been stopped by police while driving, I usually get a warning. I've never been searched, made to lie on the ground, had a gun pulled on me, or God forbid shot.
While reading the article, "The Link Between Racism and PTSD" I thought of my son's new friend, Brandon, whom I met in Florida. Cal had been telling us about his friend who lives next door, and I saw him leaving his apartment one day, and I cheerfully asked if he was Brandon and introduced myself. He looked startled when I knew his name. He later joked to Cal that he thought I was the FBI. Cal told us he is into guns and likes having an apartment that faces the parking lot so he can monitor who is coming and going. Brandon happens to be Black. The article helped me understand that being a Black male he has undoubtedly experienced a multitude of racist acts on the high end, and microaggressions, on the lower end, which can result in PTSD symptoms and even paranoia.
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