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"Never look down on anybody, unless you are going to help them up."
-The Reverend Jesse Jackson
Created on 2005-12-02 19:59:43 (#8940127), last updated 2005-12-07
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Basic Info| Name: | jason_miles |
|---|---|
| Location: | Cougar Ridge, Colorado, United States |
BioThe Truth about Racism
My folks and I moved here from Cincinatti when I was ten. We're one of the few African-American families in Cougar Ridge. Pops works at a ski lodge just outside of town. I work part time at the Sonic Drive Thru just off the Highway on the edge of town. It is completely ridiculous what I get from people here. The townspeople think they are so progressive, but nothing is any different here than it was back in Cincy.
I'm black, in case you didn't notice. So of course, that means I must, first and foremost play basketball. Wrong. I HATE basketball. Can't play it, can't watch it. I actually prefer to watch hockey, but I can't play that either. So stereotype number one is busted: not all African-Americans can play sports.
Second, I'm black, so I must have a whole bunch of Rap CD's in my car, which probably has a six thousand dollar stereo with spinner rims and the bass jacked to the roof. No. I don't have rap CD's, I don't have a booming stereo, I don't have spinner rims. I don't even have a car. I've been saving up to buy one, but it won't be converted to a tricked out pimp mobile, no hydraulics, neon underlights.
Third, I'm black, so I must wear a lot of bling bling. Wrong again. I wear a single silver cross, given to me by my mom, on a thin silver chain. That's it. No knuckle rings, no thick gold chains, no piercings.
Fourth, I'm black, so I must always be angry at white people for oppressing my brothers and sisters for hundreds of years. Wrong again. Not every black person hates every white person. Personally, I don't disrespect anyone until they give me reason to.
Fifth, I'm black, so I must not be able to read. Wrong. Not only can I read, but I can write, too. I have already taken some creative writing courses in Ms. Collins class. I hope to one day write a novel about my experiences with racism in 21st Century America.
I don't own a gun.
I don't do drugs.
I don't rap.
I don't steal cars.
I don't shop lift.
I'm not after your daughters.
I am not a Crip, nor am I a Blood.
I am not part of any gang.
I don't hate you.
I walked through the parking lots of Masterson's the other day, and a woman sitting in her car actually leaned over and locked the passenger side door. That kind of racism still exists today. It's no different in Cougar Ridge High, either. Everyone is split into their little group. I don't fit in with any of them. The white kids don't like me because I'm black. The black kids don't like me because they say I'm not black enough.
When is this town going to learn? And why do I expect better out of them than I would get anywhere else in this world of hate?
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My folks and I moved here from Cincinatti when I was ten. We're one of the few African-American families in Cougar Ridge. Pops works at a ski lodge just outside of town. I work part time at the Sonic Drive Thru just off the Highway on the edge of town. It is completely ridiculous what I get from people here. The townspeople think they are so progressive, but nothing is any different here than it was back in Cincy.
I'm black, in case you didn't notice. So of course, that means I must, first and foremost play basketball. Wrong. I HATE basketball. Can't play it, can't watch it. I actually prefer to watch hockey, but I can't play that either. So stereotype number one is busted: not all African-Americans can play sports.
Second, I'm black, so I must have a whole bunch of Rap CD's in my car, which probably has a six thousand dollar stereo with spinner rims and the bass jacked to the roof. No. I don't have rap CD's, I don't have a booming stereo, I don't have spinner rims. I don't even have a car. I've been saving up to buy one, but it won't be converted to a tricked out pimp mobile, no hydraulics, neon underlights.
Third, I'm black, so I must wear a lot of bling bling. Wrong again. I wear a single silver cross, given to me by my mom, on a thin silver chain. That's it. No knuckle rings, no thick gold chains, no piercings.
Fourth, I'm black, so I must always be angry at white people for oppressing my brothers and sisters for hundreds of years. Wrong again. Not every black person hates every white person. Personally, I don't disrespect anyone until they give me reason to.
Fifth, I'm black, so I must not be able to read. Wrong. Not only can I read, but I can write, too. I have already taken some creative writing courses in Ms. Collins class. I hope to one day write a novel about my experiences with racism in 21st Century America.
I don't own a gun.
I don't do drugs.
I don't rap.
I don't steal cars.
I don't shop lift.
I'm not after your daughters.
I am not a Crip, nor am I a Blood.
I am not part of any gang.
I don't hate you.
I walked through the parking lots of Masterson's the other day, and a woman sitting in her car actually leaned over and locked the passenger side door. That kind of racism still exists today. It's no different in Cougar Ridge High, either. Everyone is split into their little group. I don't fit in with any of them. The white kids don't like me because I'm black. The black kids don't like me because they say I'm not black enough.
When is this town going to learn? And why do I expect better out of them than I would get anywhere else in this world of hate?
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