Ch. 10

I have to say that I am very unaware of how my race and ethnicity influence my life. I am becoming more and more aware that the color of my skin and where I was born give me somewhat of an advantage, but it's always harder to see clearly when you are submerged in the water if you know what I mean. I think race and ethnicity probably play a big part in the obstacles someone faces. Part of me wants to believe that race isn't the issue anymore, but dealing with my own prejudices and stereotypes that I hold I can believe that there are many more out there with the same feelings and thoughts. I have a hard time with the notion that white people are the only one's who discriminate though. I have felt more prejudgment from African Americans then I have from any other race. There seems to be this notion that I already am a racist and so I am treated as such. I am avoided and looked at strangely by African Americans and feel the hate they have for me, when I have done nothing to deserve it.

I believe in the hardships other races face and have faced in the past and I have compassion towards it. I think that people have probably faced hardships primarily due to race or ethnicity, but I also think that people almost expect people to look at them differently and any little wrong look or discomfort is looked at as a racial issue and nothing else. Race is a VERY sensitive issue in our country and we are so afraid to interact with one another because no one trusts the others intentions.