When I was young, people would always say this to me, and my mom never liked it. I didn’t understand why but as I got older I understood why this so-called compliment did more harm than good. Because of television and music videos, some people who don’t live around a lot of black people, get the idea that all blacks are the same. In some ways we are all alike; we all have the potential to be great and all share a legacy of kings and queens. But other than that not all black people are the same. I was raised by both of my parents who were and still are very intelligent people. My mom got her degree in education from the university of La Vern and my dad got his from the same institution studying economics. They raised me to always present myself like I had an education. Even though I had my silly moments, I always knew to address adults, look people in the eye and speak clearly. Just those three simple qualities that should really be the standard for every young girl and boy, and people would look at me like I just split the atom. It bothers me that people can be so surprised when black children do or say something intelligent. Okay let me explain where I’m coming from. I grew up in a predominantly white and Asian neighborhood. When I got to college I was around a lot of black people who grew up in areas that are made up of mostly blacks and Latinos. Every now and then, someone from LA or Long Beach will call me white washed. I would ask them what makes me white washed and they would say it was because I talked “all proper.” Grammar should never be what separates us as a people. These people would tease me for growing up around white people and because I didn’t have any “hood stripes.” It is such a shame that it can be looked at as a bad thing that my parents were financially stable enough to raise my sister and I in a safe neighborhood. When I look back on my childhood, I am very proud of were I came from. I am proud to say that I know both my parents and that I grew up in a neighborhood where I could play freely without having to worry about collecting “hood stripes.” My parents raised me where they did because of the opportunities available there. When I look back on things, I would take opportunities over “hood stripes” any day.
P.S.
Sorry about such a short piece people but sometimes its kind of hard to write about stuff that pisses me off. Well now that we are on the subject, lets talk about the holiday. The night before “Independence Day,” I was hanging out with some people from my church. We were in the car and this white kid was talking about another guy who upset him. He said “Screw that guy, he’s half nigger I’m gonna kill him.” I said, “Excuse me?” He responded by saying “no it’s okay he’s half black so that means he’s half nigger.” He went on to explain how excited he was to begin basic training in the army because he was going to learn how to kill people. People wonder why I’m not so proud to be an American and why I’m not so thankful for the men and women who died to create a country in which I get a percentage of my deserved rights. Well now that I got that off my chest I feel a lot better…. Sort of. Thanks for reading. Now go kick rocks.
By: Robert Collins
