Is my mother too sensitive, or am I blind to racism?

Question

If she sees a cop detaining a black man wearing cuffs beside the road, it's racism or if the cashier does not have change for $100, it's racism. I think the man in cuffs may have broken a law or the cashier may have put the money in the safe to deter robbers. I think that she grew up in a time when racism was more in your face and she just can't put it behind her. What do you think?

Answer 1

the people of that generation were brought up to believe that way... common sense isn't always first priority... she may never get over it, but it is our responsibility to keep racism far from our thoughts, and not let it be a crutch, or something else to blame for our misfortunes.

Answer 2

If a black police officer was arresting a white man, would she still jump to the conclusion of racism, or are only white people capable of being racist?

You know that old saying about jealousy in a relationship... If your partner is accusing you of cheating, it might be because they have a guilty conscience. Maybe your mom, (because of traumatic life experiences) is a little racist now herself?

I'm really glad that you can see the bigger picture. Of course the cashier can't break a $100. Most places only prefer $50 in their register at any given time anyways...
This question kinda scares me really... Now I'm going to worry that if I'm ever put in a situation to let down a black person, they'll think I'm being racist... Funny how racism affects EVERYONE isn't it?

Answer 3

Your mom might be a little sensitive, but she probably is right on the money most of the time. The reason I say this is because people that lived through Jim Crow know all the subtle little sayings and actions that are used to intimidate or dis-enpower.

For instance, my shop steward (union rep) at one job told me this interesting story about how when he was a kid they would play out in the sun and get real tanned and that they'd sit on the porch and look like little porch monkeys. The whole time he had this odd smirk on his face. I had no clue until I encountered the phrase on the internet years later that porch monkey was a derogatory term used against blacks during the old days. When I told my father he went nuts (he grew up in Alabama) and said I should have sued.

You just never can tell.

Answer 4

We all are products of our experiences. Unfortunately, racism is alive and well. It may not be as overt now as it use to be but the reality is that it exists. It has been reported throughout the united states ho racial profiling is prominent. Look at the disparity in jail sentencings and even arrests for whies veersus blacks. I DO NOT condone racism, but it is the reality. Your mom probably wants you to just be on your guard and realize that the color of your skin CAN make a difference in how you are treated in this country by some people.

Answer 5

I live in NC and racism is defeinitely still present in our city. Our cops have been reprimanded for racism multiple times. A study on our police officers found that 60-70% if routine traffic stops lead to a search of the car on black people, and only 20-30% on white people. We actually have a set of "tracks" where white people live on one side of the tracks and black people live on the other side. I was weirded out by how divided the city was, and even more wierded out by the racism. Maybe your mom just knows whats up.

Answer 6

Although racism is still very alive today, I don't think those two incidents described would be considered racist. Your mother is most likely old school and it is common that the older generation holds on to its older ways. Yes racism exist for us all. You don't have to be black, white, Hispanic, or any other race to experiences it. Racism just exists, always has and is likely to continue. We are all discrimated against in one way or another.

Answer 7

I agree with you, i look at my daughter and she knows nothign of racism, and then i look at myself and i notice it sometimes, however with older people they think about it a lot more, because of what you said they grew up in it, and saw it a lot more and in worse situations than it occurs now. My grandparents speak which woudl be politically incorrect now, but they are almost 90 and times were different back then, to me the most racist people are older blacks, i use to work around alot of older people, (over 50), and whether they are white or black, they are more critcial of other races, and although i do not agree with racism, i think you need to let it slide with elders, times were different back then, need to focus on younger people and stop the cycle

Answer 8

maybe you could suggest that your mom be more sensitive to alternative explanations for what she sees. It may be an act of racism, but it may just be that the cashier doesn't have enough change. Some places have refused to even give me change as a policy, but I doubt my race, caucasian, had anything to do with it. maybe the cashier is just lazy. maybe they are waiting for it. maybe they can't count very well and they don't want to screw up....etc. instead of just blaming her "sensitivity" just start suggesting these other possibilities and it may develop a new habit in her mind to be open to other explanations for the behavior she sees.

Answer 9

I'd like to think that it's not racism! I sure hope not! I'm sorry for you mother to have that conditioning. I wish that things weren't not like that in the past and she would have no reason to even go there... Surely we've come along way, maybe she needs help seeing that. I would like her to have a little satisfaction that progress has been made in regards to the Black and White issues. You can hardly blame her for coming from her era. You can give her a great big kiss on the cheek for me and say a white man sent it to her!

Love,
Gregory

Answer 10

Racism is definitely not as open as when your mother was growing up. However, I would say that people still have prejudices concerning people that are different. These beliefs still result in actions many times. It's just that in this day and age, those who practice discrimination have to be more subtle about it.

However, I do think that it is getting better, and it is possible that your mother is too sensitive. But if that is the case, learn from her and live your life the way you think it needs to be lived. Let her live hers.

Answer 11

No man. That's just the effects of racism she grew up with as a child that has changed her perception to see things from every angle. It's not her fault, she is only looking out for the one she feels is being wronged. Racist prescence of America is to blame (past colonial/American society of the past).