So I just read Noelle's blog about her friend who was asked "why is your skin so dirty" and it made me think of a time in elementary school when I first witnessed racism. I was in fifth grade and I had a black friend named Erin. One afternoon after recess, Erin was talking to a boy in the class named Tom who was white. All of a sudden I just remember Erin saying to Tom "well God hates you because you're mean!" and Toms response was "Yea? well God hates you because you're black". Being in fifth grade, this was the first time I experienced anything like this and I think I could speak for all of my former classmates when I say it was a jaw dropping moment. Erin ran out of the room crying and Tom was sent home for the day.
Even though we were young, we understood how hurt Erin was. Tom didn't say "God hates you because you're a female" but instead went right to her skin color. I thought this was an appropriate story to share since we have been talking about racism in class.
I think it's crazy how people think it's ok to say stuff like that. It honestly drives me nuts. Since the whole "why is your skin so dirty" thing happened, my friend and I joke around all the time and say stupid stuff but it's always in private and only to each other and she even makes racist comments to me. But I just don't get it.
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