White Man Black Man
In America today the older generation of whites and blacks have made
considerable accomplishments towards unification. I was a baby of the ‘60s error
in the old-style South. I cannot remember a day that I have not had a black
friend. I was always very confused by racism because I grew up with children of
different races. More importantly, I had wonderful friendships based on trust
and mutual understanding. Today one of my oldest friends called me. I was a
minority in the school that I attended… I had to see what it’s like to be
victimized, shunned, and treated badly because of my color. I understood all too
well what the white man had done to the black man. Amazingly, I never chose to
give in to hatred.
Furthermore, I was one never to
back down when I saw white people degrading a black person. Even if it was only
in talk, I rarely approved of this distasteful hatred. I’ve had my moments when
I had to take “being treated badly” because I was different. It has made me
appreciate my friendship that I now have today. He and I connected right away in
high school. And our friendship is now going on 20 years. I have lived my life
in the inner city’ and has seen the worst projects in town. I got caught up in
the richness of erotic intoxication. I spent my time holding a glass pipe
created by some vendor. It was amazing how easily one could obtain illegal
drugs. Looking at it with older eyes, it’s disgraceful to consider the extent of
my sorrows. I shall not convey graphics, but I’m sure you can appreciate the
desperation.
To have been to country bars
and redneck havens only to find the same deplorable conditions and state of
mind. In those areas of survival, hatred becomes a mutually beneficial
justification. It was always amazing’ how quickly people would betray their
spoken words. And how righteously aware! In their deplorable accusations of the
other racist. I finally escaped the madness to eventually end up on the West
Coast of America. I considered in this area’ it would have good race relations
because it was the glamour capital of the world! Sadly, I discovered white man’s
hatred of blacks and Mexicans. Generally from people who do not understand what
true community is all about. Don’t get me wrong, there’s many blacks who hate
whites, and many Mexicans who do the same. I’m glad that I escaped from those
“type of people.”
My friendships spand many different
races. My friendships have many different religious ideology of God. My
friendships do not see color, and I hope they are forgiving of me when I worry
about the history of our country, and the certain behavior some people have
taken towards another American… I will ask my black friend at times how things
are? At times I am the foolish one, for he is not treated unequal by anyone. The
youth of America can not appreciate this information, but I can. The Youth must
continue to unite. As I believe we are “in the point” of eradicating racism at
all levels in this country. There is much work still to be done “to higher
levels” of society. We are not ashamed to say I love you to each other even
though we are of different race. I wish we could teach others how truly valuable
our friendship is.
Thomas A. SUTOR
P.O. Box 2343
Lompoc CA 93438
Rockhawk.com
