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| From our party this past weekend. My daughter Cailin and her longtime friend Courtney (and not just at school). |
As we visited around the topic of the struggles with racial
identity in our small group on Thursday, there was much discussion about the
influence of family on shaping one’s identity and how school experiences also
played a part. The article this week
focuses around experiences of black youth as it relates to racial identity and
socialization. However, as one member of
our small group shared her experiences, it became evident that some of the
things experienced by “Janice” (a black youth in a white school) are also
experienced in the adult working world.
While Janice made friends with some of her white classmates, she always
felt their acceptance of her was limited.
She explains, “I was friends with them at school, and that’s where it
stopped.” Our group member shared almost
word-for-word this same feeling when she expressed similar situations with her white
co-workers, “We’re friends at work and everyone gets along great. However, I’ve never been invited to their
home, their weddings, or parties.” Quite
honestly, I was shocked and discouraged to hear of this and personally just do
not understand it. I had a party at my
home this past weekend full of friends and family. Until our discussion on Thursday, I didn’t
even stop to think that some of my friends (who I also consider as close as
family) that were in attendance also happened to be black. As I have continued to contemplate on this,
it has taken me back to other events even as far back as childhood birthday
parties, parties my parents had at my childhood home, my weddings (first and
second), my children’s special events and throughout the years there has always
been a diverse group of people in attendance.
Reading these articles and participating in the very vulnerable and
honest discussions we have in class continue to open my eyes to things that I
thought were struggles well in the past.
I just want to share that am very thankful for the learning experience
this semester in African American Families continues to give me!
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| My daughter and her fiance visiting with our friend Sharlamar (who used to be a co-worker of mine). |
I also found that conversation very insightful. It’s one thing to read articles but it’s completely different when someone from class shares these experiences. I think it’s great that you can have close friendships with people of all backgrounds but more importantly you are willing to learn about others cultures.
ReplyDeleteI agree Julie, it was a learning experience for me that what had happened in the 60's and 70's in some way are still current today, it is just a little more disguised. I do appreciate the fact that all my experiences have made me the woman I am today, and so for that I am thankful. I feel it is important to have a diversity in your life and I do now so life does seem to be much more joyful.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and I love the fact that you accept everyone for who they are and not what they look like. You look into the essence of their soul and love them for who they are. I try to do this in my own life. Now do you see why I consider you as one of my role models?
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