I always find stories about slavery and racism interesting. To me it is mind-blowing how people used to treat each other based off the color of their skin! It's absolutely ridiculous. Why did people judge each other on skin color and not eye color? I wonder what the United States would be like today if people back then discriminated each other based on eye color?
Any ways, this narrative astounded me and I couldn't believe some of the things that had happened to this guy. I would have been scared to do anything or get a job anywhere if I were him. It really shows how much strengths and resilience they had to have to keep going back to the same job. Or even finding a new job after being run of a job like he was at the optical company. If I were in his situation I would be so scared to go to work wondering what fears the day will bring. I now have much more respect for the African American people of this time. This article made me realize all the horrible things that could occur at any point and time! And they had to go through this for years so they could provide for their family. I couldn't imagine doing that, but they did and never gave up. Fortunately, things are changed for the better now. Even though racism may not be totally resolved, it is nothing like the Jim Crow Laws that used to be in place.
What an interesting thought, Maria! Ethnicity, gender, and religion are normally the deciding factor as far as discrimination goes, but why? I can kind of understand religion because if someone has a different viewpoint people can get defensive. Gender is also understandable (although insulting) because men are typically physically stronger, so they had the upper hand in the beginning and then that power went to their heads, but skin color? I mean sure different ethnic groups look different, and humans are creatures of habit and familiarity which probably started the phenomenon, but why not eye color or hair color? The world may never know, but it's fun to hypothesize!
ReplyDeleteMaria, I find it interesting that you refer the "phenomenon" (as Ann-Marie stated) in past tense. Although things may have simmered down, this type of discrimination continues today, along with judgment regarding gender and religion. Many of us hope and try to deny this truth, but it is still here. I do think that the number one question is "why?" It is without a doubt very intriguing, and I agree to the fact that "The world may never know."
ReplyDeleteI found it very interesting that you questioned why people discriminated others due to their skin color and not something else, like eye color, hair color, or even a person's figure. When you said you would have been scared to do anything or get a job anywhere, I realized that I probably would have been too, but that would not have been practical. African Americans toughed it out and did what they had to do to make ends meet and everyone should admire that. Your blog made me question a lot about how strong of a person you have to be to endure times such as living in the the Jim Crow south.
ReplyDeleteI loved the way you proposed the question about what discrimination is based on. Today in places all over the world it is mainly skin color, with whites considered the 'better' race. But in actuality, how does a difference in skin color make us any better? It's no different that having different eye colors or something else trivial like what nail polish color you wear. Every single person has something different about them, and it's quite ridiculous to be racist when all skin color is, is a difference from someone else.
ReplyDeleteHey Maria! I really liked when you said, "I wonder what the United States would be like today if people back then discriminated each other based on eye color?". That is a very interesting thought. I think that it would be totally absurd if people discriminated each other based on something as unimportant as eye color, but then again that's the same thing as discriminating each other based on something as unimportant as skin color. Looking back on it today, I can't believe skin color could ever cause someone to be considered more superior, but it happened and it does makes you wonder how and why. I guess now we can just be thankful that a change did occur!
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