I grew up with black friends and my white privilege in an integrated section of a highly segregated city with severe racist behaviors (St. Louis, MO). My friends and my extended family were within a short drive from each other. Yet they were worlds apart. Most of those I interacted with, especially the white family members, never partake in life in the “other world.” I remember a day in college that I spent with both. I was reminded this day that I get to experience what few people anywhere get to experience.
I began the day at an exclusive party for my grandmother’s cousin who turned 90. We sipped tea and coffee on the finest Chinaware with a catered breakfast in a ballroom only few could afford. We talked about the stock market, who’s going to what college, and the traveling we had done in the past year. Everyone had to better the other’s stories. There was a sense of pride taken in each other’s journey. At the end of the day, we were family and we wanted success for everyone in the room.
Once this gathering ended, I drove 15 minutes to an inner-city park to join my best friends’ family reunion. There was barbecuing, drinking beer, trash talking, and laughing aloud while the music was playing from the open trunk of a car stereo. The conversation was about fun memories, what events were happening that weekend, and how we were going to look in our clothes and cars when we went out. Once again everyone had to better the others’ stories, and there was a sense of fun in the competition.
The contrasts in settings between these two worlds were stark. Yet there were more similarities in the human interactions than meets the eye. I came from both worlds and knew that I had something to share. I just hadn’t decided on my outlet to share it. Until now. This is one of the defining moments that inspired me on my journey to create Race for What?
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