I Once Was A Racist

I have a confession to make: I used to be a racist.

Now if anyone knows me, this might be shocking to you. It was to me. But it also might be shocking to say I was not the average racist.

I was a "color blind" racist.

To me, this is ignoring race completely. This is separating the person from their color.

Wait? Isn't that a good thing Annmarie?

Well, it is a great thing! It is truly a wonderful idea. At least in the perfect world.

But we live in a broken world. A world where race affects a person so deeply, that ignoring their race is ignoring a core part of their personality.

I am a white woman. I will never have to wonder if I'm being pulled over by a cop for "driving while black." I will never wonder if a "random search" on me at an airport is due to my olive skin.. I will never have to wonder if I was denied a job because my name reflects my non-European culture.

Yet so many people have these struggles each and every day.

I will never truly understand what it is like to live as a racial minority. But I can acknowledge that. I can ask questions of people to try and understand more. And I can see that race does matter. Race is a huge part of who we are, and by not only acknowledging it, but celebrating it, we can ease the tensions and enjoy this complex tapestry of differences in our world.

Because lets be honest, a quilt would be very boring with only one color and texture.

Love and Blessings,

Annmarie Faye