An interesting experience

Just getting back from the club. I wasn't going to go after doing my walk but very glad I did. I learned something interesting and thought it was worth sharing here...given all this talk about "refugees."

A black friend of mine approached me today. I can call him black because I asked him what he preferred. He said he would take offense being called African American. He explains to me that absolutely none of of family, going all the way back to his grand parents, have no association with Africa. He also went on to explain how he was terrified of the police. The way he explained it to me was like this. He says to me, you know how if you are walking around the city and you enter a neighborhood where you get this feeling that eyes are looking at you and you get the notion to leave it as soon as you can. He tells me, that is how he feels everywhere.

He mentioned to me that he tells his black friends that you need to start talking more with people. The insinuation was...he was telling his black friends that not all white people are bad. But, he says it is difficult though. Because, you don't know who is racist and who is not. He explains that he has been "conditioned" to believe that most white people are bad. He also brought up slavery. He realizes that it happened a long time ago. But, the impression I got from him bringing it up in the first place is that deep down inside it bothers him. All I could do is apologize. I couldn't imagine living a life like that...constantly feeling that people are looking down on you. Or, feeling that some white person or cop is going to do harm to you just for no reason. I later on addressed him and I as "us." Us, as in one people....both human. He was so elated by that statement.

Now, I bring this up also in reference to the Syrian immigrants. In Europe, there are third generation Muslim immigrants who are still not legal citizens of the country they are in. There are minimal to no Muslims in higher government positions. On the radio, they were having a discussion (BBC)...which is from Europe. They were saying how Muslims are so discriminated against, that some may feel jealous about other accepted citizens going out and enjoying life at bars and concerts. That is what one of the guest on the radio interview stated.

The funny thing. Before I was done talking to my black friend. Another guy, whom I never seen before in my life, came up to me with lit up face showing a huge smile. I am not sure if he overheard our conversation or not, but him and I talked for at least 10 minutes. He was treating me like I was a somebody famous. He said next May I graduate from MSU and can either go to California in the wine industry or go to Chicago for a consultant. Next, he asked me to guess his ethnicity...I told him what I thought. I said, I thought he was Asian at first and then later thought he was Mexican. He told me he was 100% Native American. He asked me where he should go. Well, he was wearing a Chicago Black Hawks hat...so I said, you should go there. He tells me, I have to listen to my elders and thanked me for my insight.

Bottom line....maybe we should put aside...black, white, Asian, African, Native American, etc......and start respecting people as "people".....as "equals" to everyone else.

Somebody recently asked me..."should we let the refugees in?" I am changing my response somewhat...I said let them in after they are checked out.....but now I say....yes, let those "people" in.