Unlearn Hate

Yes, I owe it.

I was taught hate as a child.

I called Brazil nuts “ni**er” toes because I was taught that was their name.

I chanted a rhyme with “catch a ni**er” by the toe…..because an adult taught it to me.

Why was I taught all black people loved watermelon and that was funny?

My text books showed few slave pictures ….and they smiled and sang as they worked . Why was that falsehood taught?

I was told Black people were not clean .

I was taught to be scared of black people but never actually knew any black people.

It was ok to make fun of the dialect of black people even though it was painful when people made fun of my southern accent.

Why did I not get the wrongness of that?

Warnings of a black man might rape me were part of growing up.

No mention of the white men that actually did act inappropriately but praised God on Sunday!

Religion and schools should not mix white people and black people the church hammered at me !

God intended separation they spewed.

Where did my parents and neighbors learn these horrific thoughts?

Alas..

From their parents, friends and neighbors.

Traditional teaching is a strong element in life.

Going back to the days of the ones who committed the act of enslavement…

Their hatred and discrimination were denial of their own wrongdoing .

Their false narrative of life was to assuage their own conscience.

As a teen and young adult I started questioning my teachings.

I broke the cycle and I saw my parents learn and improve as well.

There is no cycle of “them and us” in my family core now.

The acceptance of diversity and inclusion of all is natural and normal to me

Maybe saying it outloud will help others…

I learned things that were wrong.

I also corrected the misconceptions.

It feels better to love all people