The "R" Word.

 

RACISM.

Look at me. I'm a black woman. I  was born a black woman and I will be a black woman until I  die. I  love my skin and I am comfortable in my skin (besides these extra pounds I've picked up... thanks quarantine). I  believe Black Lives Matter. I  think people should be allowed to date who they want. I    am pro-black.

I  am also a black woman with a white best friend.

Where It All Started

Me and my best friend, Hannah, have been friends for about 13 years. We met in Mrs. Tisdale's third grade class and have been pretty much stuck like glue since. We've cried together, been in trouble together, snuck out together (sorry mama and Mrs. Kim), had disagreements, and fights but our friendship has never quavered.  We grew up attending Vincent Middle High School, a small 2A school about 30 miles outside of Birmingham,AL (You know, one of those towns where EVERYBODY knows EVERYBODY'S business 😒) I'll be the first to say that Hannah and I  are COMPLETE opposites. She has a huge heart and would give the shirt off her back to anyone without questions, while I on the other hand would definitely need a little more convincing as to why someone could possibly need my shirt 😂. Growing up together, we have literally seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of each other's lives. We've experienced first heartbreaks, first periods, first EVERYTHING together. Unfortunately, that does include first experiences with racism. 

Growing up, I never was taught to judge someone by their color. If I wanted to be friends with someone, I  could. If I  wanted to date someone, I  could. I  knew that anytime I wanted to introduce someone to my parents I would never have to say "Hey, can this person come over? They're white though." It was how I was raised and it is how my children will be raised. Someone's race should never be a deal breaker. You want to know why?  RACE DOES NOT DEFINE CHARACTER! 

Ole JoHannah

Over these past years, I have personally witnessed Hannah defend the Black Lives Matter movement. I've heard Hannah use not-so-nice words to defend ME because I am black. I've listened to Hannah cry as people treated her differently because she has black friends or has dated black guys.

"Hannah dates black guys? Do her parents allow it?" 

"Her parents let her date black boys. No, you can't hang out with her." - A "Well-Respected" Pastor

"Snicker-licker" -A white guy Hannah dated who wasn't aware she also dated black guys previously

"All she hangs around is black people."

"She wants to be black so bad!"

"My son ain't dating no white girl."

"White girls always taking the black athletes."

"I deleted her because of the BLM s*** she was posting."

Hannah is a white girl who has "permission" to date other races. Hannah is a white girl who has "permission" to have black friends. Hannah is a white girl who has "permission" to interact with black people.  GET OVER IT. It is literally TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY and this is still confusing to some people. WHY?! 

My 1st Encounter With Racism

In 2018, I  experienced racism for the first time in my own hometown and from my own CLASSMATES. I was angry, I  was hurt, I  was appalled that the people I called my "friends"could stoop so low. Some of my classmates had a group chat on Snapchat and one referred to me as a monkey and said he would hang me. The rest of them laughed except for ONE person who knew it was wrong and brought it to my attention. Of course, they were not punished. I  was actually told "just ignore it, y'all graduate in a few weeks and will never have to see each other again". To this day, I  wish I  would have pushed the issue. I wish these people wouldn't have been able to walk on graduation day. I just wish there would have been SOME sort of consequence. I  have forgiven them, it did take me a while and I    am not ashamed of that. I  forgave them by realizing their ignorance is not my fault, it's their parents and how they were raised. Generational curses and ignorance must be broken AT HOME. Hidden racism is still racism, y'all.

I write all of this to say,

Every race can be friends.

Every race can have beautiful babies.

Every race can date who they want.

Every race can marry who they choose.

EVERYONE IS EQUAL.

I  pray for a world that will one day see no color and only love.

XOXO,

Charity Robertson

P.S. I love you JoHannah and thank you for always standing up for what is right.