The dangerous climate in our country promoting systemic racism is now being perpetuated in the guise of critical race theory.
As a person of color, my first experience with racism was being refused the opportunity to purchase a candy bar at the young age of 5 while visiting Texas. Living in California from second grade through sixth, I suffered in silence while being tormented by a white boy who called me vicious racial slurs almost daily. I didn’t tell anyone, because I was too ashamed, thinking it was all my fault somehow.
My faith in God at an early age allowed me an avenue of strength and courage, which disallowed racism to curtail my growth as a self-confident woman. I refused to let racism define me. Moreover, it never occurred to me to lash out at others around me for the racism I withstood, not ever.
In my development from child to adult, I took this ignorant racism and the subtle racism in my work environment, and socially, as a challenge to overcome. This was not a blame game for me. It built within me a strong character, and it certainly did not make me hate white people — because I married one.
Perhaps parents, teachers, professors and the clergy who have the privilege of teaching our kids would be better suited teaching character-building skills to withstand life challenges, instead of focusing on how to be an offended victim.
Our nation’s current obsession focusing on racism has become a career for some, and for others a type of celebration of a twisted interpretation of embellishing and promoting victimhood, which only lashes out at society instead of building a strong and unique identity.
Sharon Wood
Westhampton
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