As an African American woman, I have experienced oppression and bias growing up in Mississippi. As a result, I understand how the lack of equity in society has a negative effect on groups and individuals. When I was only ten years old, I walked into a restaurant with my mother, and we were told that the restaurant was full so we had to leave. We had been traveling to Tupelo and only stopped in the restaurant to grab a snack for the trip. We did not know that the town we stopped in was predominately White and racist. However, we soon learned that blacks were not welcomed in the restaurant. This was during the 60s and these practices were common in some parts of Mississippi.
When I saw five Caucasion people sitting in the restaurant with over ten tables empty, I knew right then that we should leave. My mother politely thanked the owner and we left. As we walked out of the restaurant, the owner came out and told us that we could find a meal around the corner. He even explained that he did not want us to feel bad because this was how things worked around here. This incident stuck in mind because it was the first time that I felt less than equal to others. This was the first day that I realized that being black would be a challenge for me.
Times have changed, and people are less open about oppression. I knew then that people would have to change in order for the situations to change. Thankfully, times are much better and I can eat whereever I please.
We are all thankful that times have changed. I witnessed a racial outbreak in my hometown back in the 80's and never really understood why. We are all in this world to live together and I sure wish people could see and understand this. I feel like the owner of the restaurant didn't agree with the situation he was placed in but was scared to take a stand in what he believed in. So glad times have changed.
ReplyDeleteDebra,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experience with racism. It is very difficult, especially as a child to understand the prejudices people have against you because of the color of your skin. I agree that the times have changed and people are not as open about oppression.
Debra,
ReplyDeleteWhat a story that you shared! I am thankful that things have changed over the past several decades. It is embarrassing for me to think about our country being so prejudice during that era. It sounds like things have improved in Mississippi. They have also improved in Virginia. It has taken too long for the changes to occur. Thank you again for sharing your story.