Don’t wear prejudice

Don’t Wear Prejudice! These words were inspired by a quote from Lady Gaga. She says: “Prejudice is a disease. So is fashion. But, I won’t wear prejudice.” Who would have thought that in 2020 in the United States of America we would feel the need to have a discussion about prejudice? I am an eternal optimist and have been accused of going through life sporting rose-colored glasses. Perhaps that is why I was stunned in 2007 when I became aware that racism not only exists in America but is alive and well. I really thought those people had died under the rocks we threw them under in the 60’s. I really did. And, today, in 2020 I see more of it than I ever have and it is so disheartening.

When I was growing up in South Dakota, there were whites of European descent and there were Native Americans. Beyond that, there was no diversity of any kind – ethnic, religious, cultural etc. I remember like it was yesterday the first time I saw a black person. I was in the 6th or 7th grade and it was in North Platte, NE. We were going on our first family adventure! We were going on a train ride from Nebraska to Barstow, California to spend Christmas in Trona, CA. My dad’s brother and two of my older brothers worked at a chemical plant there. I digress …. So, we are walking toward the train platform and this older black man walked right up to me and smiled and put his hand out. My sister and I just stood there and stared. My mother told us to give this nice man our suitcases. Mom explained that this man would help us get our suitcases aboard the train. When he was out of earshot I asked my Mom what was wrong with him. She said, “What do you mean?” and I said, “Why is his skin that color? Is he sick?” My mother, never one for long explanations, said, “Nothing is wrong with him. He was born that way. You were born pink and he was born that color.” We followed her onto the train and, as though it were an afterthought, she turned and said “I think it is called pigmentation or something like that. But, we’re all the same.” That was it. That was her entire explanation and we never discussed it again. We saw this same gentleman several times during that trip and I’m sure we stared every time. He must have thought we were strange children. I really love the way my Mom handled the situation. I believe racism is taught, sometimes out of hate and sometimes out of ignorance. I’m saddened that it is once again something we have to explain to our children.

In 2007, I had an experience in Washington, D.C. that caused me to be aware of racism in our modern times. Four of us were in a sports bar and Senator Obama came on the tv. One of my colleagues made a comment to the effect that America would completely fall apart if he got elected President. He predicted there would be rioting in the streets all across the country. He said that America is just not ready for this. I was fairly certain it was a racist comment but I thought maybe there was something about the future President’s policies that was objectionable. When we left the restaurant I asked one of my colleagues about the comment and he looked at me and said, “You do know there are racists out there, don’t you?” Well, I truly didn’t. I’m not totally naïve but I really thought there were a very few unstable people who were a fringe element. I started to become more aware and I started reading – a lot – and it became clear to me that I had absolutely no idea what prejudice was like in America and no clue what it would feel like to be a black or brown person in America. But, when I tried to imagine, it frightened me. It still does. My heart hurts for black and brown parents. What must they have to do to protect their children? What conversations must they have? How do they keep them safe? I cannot imagine. And, it has become worse over the last four years. It’s like all those closet racists have been given permission to come out from under the rocks.

I look at all the protests last week and one image that sticks in my head is the first protest I saw in Michigan. I saw big Trump 2020 banners with Confederate flags and I saw a swastika. And I saw guns of all types. And I saw angry people wearing cammo gear and carrying guns and I saw them blocking traffic. Imagine for one minute what would have happened if every one of those white faces had been black or brown. What has happened to us regarding race? How do we fix this?

We have a long way to go to be the good people I used to think we were. But, I have great hope for our shared future. That is what today’s painting is about. It’s a tribute to all parents but especially to the plight of minority parents as they prepare their children for our crazy, complex world. It’s my plea for all of us to understand the racism within ourselves and, once aware, vow to continue to be aware and call out when things are wrong. Just don’t wear prejudice! Racism is never right and cannot be explained away. There is only one race and it’s the human race. Somewhere deep down, we all know this. We need to be better. Part of the reason I feel hopeful is because I see really good parents out there who are not teaching racism. One example is recent. I have a niece in South Dakota and one of her daughters got a new baby doll recently. It was a big deal because her daughter got to pick which one she wanted. She picked a black doll. When I asked her mom what criteria her daughter used to pick her doll, her Mom explained to me that she picked that one because it had the coolest clothes. I want to live in a society where it’s just not a “thing.” One can hope. And, I hope you like the latest in my Whimsical, Wonky series.