Racism, Sadly, Is not Dead

50 years ago this week, 9 students integrated Little Rock, Arkansas's Central High School. As we celebrate this day and look back on the pain and suffering of the students and the town, I ask you, do you find that in your life, in your world that racism is not dead, too?

Racism is not dead in my world. I am reminded daily, in very close proximity to me that racism is a very prevalent force in society. There are many examples in my life and I will outline a few of them.

First, I have two large Hispanic families as neighbors, one on either side of my house. They have been excellent neighbors. I have no complaints about anything about them, but many in our neighborhood do. They don't like the large extended family that lives in the house. They feel it's wrong for so many people to live in one home. They don't like the fact that multiple adults in a home mean multiple cars for the home that are parked near the home. Never mind that the yards are clean, the people friendly and generous. They are different with different values and we Americans are too ignorant and lazy to understand that so we are automatically intolerant.

At work, I deal with racism from co-workers. I was astounded at a conversation that took place between a co-worker and a customer about how it's okay for black comics to mock other blacks and whites but white comics can't mock blacks. Could it be that it isn't funny for whites to mock blacks when they are using highly offensive derogatory language to do so? Could it be that most white people don't understand how hard it is for blacks in America to reach any measure of success? My husband is black and my co-worker knows this? I couldn't believe her callousness.

The principal at my sons' school, I believe, has racist tendencies. Our school has a very large minority population and very few minority teachers. I believe the principal doesn't know how to engage parents who aren't just like her and has stopped putting forth even the most minimal effort.

I want racism to die. It is wrong to judge people in a negative light because they are different from you. Yet I realize that I am perpetuating racism in my community when I let people act like my neighbors and co-workers and don't challenge them. I didn't tell my white neighbor who made derogatory remarks about our neighbors' cars that I think our neighbors are wonderful, generous people, with a son who has helped teach my somewhat shy son how to stand up for himself. I didn't turn to my co-worker and remind her of my husband's race and ask her to find something else to talk to our customers about. I have, rather weakly, challenged the principal to have a more diverse staff.

I must do more. We all must do more. In the words of Frederick Douglas, "Agitate, agitate, agitate." We can't be afraid to stir things up and cause people discomfort as we struggle to ensure that right is done everyday for everyone.