Blog archive
May 2024
No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024
An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024
Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024
Resource Fair Preview
05/01/2024
The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024
Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024
April 2024
Rumor of Humor #2410
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2411
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2412
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2413
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2414
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2415
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2416
04/28/2024
Stimulated by "Caste"
04/22/2024
Tulsa reparations, Religion and Politics
04/09/2024
March 2024
Trumps War with Black Women
03/31/2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
Racism I Have Experienced
By Richard MyersPosted: 09/05/2023
The purpose of this blog is to raise awareness of what racism is and means andhow it is expressed in our world. This is a contribution of one of our Villagers reflecting on her personal experiences in her life
Racism I Have Experienced
When a White person says to me, "You're mixed, aren't you?” I say "It would be difficult to find a Black person in the United States who is not mixed. The question is, 'How far back or how close in the lineage did it take place?"
Then they have said to me, "You're a teacher aren't you" and I say, yes, how did you know? and they say, "by the way you talk" and I say, “I’ve only been a teacher for five years but I've always talked this way. My whole family talks this way!” My correspondent stands there, at a loss for words.
In Marion, Indiana in the year 1959 when I was 20 years old, it was said to me, "You're not from around here, are you?" I said, no, that I was from the Midwest, why do you ask? He said, “If you were from around here, you would never have applied for this job."
I said, "I applied for this job because I know I am qualified to do it. I'm sure you’re hiring me would increase your business. People would come just to see your Colored dining room hostess. I'd be a novelty, and when they saw my professionalism, word would spread. Of course if things went the other way, and I lost you business, I wouldn’t expect you to keep me.”
He said, “I’m sure you would give excellent service which everyone appreciates, but if I hired you, not only would I have to restaff the dining room, I'd have to restaff the entire hotel. These people would not work with you.”
I confidently and quietly said, "Well, I can’t fight you there." I smiled and thanked him for his honesty, and left.
Another frequent comment made to me by White people is, “You're not like them, you’re different." and I say, " Like whom?" and they say, "You know - them!" I say "No, I don't know, tell me!”
The conversation quickly changes with neither of us pursuing it further.
The White person realizes that this Black person does not feel complimented by the distinguishment shown her, from others in her race, as it places them in a bad light of unacceptability, and avoidance.
Lora Harrington-Pride
I submit this for the purpose of discussion, in particular for those of us who are unaware of some of the racism subtleties.
8/30/23