I guess it’s time for me to address the big white elephant in the room. Race, racism, hatred and hurt. I intentionally avoid topics like this for a couple of reasons. One, because I’m in the media and two because I don’t believe my 2 cents are really going to change someone’s opinion, but here I go…
Let me start by saying these are Freda’s opinions. I’m not speaking for all black people, all minorities or all anybody…just Freda.
To say that I am hurt and saddened by so many events that have taken place so openly in OUR United States over the past several months is an understatement. Saddened and hurt, but unfortunately not surprised. There is no surprise because these incidents have taken place for years under the cloak of darkness. The hatred didn’t go away because of desegregation it just went underground. Cell phones and other forms of social media are bringing it to light.
Several years ago Rick Hadley and I produced a series on racism and many of the people we interviewed said they didn’t see color and I thought that was a good thing, but now I’m not so sure. Maybe we do need to see color and know that it’s okay to be a different race. Maybe you need to recognize that I am black, but I’m also smart, I use proper English, I dress professionally, I don’t use the “N” word, I grew up in a household with two parents, I’m funny, kind, generous and helpful.
Many of my friends on Facebook have asked what they can do to change things. I guess my answer is speak up when you see injustices, don’t let your buddy tell the racially insensitive joke and be proactive in telling your children that the kid who doesn’t look like them is okay.
We teach our children to stay away from drugs, not text while driving and other lessons, but do we make sure that they know it’s wrong to judge someone because of their color? The racists are sharing their racist beliefs with their children. Are you sharing your message of inclusiveness and respect with yours?
I was driving down I-635 this weekend and saw a sign encouraging me not to talk, text and drive and I thought maybe there should be signs that say “Don’t be a Racist” “Love Your Neighbor” “Don’t Hate People Who are Different.” Maybe those are the messages that should be on signs and billboards. Sounds crazy, but maybe we shouldn’t assume the message is getting out there.
Are things better in our society…YES, but are things where they need to be? In my opinion NO!!
Freda Ross
