Racism is taught. That's why it's come to this. Really it's class warfare being craftly repackaged into a problem - solution - profit system for the upper class that runs everything to their benefit. Both people, on both sides of the argument, regardless or race, are guilty of taking the bait and that's why it continues to remain effective even in 2023.

You're not allowed to cite the things that make us common nor unite us together as a species. We're only allowed to talk about our differences and what separates us as a species. I grew up in a lower middle class family. Both my parents had to work to provide for three children, we didn't go to great schools, we didn't live in great areas. My parents did the best they could.

Often times than not. I spent most of my childhood around a wide variety of children. Black, Asian, Latin and White. Didn't matter. We were all kids growing up in the 90's and early 00's and all we cared about was who had the most pogs, coolest slammers, the best Pokemon card collection, the best toys, the new shoes, the new books, etc.

Nobody gave two [BLEEP] and a solid [BLEEP] about race where I was growing up during those times. I had a really good friend who was black growing up. It was just him and his Mom for the most part. His mom was military so they bounced around quite a bit but he was always good friend to me and so was his Mom. It never occurred to me that race played a role in anything we did. I grew up next to a cool family from South Korea. Always had them over for dinner, their son, about my age, he stayed the night almost every other weekend during summer.

Again, race just never seemed to come up.

BUT.... it was right around 2003 when I started seeing "it". Right when I entered my freshman year of high school at Sandalwood. You saw "it". And by "it" I mean the obvious. You had your stereotypical clicks from the 1980's and 1990's movies. Which I thought was a joke, [BLEEP] you only see in movies. Because in elementary school and middle school I NEVER saw that. Again, had a wide variety of friends of all colors, creeds, etc. We all hung out in the same groups, it was more about who was the closest neighbor or friend you had. Again, race did not play a part.

But, back to high school. You saw it. You had your jocks, you had your preppy rich white girls, you had your goths holed up in a corner, you had your nerds (often times, mixed group of everybody, regardless of race) and then you had all your black folks hanging out in one area and white folks hanging out in another area. Same went for Asians and Latinos.

I have a "unique" look. So to speak. I have very, very dark features. Dark black hair, dark brown eyes, I can get really red in the summer if I want to if I am not careful. I often times get mistaken as Spanish or Middle Eastern but in truth, I am predominately of German, Scottish, Irish, Dutch and Polish descent. I have "some" Minorcan heritage in my blood from my Mother's side of the family and that's about it. From our St. Augustine ties here in Florida. But, I had no problem blending in with everybody. I didn't have the strongest situation at home with my parents at that time, was ashamed and embarrassed to bring anybody over to my apartment. My parents had their problems. Mom, in particular, with alcoholism and my Dad, a bad temper because of financial and mental gymnastics going on then.

I would click with anybody. I didn't care. I didn't give a [BLEEP]. I even grew up around racist [BLEEP] people within my own family from both sides. They're quick to say the same negative things about white trailer trash folks though or Rednecks just like they would if a person of color cut them off on the street or said something they didn't like or fit a "stereotype". That's just the way it was. I had to fight my whole life, and even now at 35, just blocking that [BLEEP] out when I heard it, because it's family, and I can't change that.

I feel bad for my cousin. She's the oldest. Probably got the worst of it all because she fell in love with a black man (really, a good man, he really is a cool dude even though he's a Steelers fan). I never had any problems with that. I had my flings in high school outside of my race. Sometimes my family knew about it. Sometimes I kept it hush-hush in fear of being kicked out or judged. Still think about this girl from my freshman year. Good god she was FINE AS HELL. Black and Filipino. I used to get kicked in the [BLEEP] and snatched from teachers all the time in the hallways because we were always on each other like magnets. LOL. I couldn't keep my hands off her man.

She was my intellectual counterpart at that time. Me and her would just click, and click and click and click on everything subject wise. Her dad was also military. Navy. So, they ended up moving away that summer anyway but I still think about her from time to time. Was happy my Mom got to meet her at least a few times. She liked her at least. But, sorry man. Trying not to ramble on too much. I am just speaking from experience as well.

It's taught, for sure, it's taught. It's taught at home first and foremost but it's now being taught in schools in a way that promotes self hatred for white people and victimhood for minorities. [BLEEP] I never had to go through personally in school. Thankfully. But, I can tell you with my three year old son, that, I am going to ensure he's raised properly. I won't discourage him from branching out and interacting with anybody he feels a connection with. It's stupid to close your mind off from people based on the color of their skin. Focus on what unites us, not what divides us. That's the key. It's always been the key.

If you catch yourself getting mad, slipping, ask yourself "Why am I feeling this way? Saying these things? Internally and externally?". Often times you'll realize it's deeply rooted from some place and time that has no business being in your life anymore. Easier said than done for most. I know. But, it's doable if you try.

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