tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350445837735335125.post4241603794724461638..comments2015-08-03T15:41:15.431-05:00Comments on Diomande's Den: 48 Days, Then 49: One of the Good Ones (June 9-10, 2015)KDio1984http://www.blogger.com/profile/05035949435648470995noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350445837735335125.post-82888045589614465322015-06-19T15:04:20.483-05:002015-06-19T15:04:20.483-05:00I love you, Kasandra. I've said it before, but...I love you, Kasandra. I've said it before, but I will say it again. You are one of the most courageous people I know. I've read through this post several times, and have wanted to comment for a while, but I didn't know how to put words to all the thoughts swirling around in my head. Even now I'm nervous to say anything, because I'm afraid I will say something wrong, send a message I don't mean to communicate. I'm afraid I will lose your friendship as I fumble through my thoughts. <br /><br />I don't know how else to say this other than to just say it. I am white and I have spent 36 years on this planet ignorant of the privilege afforded to me because of the color of my skin. It's embarrassing honestly, and infuriating that I'm just now coming face to face with this truth that has been staring me in the face my whole life. Even as I type this I feel sick with embarrassment and anger at how blind I have been. <br /><br />I've been reading a lot of articles and blog posts about racism lately because I no longer want to live in ignorance. Everything I read makes me want to vomit. Vomit at my oblivion to this issue. Vomit at my privilege and the ease with which I have moved through life. Vomit as I start to have the smallest inkling of an idea of what Blacks in this country have to deal with EVERY DAY, the fear and injustice and so many other things I can't relate to. Mostly I want to vomit because I feel so overwhelmed with these new realizations and how powerless I feel to change anything. And then I want to vomit again because I feel ashamed that I'm just now even beginning to think about this huge, important, unbelievable issue. <br /><br />After all of that I then I want to cry because, well, I love you and can't believe that we lived together for 4 years and I was so clueless and ignorant and I wonder what that must have been like for you. I'm sorry if I hurt you. I'm sorry because I know I probably said things that were racist. I won't even try to justify any of that by saying I didn't know better because I SHOULD have known better.<br /><br />I hope after reading this you will still want to be my friend, but most of all I'm glad you are finding your voice, and I'm glad I am opening my eyes.<br /><br />Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06159584075070564569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350445837735335125.post-12765202188974939062015-06-14T20:39:55.824-05:002015-06-14T20:39:55.824-05:00This honest voice you have, it's one of the go...This honest voice you have, it's one of the good ones. <br />Always rich, still maturing.<br />With growing volume and resonating timbre.<br /> P.S. I remember too.C. Craytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13859337665577351891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350445837735335125.post-45401773223644524262015-06-11T06:55:57.315-05:002015-06-11T06:55:57.315-05:00Thank you for having the courage to share your exp...Thank you for having the courage to share your experiences. Some of us never have the courage to ask questions and understand/appreciate differences in others. It makes me sad to see that people are treated so differently just because of the color of their skin. I wish we could all be appreciated as beautiful daisies.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11221200623251501097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350445837735335125.post-552213869353127822015-06-10T09:15:43.779-05:002015-06-10T09:15:43.779-05:0049 is an awesome age to do anything. Enjoy the jo...49 is an awesome age to do anything. Enjoy the journey into indulgence and excess. Ripping the bandage away is actually the hardest part. I too remember the West Campus incident and others...I think that one day, those will be a thing of the past but I am not so sure when one day will come.Chrischerylnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350445837735335125.post-15553007550011546812015-06-10T07:19:16.730-05:002015-06-10T07:19:16.730-05:00Thanks for sharing your feelings. "Maybe they...Thanks for sharing your feelings. "Maybe they are having a bad day." I think that way too. I didn't share mine for a long time and it is paralyzing. When people are insensitive, dismissive, or rationalize racist comments they simply preserve the old way this country operated. There is more to why kids misbehave no matter the color. Privilege and history affects kids, adolescents and adults.Emahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06428130943778635615noreply@blogger.com