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Racism and racists in the U.S.
3.3.2009 0:00
Kirjoittajan kolumnit
I couldn't write a column explaining everything about racism in the U.S. because explaining it would require a whole library full of books. All I can do is tell you a little about my own experiences.
I grew up in the north and believe me, that does make a difference. When I was 10 we took a family trip to visit friends in Louisiana, which is what they call the Deep South. We learned that they had things like "the colored swimming pool" and "the colored line" in the grocery store (that was the word used back then, before "black" and "African American").
At that time (the 70s) there weren't signs anymore, but everyone knew what places were meant for whites and what ones were for coloreds. My dad caused a scene in a store by getting in the wrong line. People couldn't understand why he would want to do that and he couldn't understand why they wouldn't - it was much shorter than the other lines - and he didn't care a bit about rules on who should go where.
My kids are amazed by that story - yes, in my lifetime this was going on.
We learned the basics of race while very young, as they say you do. There are people with different-colored skin than we have but that doesn't make them any different. Pretty simple.
But learning about racists, that was a much harder lesson.
My family was torn apart by racism. My aunt married an African American, my grandparents and other aunt disowned her, and in my family we welcomed our new uncle.
The problem was that we and my grandparents lived in the same town and my dad and grandpa ran a business together. My mom also helped at the business, or she did until that point anyway. I think it was when we invited my aunt and uncle for a visit that she and Grandpa got into an argument and that was the end of her work with them.
It even caused arguments between my parents, some of the very few they've had. Then again, when you consider the issue, it's one of the most basic questions we all have to figure out at some point. It should cause discussion and arguments.
The question was this: OK fine, I know there are racists around and that is a bad thing. But what about when someone you love and respect turns about to be a racist of the worst sort? What are you supposed to do then?
Are you supposed to argue with them every time you can, telling them they're wrong? Are you supposed to stop talking to them because you don't agree with their viewpoint and you want to make sure they understand that?
Or should you make it clear you disagree, but live a good example by not being racist and by not letting their ideas change your ways, but anyway continue to love them, because there is really nothing you can do to change their ideas? That was the choice I had to make and the lesson I had to learn at the age of 12 or 13.
Vocabulary: Grocery store: ruokakauppa, Tear apart: repiä kahtia, Disown: kieltää jonkun
Finnhood: similar to "parenthood": the state of being a Finn. Mary Nurminen juhlii 20:ttä vuottaan Suomessa kirjoittamalla sarjaa suomalaisten perusolemuksesta.
