Blog 2
Racism and sexism you, me we all deal with it someday somehow. I used to think being a female was hard enough try being an African American female. This world was made to glorify white women or people, but me I don’t get that I’m stuck between letting people step all over me because I’m black or step all over me because I’m a female this really gets under my skin especially when people think they can use this against me. I don’t understand why men think being a female make some you weaker than the average male or pity u, I don’t understand why I still go to school and get asked by another person if they can say the N word. By all means say it not around me though that word hurts, that word reflects my history and they just wanna say it like it’s funny. When I say no does that mean nothing to them? When show that I’m strong too do they not see it?
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Reading that you have to deal with such ignorance yet you keep onward into your fight for Your Rights that you shouldn’t even have to fight for is exhilarating. I’m amazed that someone asked you if they could use a racial slur.
In Vermont, it’s hard to find racism in our cornfield of a state, but there is. Honestly, people aren’t smart enough to understand cultural and physical boundaries. It’s so obvious how stupid these generations have become, BOTH young and old, its crazy! The disrespect that’s given to women of color isn’t and should never be tolerated! It’s like people are blind to the apparent impact it has on your community but still continue running into a wall.
I hope this is something you’d continue throughout this program.
Minelle,
First, I really like the quote that you chose for your featured image. To me, it seems like a statement of your strength.
Second, I’ve observed that both your blog posts have referenced your experiences in school. You mention several overt and obvious racist and sexist incidents in this post, but I wonder if you’ve observed subtler forms of racism and/or sexism? For example, two years ago, the What’s the Story group I worked with looked at sexism in schools. One moment from their documentary that has stuck with me is when a French teacher talks about the sexism portrayed in the textbook she uses. The book always seemed to have men working and women staying home with kids. The teacher realized she was unintentionally perpetuating stereotypes by using the examples in the book. Long story, but have you seen things like this in your school? Perhaps, history class covering only dead, white men, or reading books only by white or male authors, or classes being talked about as only for boys or girls or athletes. Changing people can be really hard work, changing systems can be slightly easier, and if you can make change within a system, such as school, you may also end up changing the people who pass through the system.
Erik
Hi Minelle,
I was so moved by your post. I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like for you in school and in Vermont. So many Vermonters pretend (or believe?) that racism doesn’t exist here, but all the evidence–and experiences like yours–show that is not true. I was struck by last weekend’s Saturday Night Live skit about racism in Vermont–how they are trying to use humor to highlight a huge problem in our state. The intersection of racism and sexism in your own experience adds another layer. Are there currently student groups/clubs in your school that are helping to address these issues? If so, how is that going? I also wonder if you have any suggestions for schools as they begin this difficult work of recognizing and then combatting racism and sexism?
Thanks,
Emily
Minelle,
Thank you for sharing your story. It is essential for educators like me in Vermont to hear stories such as yours to remind us the incredible pain occuring within our schools for so many of our students, as I’m sure your story does not occur in isolation. I am inspired everyday by individuals like you who take a risk to be vulnerable in order to raise awareness for so many others.
While the political climate in today’s world is often too offensive and devisive (I can only speak for myself), I find light in the those who have found their voice amongst the chaos for those who were previously silenced. Particularly voices like Angie Thomas and Tomi Adeyemi (a graduate from my high school) whose stories have added depth to an important narrative. I watched a fascinating TED Talk today with a few students during FACEtime today called, “A black man goes undercover in the alt-right,” by Theo E.J. Wilson, which led to a reflective discussion on today’s tech full world and the power of listening to other people’s stories. I would love to know your thoughts as well.
Keep sharing!
Emily Gilmore
I like you feature image. Another students topic is Racism. Maybe you and he could talk about the issue you guys notice and it could help with your writing. He is part of what’s the story too.
Thanks,
Stephie