My Daughter is Black

 

In light of the newest incident where an unarmed black man was killed, I can no longer muffle the words I have been longing to say. No, I do not have an opinion on this because "I date a black man therefore I think I'm black." I have an opinion because sadly, I live in a world where I have to fear that my biracial daughter is going to be subjected to irrational violence and cruel words simply because her skin color is slightly darker.

There’s something that a vast majority of white people suffer from that I refer to as ISOS or Ignorant Superior Opinion Syndrome. This means that these people feel their opinions are superior even though they are completely ignorant to the real facts. This is pretty ironic considering the definition of the 'N' word is an ignorant person. Clearly not all white people suffer from this because I am white, and I am stating my opinion based on facts.

I am continuously hearing remarks regarding these murders that are quite astonishing, but there is one in particular I want to comment on.

"This is not about race."

These murders have EVERYTHING to do with race. No, not every shooting was done because the man behind the gun was racist. Not every cop thought, "This man is black, I hate black people, so I'm going to shoot him since I am a cop, and it will be justified." However, every cop was more "on their toes" because the man they were pursuing was black. Black Americans have this stereotype hovering over their head that all black Americans are dangerous criminals, or have the potential to be such. Had these men been white, these cops would not have felt so threatened or anxious behind the trigger. That makes these cases prejudice cases.

These such cases are racial because to the oppressed (Black Americans) it has ALWAYS been about race. It’s the reason doors are locked when a black person is approaching. Even though white people are 6 times more likely to be murdered by a white person than by a black person. It's the reason remarks such as "A black man took my job” are made. Even though the only reason he was hired over you is either because he was more qualified or because racial quotas have to be put in place to protect the black community. Or the infamous, “I’m tired of working so hard so black people can sit on their ass and collect welfare.” Even though the percentage of white Americans on welfare and black Americans on welfare only differs by 1 percent. It's the reason why a financial aid advisor cops an attitude with a black person who wants more money for tuition. Even though based on statistics this race should be qualified for more aid than others.

White people don’t know what it’s like to constantly wear the very reason of their judgement.  Because for white people it has never been about race; we have never been discriminated against because of our skin tone, so we find it unbelievable that black people are always throwing the race card around. But these oppressed people are only practicing what we, as white people, have taught them.

Unfortunately, race will continue to be an issue throughout my life and even my daughters. People need to open their eyes. I am continuously told that race is not an issue; that no one cares that my boyfriend is black and we have a mixed daughter. What these people don’t hear are these comments being made, and they don’t see the looks and stares we receive in public.

This is about my daughter’s life. I know I can’t protect her from everything, but it scares me to death that the color of her skin will determine so many things for her in her life. I want to protect her from everything, but this is the one thing that makes her and me different. I am white; and clearly so. Though she is half white, her skin color does not indicate that clearly. It shouldn’t matter. The color of her skin is beautiful, and that’s all it is. How could anyone not see that?

I don’t expect to change the world, but if I can get one person to understand; I will be immensely happy. My daughter is going to be at the forefront of this, but she’s never going to be alone.