As I watch the news daily and see how the Black Lives Matter movement is protesting all over the world for justice I wondered for the longest what should I say or how should I say it? Then I thought about how for years when someone felt uncomfortable around me or didn't give me an opportunity because of the color of my skin I would say to myself its only skin.
Do I personally know George Floyd, Breonna Taylor or Ahmaud Arbery.....No but I do know racism feels and have companies deny you jobs, opportunities, and make assumptions about you because of the color of your skin. For years I tried to play it off and thought maybe its because I live in the south. As I watch daily so many people are angry and victims of racism. There are other countries protesting with the United States so I know its not just the South systematic racism is worldwide.
I know how it feels to take your to predominantly white private schools for a better education and parents hold their head down to keep from speaking to you or have a parents ask you about financial aid because they think that’s the only way your black child could attend this school. I know how it feels for your daughter not to feel welcomed because she is the only black girl in her class.
I know how it feels to send your children to a more diverse school but have school administrators look down on how and not help you if you financially because your child can't play a sport for them.
I know how it feels to try so hard to get a great corporate job with your two degrees and get turned down over and over again because of the color of your skin. I know how it feels to work in a predominantly white environment as a Sales Administrator want a promotion never get it and see 6 figure white sales reps never interview a black person and label you lazy when you ask for an opportunity. I know how it feels to have people lock their doors when your black husband walks past their car. I know how it feels for white parents not to want their children to have play dates with your black child but allow your black child to visit their house for a play date. I know how it feels to fight so hard for a career and opportunities as a black female entrepreneur so you can provide a better life but only to get knocked down because of the color of your skin.
I feel the pain of everybody out there protesting for equality because cowards choose to hate because of a skin color. I am tired of masking my pain by saying to myself “Its only skin.” It hurts to see black people get killed because of the color of their skin. We have to do better as a country in order to see growth and true equality for everyone.
Even after the protest the looting if you are white and still don't understand or wondering if you are part of the problem or part of the solution ask yourself these questions.
Do you feel a certain way when you are near a black person especially one with tattoos?
Do you lock your doors or clinch your purse around a black person?
Does your entire staff look like you?
When its time to give assistance or opportunities are people of color included not just because they can play sports?
Are you okay with your white children playing with black children?
Do you make black people feel welcomed when around you?
Are all of the people in your contacts in your phone look like you?
Have you ever had coffee with a black person to see how they are doing, and hear their side of the story?
After you ask yourself these things I ask you again? Are you part of the problem or part of the solution.
The next time you feel a certain why or quick to deny someone because of the color of their skin I want you to remember its only skin!!!!
-Tamera