An Unjust Judgement: A Response to a Racial Discussion From a Blonde, Blue-Eyed, White Skinned, Midwestern Girl

I understand that I have been raised with a different cultural education than many people who come from the area I was born and raised in. I was raised in a multicultural family, and in this family I learned a few different things. Regionalism: to judge people by which region of the world, or country they come from. Ethnocentrism: to judge others of a different culture with the values of your culture. I know I am not a minority, I know I live a comfertable life in a very "sheltered" place in a community that isn't very diverse.

There are also a few other things I know:

I know what its like to go to a place where I am the only white person that anyone has ever seen in person. I know what it is like to be made fun of for the color of my skin. I know what its like to be harassed for the color of my eyes. I know what its like to be touched inappropriately because of the color of my hair. I know what its like to feel rocks against my skin, thrown  hard enough to bring up bruises. I know what its like to be followed by those who only want to see me cry. I know what its like not to be allowed to go somewhere or do something because of the color of my skin. I know what its like to be afraid to walk down the street by myself. I know what is like to need an escort to go buy juice. I know what its like to have a family who hates me because of the color of my skin. I know what its like to be afraid of being beheaded to make a point. I know what its like to have a family member kidnapped for 2 years because of who we are. I know what is like to be afraid to go out after dark. I know what its like to wonder if my mother will come home in one piece. I know what its like to wonder if my pre school age sister will get stolen from me. I know what its like to wonder if its safe to let my teenage brother out of sight. I know what its like to lose sleep because I dont know if my family will make it to the end of the week safely.

However, before class on Wednesday I didnt know what it felt like to be judged by a well educated adult because of where I was raised. I didnt know what it was like to be told I was "sheltered" and that I didnt know what it was like to live in a "real town". I didnt know what it was like to be told that because of where I was from that I uncultured. I didnt know that I could be so...unjustly judged because of where I live.

Now I do.