Growing Up in a Prejudice Family as Children

Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., Letter from a Birmingham Jail, 1963

I never thought about being prejudice against any religion, color or anything in my life. It has occurred to me that I was brought up to be prejudice against African American's. I am in no way prejudice of anyone or anything today.

Let me explain what I mean. I can remember growing up in the middle of nowhere Indiana. We did not have African American's anywhere near us. I was in the middle of farm country. If we were to see an African American we had to go to the big city about 45 minutes away. I remember seeing the African American's for the first time at the Mall and mom rushing us the other way. I was probably in kindergarten.

The children's song that you teach your children, about catching the tiger by the toe, well I was taught to catch a n---- by the toe and let him go when he screamed. I knew no difference until I was an adult. Also those little black dirt specks that babies get in their cute rolls, they were called n--- babies in our house. Its a shame that this was taught to us children. I never knew it was wrong.

All the schools I went to were all white, I was surrounded by white. I had my first encounters with the African American culture when I was placed in the orphanage. Then I learned about reverse prejudice. I was the one that they were making fun of and laughing at because I didn't fit into there culture. I was very confused.

I then can remember my father and grandfather talking about the new family moving into town and they were the wrong color. I remember them talking about how they would not stay long. They would be run out of town, they would help. I thought nothing of how wrong that was. To me it was natural.

Then as a teen, we had a family at our church who was white that had adopted an African-American son. Mom and Dad were good friends with his parents. We had been to their house several times and been places together as families. Their son had asked me out to pizza just as friends, no big deal. I thought nothing of it. My mom and dad threw a fit. They said it was not right and I could not go out with him. I could not understand why. He was just another boy to me. I guess that was my first time that I realized that they were prejudice against African-American.

I want everyone to know I carry no prejudice, I think that is morally wrong to be prejudice against another human being for any reason. I have brought up my children to love all people. Its just so easy to be prejudice and not realize it. I was brought up in that manner and did not realize it until years later. I wonder if my parents still feel that way today or if they have changed their views. One does not have to downright hate the other race its the little remarks that make the big differences. I know I was made fun for being white.

My prayer is that all races get along this season and all races forget their differences. I don't want to be prejudice and I hope that you don't either.