by Meghann

Created on: June 02, 2008

OK, so racism is completely over rated lately. Whatever happened to that saying, "If you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all." I grew up in Alaska. My friends, neighbors, church congregation were mostly made up of military families, Slope workers (oil field), and a few natives here and there. I moved to Charleston South Carolina when I was thirteen years old and I was slapped in the face with ignorance. I cannot believe that 1 person would call another person such vulgar names. More than that, I cannot believe the arrogance I witness on a daily basis. I am white, just to clarify. The arrogance of which I speak is from the "African-American" race. Not to be condescending or anything but the quotations are for the simple fact that if one is born in America and is a person of color then guess what, that person is American. I am part Danish, Irish, and Welsh but I don't say all that and then tag "-American" on the end of it. It seems to me that labels are put on people for the simple manipulative purposes of self entitlement. Seriously, this is a question my eight (8) year old son asked me, "Mommy? You know how February is Black history month? Well, when is white history month?" Could it BE any clearer? I never understood why an entire month was dedicated to it. I am extremely proud of Martin Luther King Jr. What he did for our nation was nothing short of a wake up call! He was the leader of probably the biggest turning point in our nation's history and what an example of personal strength! I have always been inspired by his story and his speeches. I have always enjoyed the stories of Harriet Tubman and the underground railroad, Rosa Parks and the white man on the bus - they are all examples of integrity and self worth. Exactly what I want my kids to know, but I don't want them to ONLY know in February. I also don't want them to think any less of their heritage because there is no white history month. Why don't we have Asian history months? Native American history months? Why is it always a question of Black vs. White?

My son is one of the two white kids in his class and feels no division. Kids are so oblivious to that kind of stuff until adults point it out. My kids have all been on W.I.C. or Medicaid at some point or another and so I have spent a lot of time in health department offices. Speaking in terms of majority - why is it that African American women and their children are dressed to the nines in name brand clothing, hair is done, nails

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