General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: When was the last time you discussed race and racism face-to-face with a person of another race? [View all]PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,966 posts)but over the years I've been fortunate enough to have African American friends who have been exceedingly tolerant of my ignorance (and probably racism) and who've been willing to educate me on that topic. Which I have appreciated enormously.
I now live in Santa Fe, NM, where many of the people I interact with are Hispanic, with some who are Native American. I try very hard to be aware of my white privilege, and my older white lady privilege (which is VERY obvious in a community where the moms and grandmoms are held in high esteem) and not take those privileges for granted.
In this state there really is very little racism directed at Hispanics or Native Americans, in no small part because they are such a large part of the landscape. Anglos like me are in the minority, but the various groups seem to get along quite well, and if there's discrimination I've never noticed it.
What I do notice is my Old White Lady privilege. It means when I get stopped for some traffic violation (not stopping properly at a stop sign, or speeding) I NEVER get a ticket, only a polite warning. When I'm in a grocery store check out line, about a third of the time the younger person in front of me will allow me to go in front. In that case my whiteness is irrelevant, it's the respect given to moms and grandmothers. When I go to another part of the country, I just don't get that preferential treatment.
I have tried very hard over the years to be completely open to dialogue about race, and I know that at times I've achieved that. I've at times been friendly to an African American who has clearly been startled by my behavior, but I honestly want to treat everyone the same, as if I didn't notice race. I wish I didn't, but alas, I do.