The last few months have been tough for so many, but the last 2 weeks have been especially hard for some. With the passing of George Floyd and renewed attention on the mistreatment in black America, it makes me think of my two children. Both of my children are bi-racial and are not defined by either side. For now they are innocent of the bias and hatred that permeates so deeply in our society today.
I was raised to be intolerant and see race in everything around me. I won’t go into details about the teachings, but let me assure you it started early. It is still hard for me to not see race when I look at other humans still at almost 45. With that said, it does not mean that I harbor that learned hatred and bias still today.
I think the awareness of difference is engrained deep within our DNA. The question is what does that awareness mean to you. Generalizing or stereotyping a group based on the actions of a few is so easily done, but rarely holds true. For example, I have worked with only one black man in engineering in the last 2 decades. It was easy to extrapolate that fact to thinking that there was not that many black men in tech let along black women. It is amazing to see on Twitter and the blogosphere how many there are doing great things and lifting each other up.
My wife frequently reminds me that my children will be seen as black, but I have never seen them in that way. They are just two beautiful and handsome brown kids. The recent events has created a new reality for me in that the challenges that my kids will have because of their heritage. I am left with the realization that so many black families must have to go through trying to teach their child about the world and how to navigate it successfully. That is a sad reality that stains the innocence of childhood for so many.
I hope that the energy and attention to George Floyd’s death and the death of countless others will resonate in the non-black communities and translate to real change at the voting booth. I know we can do better! So let’s.
It's just me 