For years this is the one conversation I refused to have with myself. Racism is the topic that I never wanted to talk about because in doing so meant that I had to face the reality of an incident of racism which happened to me in the Spring of 1988. Though this incident continues to impact the lens through which I view mankind, I have only spoken openly about it on rare occasions.
I was a young ambitious US Army soldier stationed at Fort McClellan Army base located in Anniston Alabama. Recently moved to Alabama after completing my first duty station and overseas tour in South Korea, I was eager to advance my military career. As a person new to the area I was excited about the friendship and relationship possibilities which lie before me. While just recently purchasing my first car and learning how to drive a standard transmission all in the same momentum, I felt invincible.
One day after work, I decide to take a ride and venture off post to see the towns which surrounded the post (military base). Fort McClellan was located in close proximity of at lease 3 small cities, Anniston being the closest. Therefore my adventure would start in Anniston at a self-serve gas station/corner store. I had just got off work, therefore I was still in my duty fatigues. The well pressed olive green military fatigues adorned with my name, US Army designation, rank insignia and unit patch all displayed the personal pride I felt as a US citizen.
As I opened the door of the gas station, I greeted the gentlemen behind the counter. I was always taught, “It’s just nice to be nice”! So whenever I enter a place of business or someones home I showed the respect I felt about myself as a person, by showing respect to whom ever I came in contact with. So, now I’m in the store walking around looking for something to purchase as a snack for my adventure, when I noticed I was being watched.
As I continued to browse the store, I became unnerved by the constant vigilance of this individual’s perception. After a few moments I stopped, turned around and asked him if there was a problem and Why he was carrying a baseball bat while following me around in the store. His reply was that he was following me around just in case I wanted to steal something and the bat was in case there was trouble. After staring at him for a few moments in utter disbelief, I simply, without a word, left the store.
After getting into my car a leaving the store property, I drove back to base trying to rationalize what had just happened. Perhaps this man had been the victim of previous robberies and he wasn’t taking any chances. But wait… I’m a well groomed service member attempting to patronize this commercial establishment to help the local economy. My only misjudgment is thinking this white gentleman with a baseball bat could see a honest customer beyond the color of his skin.
The fact of the matter is that I tried to erase the impact of that day. But it became part off my existence. From that moment my trust level of authority figures of another race eroded. However, I was still able to comply with leadership, by respecting the position while despising the individual(s). And that’s not a healthy place to live from.
I remember driving up to the entrance gate of my military base where two white MPs (Military Police) were posted for duty, anticipating some sort of continuation of events. However, they were very disciplined and professional. They greeted me by rank, checked my ID and allowed me to pass with a “have a great evening”. As I drove through the gate with the guard shack dropping further and further back in my rear view mirror. I subconsciously placed the events of that night in the same context, isolated and in the past.
But in reality, that night is forever in the forefront of my existence. For at every time I hear of an African American male being harassed or murdered, I remember that day in order to empathize on a more personal level. No, I was not physically harmed or killed, but my self-worth as a perceived equal citizen was destroyed. Un-beknownced (country word) to me everything changed that evening, and I didn’t even realize it.
I have a personal perception and conviction concerning certain things that I don’t preach about but live in response to. One is the fact that I don’t identify myself as being black. I don’t make this statement, trying to be pretentious but rather looking at the truth of reality. This cultural awaking happen when I first became a grandfather. I was enjoying a moment with my granddaughter Malia and we were coloring with crayons. While reaching for the brown crayon I noticed it was laying beside a black crayon and the awaking happened.
I remember asking myself who said we are black and why do we continue to believe it when every morning we see a brown or a shade of brown complexion in the mirror. How can I as an educator, parent, grand-parent and leader teach others to be true to themselves and their instruction to others when I continue to live under the lie imposed on me by generational compliance. I am a Brown man of African decent. I’m not black or any shade thereof. Black and Brown are two very distinctly different colors. Black is truly beautiful and today Brown will be bold!
The travesties imposed on the African-American community is a continued example of the mentality by which any mistreatment will be verbalized but no substantial change will materialize.
I was asked a very thought provoking question, how I feel when a African-American male is targeted. My answer in that moment was so far from the truth. I replied… I simply internalize it. The fact of the matter is that I had shut down, not giving myself permission to feel anything. However, as I laid down later that night thinking about that conscious piercing question, I had to own my feeling. Admitting that silent is more destructive than rampant looting.
Yes, I have been impacted by racism on several occasions, but chose to stick my head in the proverbial sand lying to myself about not having a voice. When the truth is, the only voice with no power is the voice which chooses not to speak! From this moment forward I will join with the voices of African-American and Minority men who will no longer tolerate the blatant unjust behavior within our communities. My voice may be small, but it’s necessary!!