Being inside the "UT bubble" and my "home/neighborhood bubble" I never really think about these extreme cases of racism. Yes I've seen and experience racism and I know it exists, but its a case of "out of sight, out of mind" for me sometimes (is that bad to say?). Between the papers and all the exams, I forget real world problems. I like LaDon's talk because it reminded me that these old traditions and beliefs still exist. I see this in some of my family members to be honest. Mostly its the older generation in my family, they have grown up with preconceived notions of what each race "is" and have carried with them as they moved to the states. I remember one time my cousin brought his girlfriend, who was white, to last year's family Christmas party. His parents acted differently than they would have if compared to someone that would have been within their own race. It wasn't upfront, but I could tell they were guarded.
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I had a very terrifying experience tonight. I am just going to go straight into it since it is still fresh on my mind. The escalators at the grocery store I was at was designed so that the carts would stay still and not roll down. Anyhow, there was an elderly couple, a guy (with a cart), and three women in front of me. As we were as standing on the escalator waiting for the belt to bring us down, the elderly woman falls down the end! She got stuck at the end and the cart was being pushed into her body. I had no idea what was going and neither did anyone else until the guy in front of us fought his hardest to get the cart off of her. Things were flying everywhere and everyone behind the elderly woman had to walk backwards because the belt was feeding itself to the end.
We all were freaking out and there was a silent fear of what was going to happen. Fortunately the guy was able to pull the cart off the woman and get her up. I couldn't describe to you how I felt. I saw a fragile hand go up to signal that she was okay, but I was so scared. I have never been so scared for someone I did not know. As we all we down everyone had a sigh of relief. I wanted to thank the guy, but I was too shaken up. Her shoe was on the floor, but as I walked by I couldn't get myself to pick it up. I froze. My brain could not process what just happened and what would have happened if it were not for that guy. It happened so fast, but so slow. As I watched that guy throw his stuff on the floor, I noticed how his face showed so much compassion for this woman's well being. It was very humbling. Perhaps, I am reading into this too much, but I am so glad she is okay.
I apologize for the random chunks of thoughts, I am still trying to get over my food comas. Enjoy the rest of your holiday and happy shopping!
WOW! That experience at the grocery sounds super intense, I'm glad all are ok.
ReplyDeleteWhoa! Thanks for sharing that experience! It sounds terrifying, but thankfully it was taken care of quickly so that she was okay. Glad you're okay, too!
ReplyDeleteHmm, I share your sentiments about the UT bubble. Thank goodness we have a few classes that incorporate current events, or sadly I'd be completely oblivious to the outside world. We should probably work on that...haha
The way you described the story of what happened at the grocery store made me feel that I was going through the actual event. Good story telling!
ReplyDeleteI too thought back on the week we were talking about racism when Ladon brought of the topic about segregation in Mart. I don't think that it's bad for you to say that racism was "out of sight, out of mind" for you because you are just being honest with yourself. Most people don't even recognize that about themselves, let alone admit it. Before being educated about racism, it was the same way for me as well. If I didn't see racism then I didn't think about it or realize that it was there. But after taking a AFR class and this class it's opened my mind to have this "in sight, in mind". (If that makes sense)
I was also shocked at the stories that LaDon told on monday. Its mind boggling to think that people still see the world in those views and why they keep thier views.
ReplyDeleteIm glad the elderly lady was able to walk away ok! Thankfully someone was there to help her.
I also feel like this class has kept me up to date with social justice issues that are happening, and it has really put into perspective that these are issues that are happening now and that need to be spoken about and put into action now.