Subtle but real
Thank you for introducing me to the term racial microaggression. (“Everyday racism; the racist in all of us” Dec. 12 cover story) As a Filipino who moved to Chicago (a diverse, yet very segregated city), I had wondered how to define my encounters with subtle racial indignities.
Many times when I enter an establishment I tend to be “ignored, overlooked or racially-profiled.” For example, with a bag of gifts in tow, I attended a house party in Lakeview. When I checked in at the lobby desk, the doorman asked if I were there for a delivery. I had to correct him that I was there as a guest and internally wondered if he would have asked the same thing if I hadn’t been a person of color.
Recently, I visited a Best Buy to purchase a digital camera, and despite perusing the cameras for 30 minutes on my own, not once did the salesperson acknowledge my presence or assist me, yet he assisted and introduced himself to other customers, including those who just arrived.
Now, were their actions unintentional? I don’t know, but I do know I didn’t feel welcomed nor received equal service. Am I being sensitive? Maybe. However, it’s hard to describe the feeling when encountering these “innocent oversights,” especially to members of privileged groups.
Mind you, privilege comes in different forms, colors, genders, etc., so anyone can experience subtle discrimination. Only through discussion, exposure and education can these subtle indignities be corrected.
MARK R. MARTELL, 32, LAKEVIEW
It goes both ways
The cover story is titled “The racist in all of us,” yet the columns only talk about whites being racist. Do people actually feel that whites aren’t stereotyped and even discriminated against? A major reason racism is still alive is because if little things do happen, people quickly jump to the conclusion that it was racially motivated.
Everyone has been cut in line: White, black, purple, orange. The color doesn’t matter; people are just more ignorant these days. I’m not saying that there isn’t racism, but it is a two-way street.
MATT CHOVANEC, 25, JEFFERSON PARK
Happy couple
I agree that racism is here. Sometimes it’s obvious and sometimes it’s hidden. However, it goes both ways. For example: Every morning my partner and I (he’s black; I am white) wait for the bus in the morning to go to work. Every time the bus comes, the bus drivers stop right in front of him! We’ve switched positions on how we stand, but nothing changes. There is definitely some favoritism going on. We think it’s actually kind of funny. But then, like you said, those little things can be hurtful.
We also noticed that we get looks (dirty ones) because we are an interracial couple. He, believe it or not, gets the dirtiest looks from other black people. I get looks from white people sometimes, but not as bad has he does. Sometimes I feel that no one in this country wants us to get closer. But we don’t care. We’re happy and they are miserable.
STEFAN KLENK, 36, LAKEVIEW
Racism is learned
I recognize and admire the aim of “The racist in all of us,” but I believe media such as this further perpetuates racism in our country. The main point this article fails to mention is that racism is learned. I can remember as a child, coming to the realization that certain people didn’t like certain people based on race, and it did not make sense to me (as it still does not).
Mass media try to continually remind us of how we are different, separate, alone and defenseless in the world, but the truth is we are all one, and every individual on this planet is a beautiful and powerful being. We must remember this truth, because it seems to me almost everyone has forgotten it.
I am sure I have been offended in small ways by people of every origin imaginable, and likewise, I have surely wronged people of every origin. I really think it has little to do with racism, but more with the business of our lives, stress or other factors, when dealing with micro-racism.
However, I believe macro-racism is a problem. When we all learn to unlearn the negative concepts taught to us by society and media, and surrender to the only truth, the absolute truth, which is absolute love, we will see through the absurdities of lies such as racism and hate, and the world will truly know peace.
BILL MARZANO, 23, SOUTH LOOP
