Heather Fisk.
Growing up as the ‘white girl’ in a predominately African American neighborhood was very difficult for me. I received constant bullying from the girls in the neighborhood, constantly belittling from the boys by being called rude and degrading names. My parents did their best to comfort me, but most nights I would cry myself to sleep because their words echoed in my head so loud I couldn’t hear myself think. My parents taught me that the color of someone’s skin doesn’t make them a bad person, it’s who they are on the inside that matters most. As I got older, I realized this is true. There are so many bad people of EVERY race/color. I was raised not to see skin color, but to see a person’s soul, what’s on the inside, and for that I thank my parents. As an adult, I truly do not see the color of someone’s skin…I see the pain in their eyes, or the scar they might have on their arm. That tells me they have not had an easy life, same as me, and I simply smile in passing or say ‘hello’ instead of turning my head as if they don’t exist, or clinch my purse (which I still do not understand).
I have raised my 3 sons the exact same way…look inside someone, get to know them and do not judge solely based on someone’s skin color. Skin color doesn’t matter, anyone can be a bully.
Back to my childhood, I did not know it at the time, but all that bullying, all those hurtful, untrue words made me the strong woman I am today. I am not saying I am perfect by any means, I suffer from MDD (major depressive disorder), anxiety and insomnia. Part of it is from the bullying I endured as the ‘white girl’ and some due to other trauma in my young adulthood.
Bottom line is, just because I’m white doesn’t mean I’m a racist. I believe in equality, humanity and love just like you.
