Francis Skony,
Chicago, IL.

Being an almost 40 year old man from Chicago, I’ve always grown up with a melting pot of friends, acquaintances, co-workers. I do not judge anyone by their race – I will have an opinion based on how some present themselves to the world. If you have no respect and no manners for others, regardless of your race – how do you expect me to have any respect back? You look at me, and think that I somehow lead some sort of charmed life because I am a White man, where from my point of view, I have had less privilege because I am not a minority.

I had a rough split family life. I had trouble in school, but I still worked hard to make it through. There were no scholarships so that I could go to college just because of the color of my skin. I never got a job just because I was a white guy, and I see more and more that because companies want to be “Diverse” that that means – Look at any candidate but a White man. (And this was actually done for a high level position in my company). I have worked as hard as I could for every scrap I could get Usually surrounded by Minorities and Women, and still can’t get ahead – But I really try to never feel negative about it. I actually am a member of my company’s Black Business Resource Council, and our Diversity Council, because I truly enjoy working with, and learning from all of the people that I can – But I can also tell that people of different races look down on me, even as I try to engage – thinking I am not genuine. I grew up in diversity – and I hate the reverse racism that I am constantly faced with.

As I get older, it is more of a struggle to NOT succumb to becoming racist myself back at them. It is hard for me to understand how it is somehow all my fault because I am a White man. Black kids don’t apply themselves and do well in schools – It’s my fault as a white man, or because the white mayor doesn’t care about the Black kids – Not because the parents aren’t pushing their children. Black Kids shoot each other in their neighborhoods, and it’s my fault because I am a white man, not because their parents aren;t making sure they are in by curfew.

Can’t get a job? my fault because I am a white man, not because you present yourself like a thug or a hoochie girl.. Maybe if we just realized that we are all PEOPLE, going through the same struggles…That I had to go to the neighborhood Public School same as you. That I struggled in school – same as you. That I have struggled in work, just like you – I have been fired unfairly – just like you. I am scared of Cops – just like you. But instead of making an excuse out of any of it – I try to work harder, to find a better way, to be law abiding and respectful. To constantly improve, and to engage, and to see everyone as people just like me. I feel sometimes though, that no effort is made back towards me in return and I have to suffer the slings and arrows of History- Just because I am a White Man