As I grew up I was never exposed to much diversity. I attended a private Lutheran school, which I don't believe we had much diversity in it. The neighborhoods I grew up in were all caucasian if I remember correctly. I didn't have many friends but the ones I did have were also caucasion. My exposure to people of color was limited to what I saw on TV or while out with my parents. I was never told that people who were different then me were any less then me. I never looked down at a person of color.
Later in my teenage years we moved to LaSalle, Colorado and it's predominant hispanic community. I began to hear the words that were used to disparage those of hispanic culture. "Spic", "Wetback" and "Beaner", were said freely in social gatherings and even in school. I never heard the word "nigger" until I had left home and was in the military.
Even after I had left home for the military, did I really think about people of color as "people of color". They were just people, humans. Something changed though. I won't say that I had become racist to the point we are seeing today. I found myself falling into the part of the gay community that would only date, have sex with, or socialize with someone of their own "race". I honestly didn't even realize it had happened until now. I would say things like, "I don't like black guys because chocolate makes me break out." I simply wasn't attracted to them sexually, or even non-sexually. I am not sure why. It just wasn't something I liked.
As I got older and wiser I began to see men of color as more then just the shade of their skin. I began to see beauty, thanks to RuPaul, Gary Dourdan, and others. I got to know men of hispanic decent and I got to see them for their culture. I am proud to call many men of various "races" my friends. From the darkest to the lightest shades of skin. We are all still HUMAN.
Later in my teenage years we moved to LaSalle, Colorado and it's predominant hispanic community. I began to hear the words that were used to disparage those of hispanic culture. "Spic", "Wetback" and "Beaner", were said freely in social gatherings and even in school. I never heard the word "nigger" until I had left home and was in the military.
Even after I had left home for the military, did I really think about people of color as "people of color". They were just people, humans. Something changed though. I won't say that I had become racist to the point we are seeing today. I found myself falling into the part of the gay community that would only date, have sex with, or socialize with someone of their own "race". I honestly didn't even realize it had happened until now. I would say things like, "I don't like black guys because chocolate makes me break out." I simply wasn't attracted to them sexually, or even non-sexually. I am not sure why. It just wasn't something I liked.
As I got older and wiser I began to see men of color as more then just the shade of their skin. I began to see beauty, thanks to RuPaul, Gary Dourdan, and others. I got to know men of hispanic decent and I got to see them for their culture. I am proud to call many men of various "races" my friends. From the darkest to the lightest shades of skin. We are all still HUMAN.
No comments:
Post a Comment