Letters to the Editor
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racism cuts both ways
I was disappointed Heather didn't talk about the experience of the black family dressed up as white. Certainly, I never see an exploration of whites' experiences in a black neigbhorhood. As a white woman living in Harlem, I can tell you that if the only racism i had experienced while living here was someone telling me that I would be accepted because I wasn't like "other whites" I'd cheer. My first few months here I got rather obnoxious racist comments from people (yes black people) on the street. A few were nice though - as in "welcome to Harlem" or a sweet older woman assuming I was visiting offering me directions. Lately, the comments have died down, I don't know if it's because there are more whites moving here, because the neighbors have gotten used to me. I was truly amazed what white men experienced here. A friend - a white male - was walking home from the subway in broad day light talking on the phone dressed in "business casual" (not exactly dripping in expensive clothes.) While my friend was minding his own business, a black teenager punched him and ran off. He didn't try to rob him or anything like that, he just punched him. I'm sure if it was the reversed skin color of black victim and white aggressor, there would be no doubt it was a hate crime, as I believe this was. I've walked through the tougher parts of Harlem on occasion with no problem and then walked through the same areas with my (white) boyfriend and was amazed at the dirty looks he got from black men. Racism cuts both ways. Frankly, my opinion is that yes, there is racism, and it hurts blacks more than whites in most cases, but it's economics and cultural norms that are keeping blacks down in more cases than racism. Growing up in an environment where education is villified, respect for one's environment and neighbors is missing and unhealthy habits from bad nutrition to unprotected sex and early pregnancy all are far worse detriments, whether the person is black or white. It happens that more blacks are living in those conditions. I see hard working black families doing their best to elevate their status economically and they're on their way. I live among plenty of blacks that have already made it. THe difference between the once who've made it and the once who haven't isn't the shade of their skin but the values they either grew up with or acquired.