The Specials, "Racist Friend" (1983)

Every so often I pull this song out and listen to it, and strengthen my resolve. In the 90s I cut loose some folks because they didn’t approve of me having gay friends or white friends or Jewish friends or whatever their intolerance was. I didn’t regret it; ultimately it meant being able to bring more people together when I did have gatherings without someone having "issues”.
[media=https://youtu.be/gqH_0LPVoho]

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

I don't really know why, yet while had known of such people, I never considered them my friends.

I suspect it was because I grew up with a variety of different people. And learned how to stay away from racists types of people.

Possibly my father as well had a lot to do with it. He never was a racist.

bijouxbroussard · F

@DeWayfarer My parents were the same. I grew up seeing all kinds of people welcomed into our home, it was perfectly normal.

When I went away to college at an HBCU, I encountered people like my roommate who were shocked to see white friends in my photo album. They couldn’t imagine ever having white friends.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@bijouxbroussard I suspect it's because my father took me everywhere as well. I do mean everywhere all over California. Even Sacramento. You could find us in Korea town just as well as in Watts. He worked in Santa Ana. Three different races right there.

Please note my father didn't drive after being hospitalized. It was on foot, buses, taxis, trains or planes. Often a combination.

Yet all of that was why I was even allowed to fly to Germany by myself at 14.

My parents knew I could handle different situations. Street smart really doesn't describe my childhood. We even hiked in the mountains. Even in snow.