I've been wondering lately if I had my choice would I prefer wealth in exchange for being black? So we're clear, my definition of rich for purposes of this discussion would be million dollar home paid for, lots of money in the bank and still working at a highly paid job that I could leave if I wanted to. Middle class would be decent home mortgaged, decent amount of money in the bank with a decently paid job that I have to have.
We live in a racist society and it's hard to consider living the life of a black person who behind gay people are the most overtly discriminated against people in the world. It would be fine, to a certain extent, if I'm in my gated community but as soon as I step out, my status would almost immediately drop it seems.
I suppose another way to consider the question would be would I rather be a middle class white or a:
- rich Asian
- rich Hispanic
- rich Middle Eastern
- rich & Jewish
- rich & Gay
Somehow the decision in every one of those cases feels easier, even though each of the 5 are also discriminated against.
A black friend of mine told me that every day white folks have the choice of whether they want to deal with a black folks. A black person HAS to deal with a white person every day. And it's not quite russian roulette, but it is a game of chance as to how a black person is treated by white folks.
I don't know if I would have the fortitude to handle being black no matter how much money I had. I guess it would be a day by day thing.
I know things have improved quite a bit, but if I stepped onto BART in my suit after work and everyone reached for their wallet because I stood by them, how happy could I really be?
I wonder if racism will ever totally disappear.