African American

My upbringing predisposed me to appreciate nonviolence and longsuffering. I think it comes from a sort of privilege. Let me explain.

I grew up surrounded by affluent black people. Everywhere! Most members of my home church were multigenerational college educated upwardly mobile black families. Those who were not were usually pretty comfortable anyway because of family businesses or "good plant" jobs.

They are the legacy of those legendary marchers. The purse of the civil rights movement found a home in my city. So, many of the people around me were very comfortable. "If you want changes done, it's going to be a long journey. Quick changes are short lived. Show them you are better. " These are the ideas surrounding my upbringing.

I have experienced the "______ while black" more times than I can count! However, I've always had a black attorney, judge, principal, cop, mayor, lawmaker, dentist, doctor, surgeon, researcher....whatever I need, in my cell phone. Since moving out of my hometown where I have none of these connections, things feel very differently. Those connections back home were such an amazing security blanket for me. The lack of cushion has made my experiences much more difficult to shoulder.

If I had grown up in the circumstances in which I now live, I may not have appreciated the tactical prowess of disagreeing, civilly. However, I do feel both can be effective in fostering change. I do think that one path is less likely to get you into the board rooms and meetings where the change often happens.

Your posts are always thought provoking. Thanks for sharing, irisblue.