Responses — Group 8

I am a Japanese American woman who was born in the Tule Lake “Relocation” Camp. My family has experienced racism and injustice. I have grown up as a model minority who has had the privilege of a university education and a professional career. I married a Caucasian man and we have Euro-Asian children. I have felt put down and mistreated, but I have NEVER felt the fear and threat that I hear from African Americans. I am so outraged on their (and my parents’) behalf. I feel that we are at a crucial turning point in our country’s history. I will do all I can to support truth and compassion.

Junko A.

to Carlos Watson

Mon, Jun 1, 3:00 PM

How about people quit breaking the laws? Drunk driving, fighting a police officer, taking a weapon from him, and turning it on him. I suppose that’s OK? What should he have done? Let him run off armed? Yeah, it’s a Taser. Do we know that if the officer was shot by it he wouldn’t have had a seizure or go into cardiac arrest and die? How many lives did this officer save by taking this drunk driver off the road? Was the guy a repeat offender? The guys have to make split-second decisions all at supremely high adrenaline levels. We’ve heard the stories of officers being slain at simple traffic stops. So, if he lets the guy get away, and this menace to society goes out and does it again, only this time on his way to Wendy’s he runs over a child. Then everyone comes down on the officer for letting him get away. What if it was your child? My unpopular opinion is this: Everyone labels the entire police force as treating different racial groups differently, but that is not the case. White privilege doesn’t exist the way people want to make it a label. There is no handbook, no rules, no training, nothing that says to treat people differently based on their race. It comes down to that single individual’s actions. Everything comes down to how that one person is treating another person. I know this because if I were to go to certain parts of town, that “privilege” isn’t there. What’s worse is I get accosted and harassed and threatened and even assaulted because I was born white. I didn’t blame the location I was at, or yelled that I was being oppressed, I wanted that person that did it to be responsible for his actions he decided to take at that time. I am not saying racism doesn’t exist, but that it comes down to that individual’s reasons for acting the way they did. Knee-jerk reactions and assuming that what happened was totally motivated based upon racial differences without knowing every bit of information creates great ignorance. If this police officer had a history of treating people of different races differently, then you have a racist. But you cannot label an entire organization as such based on the actions of a few bad people. … Equal Rights does not mean Special Privileges. A human being is a human being regardless of their race, disabilities, social status, what they eat for breakfast, or their interests. I was taught this in the Army. Until everyone can treat another human being with even just basic decency, we will never advance as a society.

Ketch I.

to Carlos Watson

ue, Jun 2, 1:31 PM

As an American first, of Hispanic origin second and a Vietnam vet from Texas, this is how I feel. Yes, I too was segregated against as a young adult. I just accepted it as the good ole boy network. I didn't let it influence my goals of an education. Besides, some of those good ole boys were my friends and we hung out together. I took it and gave it back. I always felt that they learned their manners from home. I know I did. My mom and dad always made sure I checked my mouth at the front door. … If you’re going to be a parent, you need to raise your kids and teach them right from wrong. If you're going to protest, then Mom and Dad should be there to support you. The young men and women burning and looting our stores and wreaking mayhem, where are their parents? If the police are going to fine you or arrest you, if you're under 21, then they should fine and arrest the parents as well. We need accountability. Is this the solution for this country falling apart? No. But we need to start somewhere.

Victor G.

to Carlos Watson

Mon, Jun 1, 6:47 PM

As a 64-year-old African American woman, I feel such despair at the state of our country. I fear for my husband, my daughters, my young grandson, my two granddaughters, my nephews, nieces and all African American people. While I have never been stopped by the police, I have had racism directed at me. I have been followed in stores. My husband and I have had the police called to watch us while we were shopping in a store. Where I might add we spent over $300 of our hard-earned money. … We have gone out to dinner with a white couple several times only to be ignored when the waiter or waitress was discussing the specials, how the check should be divided, etc. It's a very eye-opening experience. It’s very hard to know that at any time your life can be ended the way George Floyd’s was and so many others just because of the color of your skin. As a mother and a grandmother, I grieve with all of the mothers and grandmothers who have lost a child due to the hatred in American. I can’t imagine your pain.

Debra P.

to Carlos Watson

Wed, Jun 3, 5:01 AM

I am a pharmacist in Chicago and my store was vandalized last night. When I arrived, the window to the pharmacy was broken and they tried to smash the drive-thru window. Eventually they got in through the pharmacy door and went through a few packages in the ready bin and searched the pharmacy for “familiar” meds, controlled substances and pseudoephedrine. They could have been looking for other meds, I just don’t think so. Anyway, since we were told to prepare for the worst, most if not all of the controls were put inside a safe yesterday before we closed the store early. They tried but could NOT open the safe, even with an ax hammer. According to the videotape, they stayed in the pharmacy close to 20 minutes. More damage could have been done, so we were lucky. However, another chain store was burned and will more than likely not reopen. I mention all of this because I wanted to let a few of the physicians in the area know about what’s going on with my store and our neighbor store. I spoke to one nurse, and she was, like me, scared and concerned, and I could tell from her voice she was really saddened by what happened in our community. She didn’t say anything about who did the looting, just that she was concerned since her office was close by. Before we got off the phone, she said be safe and I said the same. When I called the other office, she said yes she had heard about what happened and was concerned that we, the taxpayers, would have to foot the bill or pay to reopen and restore the damaged businesses. When I didn’t say anything to her comment, she said “hello?” I said yes I’m here and could say no more. … So maybe that’s why I’m writing here right now, to say what I wanted to say to this person: How many more Black and brown people need to PAY with their lives just to exist, to do normal things that the privileged white do every day without a care in the world. How long will we have to PAY to belong, be respected and included? How long????

Kimberly C.

to Carlos Watson

Mon, Jun 1, 4:00 PM

I am a 71-year-old Black woman who cannot even describe my feelings at this point. It feels like this is my second, third, fourth trip to this rodeo — and I’m still in the same seat, watching the same show! I’ve lived through it all: the voting rights movement, Dr. King peaceful protest movement, Malcolm X and the Black Power movement, the Panther Party, race riots, many assassinations, murders, civil right abuses, Democratic administrations, Republican administrations, a two-term Black president — you name it, I’ve seen it. … I’ve seen this happen over and over and the final result has always been the same: nothing! I honestly don’t know the answer. I had great hopes for Barack Obama, I thought ‘finally, someone who is going to fight for us.’ But he ultimately tried way too hard to be a conciliatory president and not ruffle too many feathers. … I guess pushing the voting issue and engaging all young people of color to get to the polls is our most pressing issue and viable solution — until and unless they figure out more ways to prevent us from voting (and they’re trying their damndest!). Second, we need to find and develop strong principled leaders! Leaders who won’t be nullified, rendered ineffective nor trivialized by “the powers that be” — strong leaders who can’t be bought with sweetheart deals, who aren’t afraid, won’t back down, are willing to fight for what they believe in and what the people deserve. … As a people, we are sorely lacking true, strong leaders who can be the warriors for justice.

Patricia M.

to Carlos Watson

Wed, Jun 3, 8:23 AM

One of the protesters in NYC had a sign that read, “I understand that I will never understand, but I stand with you #BLM.” That, coupled with my pastor’s words yesterday — “The ground cries out for justice” – those two sentiments pretty much sum up where I am. … What voice will be listened to? Beyond voting and protesting, what more can be done to remove barriers? How do we systemically move the needle on society to support fairness and justice, how do we collectively understand the root causes of inequality, the invisible barriers, and the culpability we have without inflaming those who support white supremacy more?

Jennifer M.

to Carlos Watson

Mon, Jun 1, 1:52 PM

I am a 70-year-old Black woman with three Black sons. I had to talk to my sons about the police and how White America is going to see them. I told them no matter what you do, how successful you are, how law-abiding you are, they are just going to look at you as a Black man and nothing else.

Elaine L.

to Carlos Watson

Tue, Jun 2, 7:00 PM

Dr. Martin Luther King would not have wanted to see ignorant others looting merchandise, vandalizing properties, setting fires to government buildings, destroying public structures. He would have wanted us to be of one to bring justice to the unjust in peace, and demand fair trials to gross mistreatments.

LoAnn P.

to Carlos Watson

Tue, Jun 2, 8:51 PM

I am not a racist, and I certainly don’t condone murder. However I believe equality is earned, not given. Nothing in this life is given to ordinary people, be they white, Latino, Asian or African Americans. Equality is earned through education, hard work, and pride in yourself through struggles and accomplishments. [However, after watching] your special on the History Channel, I truly didn’t realize how ignorant I was. Let’s forget about color and get to know one another’s culture, and know one another as people. Didn’t think I could learn anything at 77, so glad I was wrong.

Julia L.

to Carlos Watson

Mon, Jun 1, 4:18 PM

What happened to Mr. Floyd was horrible, but do you really think rioting and tearing up businesses and looting makes a statement? I don't. Why is it that when major events like this happen, people feel the need to destroy other people's hard-earned business? … I've experienced more racism from my own people than I have from any whites and I'm a 57-year-old black woman. … All this has done is create division. We really haven't come far, and I wonder what Martin Luther King would say. Here is a man who acted on purpose and with clarity of what his mission was, not with violence and hostility. This culture acts on emotions and fear, rather than rationality and logic, and this is the culture that is going to run this world one day.

Maria P.

to Carlos Watson

Mon, Jun 1, 6:28 PM