Photo credit: Tim Druck
Although I am not white, I admit I enjoy white privilege because most people perceive me as white. My mother was Melungeon, a mix raced people of Appalachia, and my real father was of Hispanic heritage. Most people look at me and see white features and assume a Greek or Italian heritage. Yes, some ignorant people have said stupid, racist things to me because of their assumption of my whiteness. In light of recent events, the privilege given to me by my features and skin color demands that I stand up to help.
We sat silent, complacent too long
Our children safe.
Between threats to our black and brown
Sisters and brothers,
We must shield– intrepid, resolute,
taking spit, hits,
gas, lash, bricks
even death, should it come to that
So nothing touches them.
We must fulfill the promise of our nation—
All are equal
https://sammiscribbles.wordpress.com/2020/05/30/weekend-writing-prompt-159-intrepid/
Hearing The Mermaids Sing 
We are so alike. I look white but my mom is Egyptian and my dad is French/Spanish/Italian – I grew up where ‘white’ meant anglo saxon or something like that – Irish – German etc. But in truth now ‘white’ means the color of your skin which is so shallow because I know so many who are mixed race like us, and are very dark or very light and it’s just not that simple as skin color but as you say, white means people see what they want to see and you avoid some of the racism but not all. It is very sad but at least we know it and we talk about it and one day it will be different I am sure, so long as those who protest racism do not become reverse racist and take up some of the bad ways of thinking that racists had, like judging someone on their color
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Exactly! With so many people of mixed race like myself no longer “hiding” behind other’s perception of “whiteness” but actually talking about race now, perhaps we have a chance to evolve beyond racism of any sort.
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Beautiful and true. Thank you for writing.
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Thank you so much.
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Topical and well done. The amount of hate being spewed lately is atrocious
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Thank you, Dale.
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Great piece, Annette.
I’m contemplating re-reading The True Believer by Eric Hoffer, who said, “Passionate hatred can give meaning and purpose to an empty life.”
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Thank you, Bill. I’m not familiar with Hoffer, but I taught Emerson, Thoreau, Dr. King, and Gandhi as a unit to high school juniors for many years. Maybe too many! I tried to instill a hope for the future in my students and show a way to bring change into the world, so if I am not willing to be a part of the shield, all of my words, all of what I taught becomes meaningless.
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Wow, heavy stuff, Annette.
Living in France, I was unaware of this situation.
Your poem says it all.
Strong piece of writing.
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Thank you. It’s very sad . People of color here need change and justice.
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