I don't give a flip what color you are: Jewelry and Racism?

Red and yellow, black and white: They are precious in HIS sight.

OK, so this is not the article you expected to find on my jewelry blog.  Of course, I never signed a pledge to only write about jewelry jars, etc....But, this article was prompted by the experience of a friend shopping for jewelry in a thrift shop.  I will not name the thrift shop because I don't know for sure, although I have a suspicion.  I do know that what she did say made me cry.  Really.

Growing up in the South, I have seen racism in many forms. As a white person, I have heard other white people refer to African-American folks as though they were almost animals, but, thankfully, not as much as the years have gone by.  However, I would be less than honest with you if I said that racism was "Dead in Dixie."  It's not, and I assume that is true in other parts of the country, too.

The lady who related the following offensive behavior toward her daughter is one of the most lovely, intelligent and articulate women I know.  She is a beautiful woman of color, but could be considered Latino, and apparently the racist employee did not understand that the "little Black girl" in question was her daughter! I will tell you this.....our friend is a gentle Lady of self-control.  Had this been said about my daughter, the clerk might be picking up her teeth off the thrift store floor.

My jewelry-loving friend was looking at jewelry in the showcase in a thrift shop in Texas.  Her young daughter, old enough to venture away a bit on her own, was looking at other items nearby.  The clerk told my friend she would have to wait a minute.  She said she had to go see what "that little black girl has stolen."

I could stop right here, and my point has been made.

Of course, you know I won't.  This made me furious..........

Yet, it made me very sad.

I just thought how many little brown eyes have looked up at me in various circumstances assuming that is how I am thinking. Or, even how many older brown eyes have assumed the same.....all because of some insensitive, racist person like this and their big, fat mouth.

How many little brown eyes will grow up to hate white people (reverse prejudice, sort of ) because of people like this?  Yes, I have encountered African-American folks, too, who have automatically assumed because I am white and blonde that I am a racist, too. One can easily understand how things like this would negatively shape the perception of children and young teens.

Just to clear the air and to make me feel better.....

I Could NOT care less what color you are!!!!! I don't care if you are BLUE like Papa Smurf or Green like Kermit the Frog.  I DON"T CARE!!!! 

To my friend:
Please tell your daughter that I APOLOGIZE for this woman.  Tell her that I cried tears of sadness for what happened to her. 

Love,
Barbie