Thank you for sending me this video which was quite shocking to me. Shocking, not because I couldn't believe it was happening - real or otherwise, but because I know from personal experience that this kind of thing goes on all the time.
There is much to say about this one 'incident' and it would fill many pages. I could write it myself, but my experience has taught me, 'not to go there'. So I don't know whether I would do anything at all in such a situation.
I do not discuss race with white people. I have learnt that it is dangerous to do so. Many bad things have happened to my family and myself for attempting a discourse on race. And it's a long list!
In a gift shop near where I live is a 18inch tall 'ornament' of a black man wearing white man's livery and holding up a tray before him. But instead of an image of a man, here is a model of a black gorilla.
Around 'him' are other less offensive 'ornaments': these are dark skinned men - labourers of one kind and another and a black women carrying a heavy load. They have all been placed in a 'group' of their own.
It is so distasteful but my 'better' judgement resists saying anything at all. Last week I met a Kenyan man similarly insulted by it, but I advised him to say nothing. I have been in so much trouble before for opening my 'big mouth'?!
What is now happening to Obama and his wife now is quite close to what I felt might happen...
best wishes
Isabel.
Paul Boakye
· 3 months ago
I couldn't live with myself adopting the 'say nothing' approach although I have leant which battles to fight and when to remain silent. Have you ever considered moving out of Wales to England, perhaps?
I suspect that both Mr and Mrs Obama knew that this might happen to them in the White House. I think they are very brave. And I applaud them for it.
All Comments
Thank you for sending me this video which was quite shocking to me.
Shocking, not because I couldn't believe it was happening - real or otherwise, but because I know from personal experience that this kind of thing goes on all the time.
There is much to say about this one 'incident' and it would fill many pages. I could write it myself, but my experience has taught me, 'not to go there'. So I don't know whether I would do anything at all in such a situation.
I do not discuss race with white people. I have learnt that it is dangerous to do so. Many bad things have happened to my family and myself for attempting a discourse on race. And it's a long list!
In a gift shop near where I live is a 18inch tall 'ornament' of a black man wearing white man's livery and holding up a tray before him. But instead of an image of a man, here is a model of a black gorilla.
Around 'him' are other less offensive 'ornaments': these are dark skinned men - labourers of one kind and another and a black women carrying a heavy load. They have all been placed in a 'group' of their own.
It is so distasteful but my 'better' judgement resists saying anything at all. Last week I met a Kenyan man similarly insulted by it, but I advised him to say nothing. I have been in so much trouble before for opening my 'big mouth'?!
What is now happening to Obama and his wife now is quite close to what I felt might happen...
best wishes
Isabel.
I suspect that both Mr and Mrs Obama knew that this might happen to them in the White House. I think they are very brave. And I applaud them for it.