you know racial tension is so high in my city that black kids aren’t playing outside.
at first i thought it was the heat. it’s SUPER HOT. been over 95 degrees most days. but then i was like no. we’re use to this. it’s actually been a mild summer for us.
black and brown kids are staying inside to be safe. only the white kids roll about the neighborhood.
i live in a “good” part of town. and this is happening.
i go out shopping. you don’t see black teens out and about anymore. i’ll see a few, but it’s like everyone that’s a minority in my city just vanished from everyday life.
and when we’re out and see each other, we’re comparing notes. making sure one another is safe. wondering what new white supremacy rally is happening next, and to not engage. that we’re scared but trying to act nonchalant. to not scare the kids more you know? but we’re scared.
white adults are out here planting confederate flags on their trucks, riding in black spaces. having parades.
the amount of white pride shirts i’ve seen have skyrocketed.
i’m seeing more white guys with confederate flag tattoos.
banners on trucks. cars. shirts.
and then when they see a black person at the grocery store, it’s this standstill. some glare, some smirk, and some glance at their white pride shire, and look away.
and all the black people in the store just silently move to another section. go to another lane.
the cashiers, teens, looking petrified. because what can THEY do? but ring up the groceries?
my mom keeps saying it’s like we’re back in the 50s and 60s. she’s from that era.
it’s unsettling. the tension is high.
and people think black people are making this up. that we do this for notes online.
when i log off, and walk out my door, i have to worry about this. i worry about this all the time. my safety is jeopardized getting food at a grocery store. that’s how bad the tension is.
and it’s not getting better. it’s getting worse. white people are getting bolder with their hate.
i can’t help wonder how in the hell my grandparents survived this. my parents. now me and my bro’s age group going through it. it’s like never ending.
and then the news will report on the rallies, and tell black people and other minorities to stay calm.
it’s surreal. it’s fucking surreal. and we see it affecting the kids! little kids! won’t play outside!!!! only the white ones! God it’s sick how things are.
theartofmadeline
pixelskylines
2087
