WHEN RACISM AFFECTS MY ROMANTIC LIFE
On the one hand, what I’m about to share is only a mildly amusing story about a romantic incident in my life, but on the other hand it is another example of how racism and systemic racism continually distorts our lives. This incident took place while I was in college during my senior year.
Two other friends and I who were considering going to seminary and training for the ministry but we had not chosen which seminary to attend. We decided that it would be a neat adventure during Spring break to visit four prominent seminaries—one of which was the theological school at Duke University in Charlotte, North Carolina. As we were making plans for the trip, my college roommate, who was from Uganda, asked if he could go along. We agreed.
TEMPTATION OF ROMANCE
One of the side benefits to the trip for me was that I had a romantic interest that was a nurse in Charlotte and I called her and asked if a couple of us could stop by for supper with her. She was excited about the visit until I mentioned that my Uganda friend would be coming with me. She gulped a couple of times and then suggested that rather than going out to a restaurant for supper she would fix us supper at her apartment.
When we arrived at her apartment, she quickly pulled me into the apartment evidencing a great deal of stress. She informed me that she had arranged with a Black nurse friend at the hospital to pick John up and show him the city while we had our private meal.
A SILLY STORY OR A PAINFUL REMINDER
On the one hand, it’s a silly story and there were no negative consequences, but it was a strong reminder of how much racism, in its many forms, can interrupt our lives. My anti-racism project is designed to enable good people to recognize the issue and converse about healthier ways for the races to interact.
There are many such stories out there.