I get it.
I know why Rachel Dolezal doesn't want to be white anymore. I'd opt out, too, if I thought I could get away with it.
Throughout my adult life, I've felt close to black people. I've always felt a bit different, or like I'm on the outside looking in. Black folks get that. It's built into the experience of being black in the United States. I've found black folks to be pretty accepting of differences. That's how Dylann Roof could walk into a black church for an intimate prayer meeting. I bet no one asked him why he was there. I bet no one asked him if he was lost or looking for something. I bet he was welcomed with smiles and warmth.
I can't believe that in 2015, I'm raising my small children a few miles from where the man was arrested who shot up a black church. I can't believe that a church in our community has been burned. I can't believe that I'm going to have to talk to my children about these things.
So yes, Rachel, I understand. I don't know that I think you did everything the right way, and who knows why you made the choices you made. But I understand why you'd want to be a part of the people who accept rather than reject. I know why you'd want to step away from the people who shoot and burn. I know why you'd want to make that leap.
Throughout my adult life, I've felt close to black people. I've always felt a bit different, or like I'm on the outside looking in. Black folks get that. It's built into the experience of being black in the United States. I've found black folks to be pretty accepting of differences. That's how Dylann Roof could walk into a black church for an intimate prayer meeting. I bet no one asked him why he was there. I bet no one asked him if he was lost or looking for something. I bet he was welcomed with smiles and warmth.
I can't believe that in 2015, I'm raising my small children a few miles from where the man was arrested who shot up a black church. I can't believe that a church in our community has been burned. I can't believe that I'm going to have to talk to my children about these things.
So yes, Rachel, I understand. I don't know that I think you did everything the right way, and who knows why you made the choices you made. But I understand why you'd want to be a part of the people who accept rather than reject. I know why you'd want to step away from the people who shoot and burn. I know why you'd want to make that leap.
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