Personal Narrative: I Am Racist

Growing up, I never thought of myself as racist nor did I ever think when as I grew up in Knoxville that anyone continues to have racist attitudes, I just went with the ebb and flow of the culture and never question anything about it. As I continued my education in a predominately white public high school in West Knoxville, we did learn about the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, however, we simply consumed the knowledge but never did we think, nor were we encouraged to apply the principle of justice in our daily lives and relationships. Then, as I grew older and gained more interest in what happens in the world outside of my literal view I learned more about the present violence and racist acts happening in our country today. When I was …show more content…
I believed that my implicit racial bias was present due to my upbringing slightly, but I knew that I did not feel uncomfortable around people who look different from myself. After all, my church mom/mentor is black was my thought process, yet, I let those relationships and friendship naturally happen. I have never actually sought them out intentionally and as I build a relationship have thought to even ask about their own experiences in this world. Now I think of how surface levels my conversations with people can seem in many instances, and I see the real value of earning the right to hear someone’s story. This class has helped me see how one cannot waste the relationships we have and build with people, yes investing and spending time together makes the relationships stronger, yet, I realize I need to be intentional and aware of how I may automatically find comfortable friendships with people who are similar to myself in many spheres of life. How I need to continually put myself out there and get to know people in an intentional matter to build a strong relationships where we can learn from one