I am a woman of color. I have dark skin, black hair, and brown eyes. I am often mistaken for being Latina, Middle Eastern, or South Asian. I am also an American citizen.
For as long as I can remember, I have been aware of the way that my appearance makes people see me. I have been stared at, followed, and even harassed by people who see me as a threat. I have been told to go back to my country, even though I have never lived anywhere else.
4.7 out of 5
| Language | : | English |
| File size | : | 1906 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | : | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | : | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | : | Enabled |
| Word Wise | : | Enabled |
| Print length | : | 242 pages |
These experiences have had a profound impact on my life. They have made me feel like an outsider, like I don't belong. They have made me question my own identity and my place in the world.
But I am not alone. Millions of people of color in the United States have similar experiences. We are often seen as threats, even though we are just trying to live our lives.
This is the story of my life, a story of racial profiling, exclusion, and belonging. It is a story that I hope will help others to understand the challenges that people of color face every day.
Racial Profiling
Racial profiling is the practice of targeting people of color for suspicion of crime based on their race or ethnicity. It is a form of discrimination that has been used to justify police brutality, mass incarceration, and other forms of systemic racism.
I have been racially profiled many times in my life. I have been stopped by the police for no reason, questioned about my immigration status, and even followed by security guards in stores.
These experiences have made me feel like a criminal, even though I have never done anything wrong. They have made me afraid to leave my house, and they have made me distrust the police.
Racial profiling is a serious problem that has a devastating impact on the lives of people of color. It is a form of discrimination that must be stopped.
Exclusion
In addition to racial profiling, I have also experienced exclusion from many different aspects of society.
I have been excluded from social groups, job opportunities, and even educational opportunities because of my race. I have been made to feel like I am not welcome in certain spaces, and I have been denied access to resources that are available to others.
This exclusion has had a profound impact on my life. It has made me feel like I don't belong, and it has made it difficult for me to succeed in life.
Exclusion is a serious problem that has a devastating impact on the lives of people of color. It is a form of discrimination that must be stopped.
Belonging
Despite the challenges that I have faced, I have also found a sense of belonging in my community. I have found support from my family, my friends, and my allies.
I have also found belonging in my work. I am a community organizer, and I work to fight against racism and discrimination. I am proud of the work that I do, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the world.
Belonging is essential for human well-being. It is a feeling of being connected to others and to the world around us. It is a feeling of being valued and respected.
I am grateful for the sense of belonging that I have found in my community and in my work. It has helped me to overcome the challenges that I have faced, and it has given me the strength to continue fighting for a more just and equitable world.
Looking like the enemy is not easy. It is a constant reminder of the racism and discrimination that people of color face every day.
But it is also a reminder of the strength and resilience of the human spirit. It is a reminder that we can overcome any obstacle if we work together.
I am proud to be a woman of color. I am proud of my heritage, and I am proud of my community. I will continue to fight against racism and discrimination, and I will continue to work for a more just and equitable world.
Thank you for listening to my story.
