Column opens eyes to racism

I just read the article “iPhones bring people together” (Oct. 10) in the print copy of The Advocate and wanted to make it clear that I appreciated it. A perspective was shared that I’m not normally exposed to.

I’m thankful for the glimpse of life through someone else’s eyes. I still have the only Apple product I bought years ago, and never really got into buying each new generation.

I now understand deeper reasons to stand in new-product lines I’d never considered.

On the topic of racism, the article said, “Normally, open seats are overlooked next to this African-American on public transportation by many people of all races.” This struck me as important. It’s right, but I’m not sure that that truth is the whole story. As a female I am more likely to avoid sitting next to strange males, regardless of their skin color.

I can’t recall being in a situation where I had to choose between sitting by two strange males of different skin colors. Hypothetically, it’s quite possible I would choose to stand instead.

 I would feel much more comfortable sitting near a male person who sat quietly, possibly lost in a book, than one who was playing loud music from his phone.

I was raised with minimal exposure to other cultures, but was still taught that skin color has nothing to do with a person’s value.

If anything, I am prejudiced regarding behaviors and clothing styles and tend to avoid persons of any color exhibiting types associated with the “gangster” or “ghetto” stereotypes.

I agree that racism is harmful and prevalent, and I’m sad to find that I am even accidentally acting in ways that contribute to the problem. I’m not trying to say that anybody besides myself acts for the reasons I explained; I guess I just wanted to show that “jumpy and shy” doesn’t have to mean “jumpy and shy because of racism.”

I’m looking forward to reading the next issue of The Advocate.