To the Editor:
I guess racism is foreign to me. Being always in the majority (except sometimes when traveling), I cannot imagine what it means to be otherwise. And yet when I walked into the place of business in a small town near me today, I met it face to face. And it left me feeling like I had been hit in the head with a rock.
The guy (perhaps a customer as well) at the counter was speaking loudly. I paid little attention until I heard the “N word.” Even then I could not grasp what was happening. I realized that another man, obviously an employee, was enjoying the conversation heartily, laughing and guffawing with little control. Two ladies, at least one of whom was an employee, were clustered around and engaging.
When the lady employee finally approached and asked if I needed help, I asked for the item I had come to purchase. She took me to the display and stated that their supplies were low and named another place in town where I might find it. It was only then that I regained my composure and replied that I would not purchase anything from her store. I went on to say that I did not approve of all that talk using the “N word” and quickly left.
Whether I accomplished anything with my remark, I’ll never know. I do know I’ll never be in that place again. And I know that I was ashamed by what I saw and heard and most of all upset because all of us were white.
Of course, I have heard much talk about people choosing a President this year based on race. It seemed to me that all of that, if true, was happening somewhere else. It could not be true in Middle Tennessee. It could not be true in an area where I have helped educate and have lived for nearly 70 years. It gave me a feeling I cannot fully describe and actually made me sick.
The only thing I know to do is to write and tell what happened and ask that we help each other stop these kinds of remarks. I also urge all of us to remember that words do hurt and carry weight and often have an influence and make an impression that can’t be corrected!
Sincerely,
Steve Cates
E. Main Street |
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