I have a recent blog myself on the subject being in an interracial relatioship. The first for me and the first for her. 2 years going strong!

I’d love for anyone who likes to read it and comment.

Tough subject matter AA.

I myself, when I grew up, was uncomfortable around Black Americans. As I grew older, I learned, and I never gave up. I was correct in thinking that the uncomfortableness was my problem – not theirs, and that I needed, and hoped, for the day I wouldn’t feel that way.

I have been blessed, as quite a few years ago, my intellectual feeling that I didn’t need to feel that way was replaced by the feeling also in my heart. You know what I mean?

Where you know something, but yet, somehow, you don’t really know it. Like that embarrassing reflex you try to put down but cant.

I went throught that, but the key was to never give up on the good side of yourself.

It is very true, that there are bad apples in every crowd, and there will always be. I now depend on my instinct when I see people, and adjust my conduct accordingly. I can see by body language what I’m likely to encounter. I look at who is coming toward me.

It’s not the most accurate instinct in the world, but at least, I’ve been able to enjoy the company of some very good, and very proud, people.

They are my family and my freinds…

So yes I am distinguishing, but not because of something I believe to be racially ingrained. So is this racism?

Whatever it is, it is not nice and makes me feel ugly.

@scienkoptic – That’s not only a wise business principle, but a wise life principle. It is amazing how people react when you show them respect and trust. People are better than what we think, if only we give them a chance to show it.

@Amber – Thanks! Nothing like staring at the mirror hey? But I know you. You don’t have to stare too much! (Not with that hairdo in any case.)

@cooper – Thank you. And ditto. And thank you for thw riting compliment. I am still taking it easy. Letting it come when it comes. And writing funny things in between the periods of pause. So just little breaks from the coffee break. Maybe I am a bit hard on myself sometimes. For instance, when I looked at this piece afterwards I though it wasn’t that good. But I am starting to realize that it doesn’t have to be that well written if the message still gets across.

@ilovemylife – You have written some powerful things on race. Thanks for the link. I’ll go and have a link at you post and bring a link back in here if that is okay? (Just did – http://ilovemylifebrothersandsisters.blogspot.com/2008/10/kill-him-terrorist-things-audience.html)

I like that when you decided to stop writing you start writing more, and more spectacularly than before.

I run my business on a very simple principle:

Treat people in the manner you would like to be treated.

I live my daily life in the same manner.

Wanna see a successful business? My business broker can’t understand that being good to customers will get you better advertising than all the money in the world.

As a professional in my field, I can see where the black customers have been f-ed over by other companies. I can see it in the stupid shit they’ve been sold, I can see it the constant run-arounds they get. I can see it when I tell them that they can pay me when they get the bill., etc.

(Back from your coffee break so soon? I hope you enjoyed the cup and thinking about South Africa.)