Black Like Me

In the late winter of 2002, I wrote an article about Black History month and posed this question: is there racism, alive and active, in Whyville? I never really found my answer just by asking ethnic Whyvillians whether they were persecuted or not. Most provided quick answers, just a simple yes or no, and a short explanation. I was never really satisfied with the article. I hadn't really found the answers that I set out to find.

So, I began a project just two weeks ago. I decided to actually BECOME a minority, and see how other people reacted. I decided to become a black Whyvillian and see how my friends, and strangers, would respond.

This might be sounding really old-fashioned to you. You might be thinking, who's racist anymore? The Civil War is over, Martin Luther King has spoken, we're all good. But it turns out... lots of people still harbor racism in their hearts.

My first day with the project, I went to the Sun Roof. Not my favorite place. First of all, I don't know anyone that usually hangs there. Second, the people I've met there are kind of high-strung and sort of critical people. That's a stereotype, yeah, so maybe I'm not immune, but that's been my experience with Sun Roof people so far. So, in other words, I felt it was the perfect place to begin my project.

Surprisingly, a girl that I vaguely knew was there and immediately approached me. "SamGirl!" she exclaimed. "What happened?" She went on, "You look like a freak!" I was cautious and went on to ask why. She explained that being black on Whyville looks just wrong. I was appalled! I couldn't believe that this happened on my first day, my first hour of being a black Whyvillian. It was really just a glimpse at how horrible people can really be, and how racist. Maybe she meant to be that way, or maybe she didn't realize it. I don't really know.

My friends were cool with it, as always! I really didn't expect them to even notice. A few of them are minorities themselves. Either religiously, ethnically, or otherwise. I think they're all pretty accepting.

Nothing else happened for a while. Then, some girl in the Playground spurted off some racist words and I honestly hope that she has been taped for that. I 911 reported her and I hope some other kids that were hanging there that day did as well. None of us, whatever our race, should have to put up with talk like that.

But taping these kids won't do anything about their ignorance. I think it's time that we all look at this issue from all sides. Think if you were being persecuted for your race. Or, better yet, do what I did. Put yourself in that position. Be a minority in Whyville for a day. Be black like me.