A friend texted me the following article on Sunday morning. She is the woman featured in the write up. We have known each other since our children were young, hers just stair steps behind mine.
We raised our kids as single moms, without help from our former spouses. She was the first one to go back to school in pursuit of higher education. I admired her courage and ambition.
I had no idea what she was up against.
Racism is systemic.
Please read the article, just a part of her story.
One Woman's Quest II 
It is strange that we took all the wrongdoings for granted for so many years. Acceptance is the first step on the long road of redressal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think too often racism continues to be systemic because most people do not hear enough of how systemic racism is maintained either purposefully or ignorantly. You were her friend and were unaware of her experience. The changes in education need to begin in preschool. Curriculum is changing and hopefully we will see improvements in the future, but hasn’t this been what we have said for generations. Thanks for sharing this article and raising the awareness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Heather. There is much more to her story, of course, and I feel it as a kick to the gut that I have been ignorant of her experience. White privilege is real.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is real!
LikeLiked by 1 person
VJ, when I look back and see books or movies that have been presented through the of eyes of white governance or perspective, the racism can be startling and unnerving, even the cartoon movie “Peter Pan.” There are books that shine hard spotlights on racism, that are must reads. “Huckleberry Finn” and “To Kill a Mockingbird” get a lot of questions, but are both instructive books, even with racial epithets. There are legitimate questions should the epithets be replaced, but the overarching messages are important. Yet, there are books that do the opposite, like “Gone with the Wind,” which more than sand away the rough edges of slavery. Keith
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Keith. I think we are just waking up to the depth of the damage done, and hopefully; will start to make important changes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
VJ, so true. We need to recognize when we drift into those thoughts and preconceived notions and call others out or stand up for those being ridiculed. For example, in the US, there are is a small percentage that do not believe All Lives Matter includes Black Lives. And, that is unfortunate and extremely shortsighted. Keith
LikeLiked by 1 person