I love mankind…it’s the people I can’t stand.

-Charles M. Schultz.

We have seen it. We have heard it. Hell, we’ve all experienced it. It’s become something that’s done unintentionally, and everyone has had their own story of how they’ve experienced it or dished it out to someone else.What is this “it” I speak of, you may wonder? Well, let me set the scene for you, you’ll figure it out. You wake up bright and early. It is the day before New Year’s eve and yesterday momma told you to stop by the store to pick up some black-eyed peas. Now, you live in the deep south, and the closest grocery store to you that carries the type of peas momma likes to cook is up north. That’s up there where all the white kids wear long sleeves and shorts in the winter; they just have to be a different breed because it’s colder than Aunt Mae’s stare at momma whenever momma tells her she’d rather her stay out the kitchen when dinner is being prepared…but, I digress.

You roll out the bed while wiping the sleep out the corners of your eyes and begin your morning routine. Before you leave, you empty the can of oil sheen onto your clean-cut high top fade, all while shoving your red hair pick in your back pocket. You’re feeling good. You’re looking good. And you’re about to eat good. Today’s going to be a good day, what could go wrong?

You make it to the store in decent timing, locate the black-eyed peas, and find an open register with an empty line. You place the peas on the
conveyor belt and greet the clerk before she has the chance to say anything.

She looks up from her phone, and you notice a slight twist in her face. You think nothing of it. She then puts her cellular away, and before ringing up the beans, she looks you in the face, clears her throat then says “Due to our card machine malfunction I won’t be able to take your food stamps.”, she suddenly smiles and proceeds to retrieve her phone from her back pocket. You stop her and explain how you will be paying in cash instead and reach for the ten-dollar bill momma gave you yesterday night. You hand her the bill. She looks and begins to inspect the green paper. She holds it to the light, marks it, sniffs it, turns around in three circles, then she licks it..she does everything in between the sun to ensure the ten-dollar bill is authentic. You are disappointed but not shocked. After the thorough inspection, she bags the beans, and you’re on your way. Exiting the store, you spot a teenage girl sporting a long-sleeve Louisiana State jersey, denim blue shorts, and Uggs. You say nothing.

Racial Bias. That is it.

• 

When I stare at this image, I see the truth. I see the past, I see the present, and I hate to say it, but I see the future. Racial biases are evident in the streets, inside stores, on television, at hospitals, interactions between law enforcement, interactions between other races, interactions within our own race, etc. etc. So when I see this image, I know the normality in it. It won’t change because it’s what we see on the daily. It won’t change because that’s how we know to categorize individuals. It won’t change because we’re good at it and familiar with it. I mean honestly, how can you unlearn something that’s already been mastered?