For anyone with the slightest thought that racism doesn't have profound effect on African-Americans:

[kpete]

Something Else To Think About


…for anyone that may read this blog and have the slightest thought that racism doesn’t have a profound effect on African-Americans in this country, ponder this…

As an African American, especially a male (which I am), can you imagine how much more stressful your life is, when from the moment you leave your home in the morning, until the moment you return that evening…you never really know who, out of the scores of non-African American people you interact with, think this type of shit about you…just because of the color of your skin?

It permeates your every thought, action, and word that comes out of your mouth…constantly, for the entire day. You are on constant alert as to whom is around you, how people are interacting, or reacting, to you…it’s fucking exhausting.

It’s no wonder our community is at so much a higher risk for heart disease, and hypertension than other races in this country. Sure, some of it may be related to diet, but when you live just about every waking moment of your life at a heightened level of awareness, and just a slightly higher level of stress than your white counterparts, it’s bound to take a physical toll on your body.

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more from
http://www.balloon-juice.com/2014/04/24/something-else-to-think-about-2/

[lunasun]

1. cuts that never heal

[merrily]

2. Only a certain kind of person would argue that racism

does not affect African Americans, from childhood on.

[Solly Mack]

3. K&R

[Nevernose]

4. I was talking about the scars of racism and instititionalized slavery to my class

Although it's been a while, so I don't really remember the context. Anyway, this one kid (who since gone in to be something of a friend) said, "Sometimes when I look at myself in the mirror, I mean really look, I wonder how much I would have sold for."

I gained a whole new level of empathy that day.