Loved this. My thing is though, we need more conversation with our white adolescents…They are SO CONFUSED; at least are my semi-diverse population of NYC students. Whilst these white kids aren’t in the least bit economically advantageous, or going home to a white picket fence, they still struggle to understand Black America, much less the all-inclusive America, and the World of Tomorrow.

Instead, they are consumed by the glamorized, and negatively diluted imagery, unrelentingly presented to them. While at home, they proudly rebel against their parents’ ‘traditional’ viewpoints, but can’t help but half-listen, regurgitating their racist views — almost unconsciously.

Hip hop for one, molds their mental framework for relationships, sex, work, money — and ultimately, each other.

White boys try and get girls, white girls are proud that the black boys love their big butt. Fetty’s got them “sewed up!”

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved hip-hop since it’s birth, and when on a dance floor, can twerk like nobody’s business, but I’m also very passionate, and cognizant of the music, and musicians throughout history that paved the way for the beloved, bangin’ booty-shakin’ beats of today. They do not however, nor do the majority of their young, black peers.

They only know of one story — the one that appeals to their objectification, teen angst, egocentric isolation, and ultimately — extremely narrow perspective of Black Americans, and again, many [not all] of their young, black peers do not help this understanding. They just submit, because I suspect, it is their perceived strength.

And the truth is, innately they crave progress, some of the more enlightened ones want that evolution for the human race — but sadlyC they’re not necessarily enjoying a family meal at a friend’s home of another race.

Moreover, the significance of the words and actions of Activists are ‘heard’ as nonsensical babble, much like the Peanut Gang ‘heard’ their teachers’ lessons; white noise.

Whats worse, is to many of them, black women are either sexed out, gettin’ ova on another, or just angry, and something to be feared or fought, or ignored, but rarely heard.

Steady, in my devil’s advocacy I tell them, I can only tell you for absolute fact my point of view, from the experience of an Italian-American woman, born in Brooklyn — I cannot assume the experience of another, nor can I judge it.

I can however, be grateful for my education, particularly, my public school education, my parents having diverse friends, and raising me in a different neighborhood from my older siblings, my intrinsic need for diversity — blah blah blah; the whole other story of being me, that shocks them — just to prove my point, and possibly illicit some level of perspective-taking, so they’ll observe the world around them, with Distinction. <exhale>

So, I give them material to read, show them films, play cleverly orchestrated, thought-provoking games — whatever I can to awaken them; sometimes I actually do, but typically it’s only for brief moments in time, until they go back out there, and the remainders of the reminders are out of sight — out of mind.

I will most certainly share your article with them, but how long will stick?

See I have a dream too, since I was a child, and that dream is a better future for us All…