Discrimination… Racism… Unity!

Yes, I know the title of this week’s blog is very eye catching. That was the point!!! After everything that has been going on in the news and around the world, I felt like I needed to give my opinion on things. I usually try and stay away from any topics regarding this matter because it’s so controversial.

My viewpoint stands for equality. It bothers me when people stand against racism by lifting up one specific race. It shouldn’t matter what color you are, the race you love, where you live, or your social or economic background. God created us in his image. He created us to be equal. ALL races are important, ALL races matter, ALL love matters.

I grew up on the West Coast, California is where I was born and raised. Nevada (Las Vegas) being my home away from home. These two states are very diverse and are known as melting pots; meaning all cultures are present. Being Mexican, I never had to deal with being discriminated against until now. I have been around people who have been discriminated against, but the discrimination was never directed towards me directly.

I would’ve never thought I would be a victim of racism and discrimination. People had warned me about the racism in Memphis before I moved, but I didn’t think I would have to experience it.

I’ve been in Memphis for about a month now, and I have had to deal with discrimination on several attempts. The first thing I had to get used to was people not being so friendly. I would say hello, smile, and people would just look at me and keep walking without saying a word. It hurt my feelings, like is something wrong with me, do I look weird or crazy?! This was definitely an adjustment.

I was at a restaurant one night; and our waiter waited on everyone else who were different races than I with a smile, always checked on them, even offered to bag up their to go food for them. When it came to my table, it seemed every time we asked for something it was an issue. He never came to check on us; we had to ask other waiters to get him for us. When it came to asking for to go boxes, he just threw them on the table and didn’t offer to box up our food (which he had done for every other table.) I wasn’t being rude for him to act this way, anytime I asked for something it was with a smile, a please, and a thank you. I wanted to ask him why we were getting treated differently, but I didn’t, and I even gave him a 20% tip (which he didn’t deserve.)

Another time, I was picking up food that I had ordered to go. I walk in, and I was the only person of my race in this restaurant. I walked up to the counter, and I was given a mean look. He said, “what do you need?” I stated I had an order to pick up. He grabbed my to go box and literally threw it on the counter where it slid to me. He gave me my total, and as I went to pay, he snatched my card from my hand without a word. He didn’t put my food in a bag and threw my card on the counter after he charged it. Now, there was a lady of another race who was waiting on her food, and he was so nice to her, he smiled at her, even asked her to check her food to make sure everything was okay and thanked her for her business.

Again, this was a shocker; I have NEVER had to deal with racism being directed towards me before. I know I’m in a new city and racism is very REAL here. I’m very cautious of my surroundings and how I react especially because I was by myself at this time, so I just smiled, said thank you, and walked out.

I got to my car and instantly had a talk with God. I was telling God how I felt, and how hurt I was, and why am I getting discriminated against? I didn’t even do anything. I was being nice. As I was venting my frustrations to him, He said, “now you know how my people feel.”

It was in that moment, my heart melted, and I was in tears. In that moment I felt all the hurt of those who had been discriminated against. I never specifically prayed for unity, but I know I need to now. My prayers may not make a huge difference; people will still think what they want to think and act the way they want to act, but I can try to make a difference one person at a time.

I know this will not be the last time I get discriminated against, but I can only pray that we as a people will come in “UNITY” for a greater purpose. It’s not about coming against each other, but coming “together” as “one!”

I wasn’t discriminated by one single race, and it wasn’t by what some would call privileged, a lot of the racism I experienced came from minorities of another race. I know my race is very few and in-between here in Memphis, but it still doesn’t make it okay to discriminate. No one deserves it and no one should ever have to experience it.

If we spread love, maybe that one person who felt they had to act a certain way towards a certain type of race may reconsider their actions. We may not be able to change a whole culture, but we can try changing one person at a time.

We need to spread love and show the love of God to everyone. This is when change will come.

John 13:34-35 (NASB) says: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”