Time for School
Laura prompt week
“Hey towel head.”
“I don’t like that,” Liz, head wrapped post shower, said, voice shaking.
“Like what?” Ellis asked, oblivious.
“Towel head. Or camel jockey.”
“You always laughed before.”
“I never liked it,” Liz said, voice stronger.
“It’s just a joke.”
“It’s racist.”
Liz’s paternal grandfather had come from Lebanon. Ellis had always made a joke of it. Liz had always let him. Until now.
Ellis, angry, started to retort, then paused. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” Sitting beside her, he took her hand. “I never saw the casual racism. I promise to do better. It’s never too late to learn.”
This Laura prompt came together with a few other things to inspire this story. Laura, thinking more of spiritual growth, offered the prompt, time for school. However, my mind has been on becoming more conscious of our inherent, unconscious racism.
I follow Rachel Ricketts on Instagram and am awaiting the arrival of her book, Do Better. As someone who is seen as white, I am working on owning my own racism. But part of my heritage is Lebanese (though it was my great grandfather, rather than grandfather, who came from Lebanon). My husband did, frequently, call me both towel head and camel jockey in the early years of our marriage, and, though uncomfortable with it, I went along. We’ve both become more sensitive to this kind of casual racism, and I think we all need to be learning, to be “in school,” if you will, around our inherent racism.
Every morning, during my meditations, I remind myself that every moment is filled with an opportunity to live my life in a new, more positive way. I have been thinking a great deal about the abuse and violence that is occurring in our world right now and I was thinking about my own upbringing. My parents never actively defended those who were being ridiculed or attacked but I never remember them sharing racist jokes or put downs. I don't remember them judging anyone based on their ethnicity or beliefs or colour. However, one day I took their simple lesson one step further. I spoke up when I was in a safe environment and the folks I was with were casting about jokes, and laughing at them, regarding sexual orientation. The first time was the hardest. I can't say I wouldn't be afraid to confront some strangers out there but within my circle, I now speak up. It is always time for school. It is always time to learn a better way. I like the direction you took with this, especially in this moment. Thanks, Dascha 💕