Black Lives Matter!
I have personally experienced racial discrimination in various forms since I moved to the U.S. on September 26, 2001.
October - November 2001: A certain college trashed my Placement Test scores (because I had done well) and then asked me to retake the test.
2004 - 2005: A certain HR manager refused to allow me to become a cashier because he "doubted my English," but most importantly, he said that I might have stolen someone else's legal documents because my I-94 Card only had my photo stapled to it. However, the Store Manager and another friend of mine (a Caucasian guy who was also a manager and a retired Army Major) rebuked him. They facilitated my transition to becoming a cashier.
June 2009: Arkansas' State Troopers pulled me over for driving a Lexus (because when a black person drives a nice car, the police automatically assume that either s/he has stolen that car or s/he is a drug dealer).
August 2010: I interned at a certain company, and every morning, random employees would stop by my cubicle to check if I was still there. One morning, a Caucasian lady stopped by and asked, "Are you still here?" And I replied, "yes, why?" And she responded that "we thought you would quit because this job might be too hard for you." But I told her that I did many harder jobs as a child in a Refugee Camp in Ethiopia, so this job was nothing to me.
All in all, being a black person is often associated with being illiterate, lazy, and/or criminal.
Rest in peace, George Floyd.
Sustainability Policy and Governance Consultant
3yInteresting article.From reading of your piece, it seems you have experienced and endured quite some attacks from life's rough waves. Hang in there, brother. Do your absolute best to the extent humanely possible. I believe our life has purpose and exist for some end. I am not sure this helps, but my parents often repeated these words too me, and many years later, I have found their counsel and words even richer: " Most instant coarse judges of the externals of shape, height, skin colour, status, etc have no x-rays of your inner person. Their minds have been diseased by their eyes that see only the externals, and inaccurately profile God's masterpiece". That counsel has meant a lot to me over the years, and is what I share with many, including my little girls. You too are God's master piece. All the best, stay safe and watch God's upcoming and exciting video, period by period, of his masterpiece: You! ( And yes, Dad is no longer here, and with the Lord now. Mum is still here but age is slowing her now, but still sharp as ever.)
Sr. Accountant at Oncor Electric Delivery
4yI wonder where some human being got their evil Weaken heart from to look down upon the rest? Yet we all claim to be children of one God? Sickening! Proud of you Molen. Keep your Head up! Keep killing those with heart of hatred with a simple smile.
Founder and CEO @DAB DRT @AfriDATAi
4yAlier Ëë R. my response to their prejudice was ignoring them as they are not even there. However, it is starting to get to my skin as I become a father of two smart boys and thinking that their intelligence will be questioned by some ignorant out there. Stay strong brother !
Director, Enterprise Applications | MSN
4yYou are one of the smartest and nicest people I know! We are lucky to have you on our team!