2008 Woodie Awards
Ignorance about racism still a lingering problem
By Mike Goodwin
Issue date: 10/14/05 Section: Opinion
I live and grew up just outside of Philadelphia. Yes, yes, you're precious Steelers are wonderful. I'm reminded every day by somebody. I'm not against them so don't hate me. Anyway, I do enjoy the quiet nature out here though, that is, until someone knocks on my door wondering where the party is. If I were answering the door pantless, I'd declare just a usual Goodwinian Friday night get-together with some friends. But this never seems to be the case, since I'm actually the reserved quiet one.
If you look at a map of Pennsylvania, there's a little tip on the eastern side that juts into New Jersey. This is where I live, not far from where Washington crossed the Delaware River during the American Revolution. I'm probably as far east as you can go in this state. The area I'm from has quite a bit of culture; All kinds really. One of the hardest parts of moving out here was the culture shock. There's a lack of, how should I say this politely, differentiation, which I'm not so used to.
I knew that before I came here though. I was as prepared as I could be without actually experiencing it. I've said twice now in this paper I'm very lenient with the way people are and what they believe for as long as possible until I find a danger involved with the attitude. It was a huge adjustment in finding patience to keep my mouth shut around people who freely tossed racial slurs around without knowing its true effect. I found it even more difficult when said people also claimed to have spirituality. In closed minds like that, other societies are penalized solely for their skin color.
I used to travel the overpriced Pennsylvania Turnpike from here to Philly until one unfortunate incident involving a traffic citation. A few broken dishes and a freaked out hall later, I said goodbye to temper tantrums and that six hour boring drive for another cross-state highway. I've taken Interstate-80 ever since. So many exits to what I believed to be so many interesting places in this state only to find disappointment along the way.
If you look at a map of Pennsylvania, there's a little tip on the eastern side that juts into New Jersey. This is where I live, not far from where Washington crossed the Delaware River during the American Revolution. I'm probably as far east as you can go in this state. The area I'm from has quite a bit of culture; All kinds really. One of the hardest parts of moving out here was the culture shock. There's a lack of, how should I say this politely, differentiation, which I'm not so used to.
I knew that before I came here though. I was as prepared as I could be without actually experiencing it. I've said twice now in this paper I'm very lenient with the way people are and what they believe for as long as possible until I find a danger involved with the attitude. It was a huge adjustment in finding patience to keep my mouth shut around people who freely tossed racial slurs around without knowing its true effect. I found it even more difficult when said people also claimed to have spirituality. In closed minds like that, other societies are penalized solely for their skin color.
I used to travel the overpriced Pennsylvania Turnpike from here to Philly until one unfortunate incident involving a traffic citation. A few broken dishes and a freaked out hall later, I said goodbye to temper tantrums and that six hour boring drive for another cross-state highway. I've taken Interstate-80 ever since. So many exits to what I believed to be so many interesting places in this state only to find disappointment along the way.
