When I was young, very evangelical, and pretty much the only black person at my school and churches, these are some of the things good, god-fearing, white christians told me/did to me:
I was the product of the Curse of Ham and that why, you know, the negro problem.
That I am equal with them, in Christ, but stick to dating in your race.
In 1981, I was a handful of black students who were invited to go to another christian school, when ours closed, and because of parental "concerns" we were segregated to a class of our own. In 1981. In Redondo Beach, Ca. It probably would have stayed that way until I went MLK on them and got that corrected.
Aparteid was acceptable because you "can't give people all their rights at once." Yeah.
I got called an "exeption," when I stated that when they made derogatory comments about blacks and I reminded them I was black. For the record, being called an exception is worse than being called nigger, to me.
That God was with the Republican party and I should be one. I was, for a while.
And yet, I stayed FOR YEARS in that religion.
I can't say why you stayed but I suppose it is similar to why people often stay in abusive relationships.
I hope this is a sign of progress in society. I was in college in the '80s, and I thought my fraternity was enlightened compared to others, but color did play a big factor in where you choose join. A few years ago I had the opportunity to revisit campus and to initiate a group of young men. The diversity of the group was incredible. All were brothers and color or sexual preference played no roll.
I have recently reestablished contact with a friend from those days who revealed that he is gay. I was sad when I realized he did not feel comfortable to deal with that at school.
@Rideauxb -- The most interesting thing about all of that is how people can continue this false notion of race when it is well known there is no such thing. We have ethnic backgrounds, yes, but that also has nothing to do with race. It is just geographical long term separation.
The only reason you can be singled out is because your ancestors didn't leave the equatorial belt early enough and those who remain will continue to have darker skin tone. Those who have moved to more northerly or southerly latitudes will all lighten over time until there is no major difference to point out. Last I heard is that it requires roughly 500 years before any noticeable change in melanin occurs.
Waxing eloquent for a moment, racism is very much like religion. It is bullshit based on bullshit used to justify bullshit. The differences between you and I are as pronounced as the differences between you and any other person of African origin. We are all related. According to my genes, I have several third cousins who make you look like a paleface from Boston. We've exchanged communications and had some good laughs along the way.
Sorry for your past exposure, bro. I've had it too, but for a different Trumped up reason. Just remember, you're among friends here.
I've always wondered why black people (or any color, for that matter) believe in christianity (or any religion really)? It's always been such a factor in keeping them repressed and separated (mostly by white people) throughout history.
As for #4, I've never understood the concept of "giving back" rights to the same people that had them taken by "you" in the first place. That makes zero sense.