East St. Louis versus St. Louis. St. Louis City versus St. Louis County. West County versus North County. What high school did you attend? Did you grow up east of Grand Avenue or north of Grand Avenue?
This is the never-ending belief that where you grew up or where you currently live somehow defines you or your status in society. This is certainly not unique to black folks; whites are just as guilty. I grew up in a small Midwestern town with a small black population, and the white people there classified other whites by what side of the railroad tracks they lived on.
It was before my time, but I was told there was an unspoken rule in the one and only Baptist Church in town that the darker-hued blacks sat on one side and the fair-skinned blacks on the other. And we get upset when white people discriminate against us? Give me a break! We are expert in doing it to ourselves.
Sad to say, but I truly believe that the nastier side of human nature makes people act and speak in this manner because deep down inside they are insecure and feel the need to feel superior. Stand tall and be proud of who you are and where you came from.
J. S.
Submitted via e-mail