So, You're From Corbin, KY?

This week, while working, I met a man that was an African-American, 43 years of age. He and I became instant friends and he was not taken back by me, until he asked me where I was from. I hesitantly replied, "I'm from Corbin, KY." I am not ashamed of where I am from, but did not want to give off the wrong vibe by saying that particular sentence. This man was originally from Louisville, KY but had lived in many places in our nation...from Chicago to Cali, but he knew all about Corbin and the stereotypes that have been placed there over the years and all that they implied. He, a highly educated man, had read books about it...about my hometown.

I instantly began to think of my freshman year of college. I was sitting in my afternoon Sociology101 course, and the professor played a video, a video of Corbin, KY. As I watched, I saw people that I had knew and even some I had went to school with my entire young life. I was mortified by what they said. If you went to Corbin, you know/knew them, too....it was unbelievable the words they spoke. After the video, my professor asked the class if there was anyone present that was from Corbin, KY....I did not raise my hand, I did not acknowledge the comment as I was saddened by what had just unfolded in front of myself and my peers, and regretfully horribly embarrassed as to what my hometown represented that day in the fall of 1992.

Racism comes in many forms. I faced a battle of my own in the weeks that were ahead. The African-American young women on my dorm floor had preconceived ideas about me, when they realized that I was from Corbin, KY, left horrible messages for me on the dry erase board my roommate and I had placed on our door. When I returned to campus after going home for the weekend, I returned to horrendous racial remarks all over the door. It was then that I knew why they thought the things they did...but was not sure why they assumed that I fit that stereotype. I didn't. I never had went to school with any person of color, but it was because I never was given the chance.

This week, while standing in line at my two young children's school, I knew that they saw beyond color. I was so proud to witness their interaction with children of EVERY race. They just saw "friends." Simply, friends.

Ignorance is not bliss. Ignorance is taught...change your lesson plan friends if the ink in your pen inscribes hate or intolerance.