In America there is institutional racism that we all inherit and participate in, like breathing the air in this room - and we have to become sensitive to it.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
We must confront our own racism. Discriminatory housing and employment policies are nothing more than institutionalised racism.
That's what is always fascinating about racism - how it is allowed, if not encouraged, to flourish freely in public spaces, the way racism and bigotry are so often unquestioned.
Racism is a physical experience.
Racism, unfortunately, is part of the fabric of America's society.
As black folks we're always sensitive. As a black person it's always racial.
Racism tears down your insides so that no matter what you achieve, you're not quite up to snuff.
Racism springs from the lie that certain human beings are less than fully human. It's a self-centered falsehood that corrupts our minds into believing we are right to treat others as we would not want to be treated.
We all have cultural bias, racial bias. One of the difficult things around this subject matter is to deny that we have places we go to subconsciously, and unless you consciously decide that that's wrong and you've got to do something about it, especially if you're in a position of power, it won't change.
I remember sitting there on my father's couch or my mother's couch, listening to this lecture about how there were two groups and we had to be separated. We've come a long way from this kind of open racism. And I think it's wonderful.
I have nothing to do with racism in America; it was here when I got here.