Walking into a store these days with masks can sometimes be uncomfortable and challenging. We walked into a store us being black and the two greeters being white men I instantly felt butterflies in my stomach for why I don’t know. We told them we had an appointment and they were friendly enough and went to get our sales person. As Jimmy our salesman approached us he thought he recognized my hubby as a guy he knew. After realizing my hubby wasn’t who he thought we all chuckled still wearing our masks and I made the statement. “ well you know Jimmy All Blacks look a like.” Not knowing how Jimmy would receive my comment my hubby looked at me and as we are all about to sit down at Jimmy desk, Jimmy looked at me and took his masks off and started smiling with a chuckle. It was for sure and indeed the icebreaker that was needed. At the moment I noticed a comfortability with Jimmy and thought

 YES! Let’s Chat.

Jimmy went on to say how he raised his kids not to see color and how all people were and should be treated equal. He show’d us a picture of his biracial grandson and spoke about how close of a relationship they have and how proud he was that his grandson was currently serving our country in the military. I told Jimmy about our organization asked him if he could explain to me how racism and discrimination has ever affected his life. His explained several different times where his environment had been racial charge but he spoke up and did what was right. One for instance he talked about made my heart warm and I would like to share. Jimmy is a man of a particular age so back in his day where he lived different groups, clubs, and organizations didn’t allow Blacks to join. Unbeknownst to Jimmy belonging to this club invited his Black friend that he became considerably close to invited him to join the club. Well upon bringing his friend to the club the initial reaction was startling for the guys but once they got to know Jimmy’s friend they also formed a friendship and offered him membership. This man was the first black man to be accepted into this chapters organization. I understand the idea of teaching your kids not to see color which is a beautiful and innocent way to live and I taught my kids the same thing and for this outcome with Jimmy and his friend it show’d the positive that can come out of a situation if you accept someone by their character and not their color.

Thank you Jimmy for sharing your story and allowing me to share it.