Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Describing Diversity

[carol collier (doctor5622no]

I strongly agree with Crystal. My experience is you don't know where you stand 
if this is not stated. I made the mistake of joining a cohousing community 
where a number of the members were terrified of Black people. If you follow the 
news, you heard that 48% of Trump's followers think that Blacks are more 
violent than whites but so do 31% of Hillary's followers. I do know other 
Blacks who are fearful of joining cohousing communities because they fear they 
will be tolerated but not accepted. People of color do not get to live in this 
"colorblind" world that too many people believe exists post-Obama's election. I 
can tell you many a story about  my fellow doctors (in a liberal city) who 
believe that Blacks are inherently violent and intellectually inferior to 
whites. 

      From: Crystal Farmer <crystalbyrdfarmer [at] gmail.com>
 To: cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org 
 Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2016 4:45 AM
 Subject: Re: [C-L]_ Describing Diversity
   

"But what is ?color?. The distinctions between people in terms of color
have nothing to do with white or non-white. Does anyone think of themselves
or their neighbors as non-white? Are any of us are white?"

I find that people who are in the majority race-wise have the privilege of
ignoring their race. They are able to look at other markers of diversity
when it comes to housing or community. It's simply not the case for
non-white people. When I apply for a job, talk to a realtor, or even go
shopping, my race matters. When our cohousing group talks about diversity,
I want them to be clear that they welcome diverse people. And that means
saying, "we have non-white and gay people." It matters to me, and I think
other people of color would agree. It needs to be said out loud.

Crystal Farmer
Charlotte Cohousing Community
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