Lisa D.T. Rice, an African American at the Bridge Alliance conference, had a message for an immigrant who needed to learn the real American racial context.
Lisa D.T. Rice has a message for immigrants
I met Lisa D.T. Rice at a Bridge Alliance unity conference. She was continuously engaged in substantive dialogue with representatives from various organizations around the country working on community, democracy, voting rights, women’s rights, criminal justice reform, and more.
There was one particular discussion that the entire conference found interesting. An immigrant from India explained how happy he was to be over in the U.S. His parents made it in America, so anyone should, as well as the clear implication. He also implied that African Americans should get over slavery.
Ms. Rice did not take kindly to his statement. She pointed out that his parents’ ability to make it here is a direct result of the work and pain of her ancestors, what they had to go through and still must go through.
I think the young man was a bit insensitive in not understanding Lisa’s attempt to explain the systemic nature of racism that still has its tentacles not only within our social structures but, more importantly, our economic structures.
One has to wonder if the young man forgot the damage that the British Empire did to his country. Did he forget that they were considered less-than? Did he forget the pilfer and its long-lasting effects on most Indians & Pakistanis?
Please listen to the entire interview. It is well worth it.
