What DOES it mean to be white ?

I started asking whites . . .

• I asked a 5 year-old, and she told me: "It's the color I never use in my crayon box."

• I asked a 7 year-old, and he told me: "It means you don't have a tan."

• I asked an 11 year-old, and he told me: "It means you re not Black."

So, I started asking blacks . . .

• I asked a 5 year-old, and she got this contorted look on her face, and said: "It means you don t like Blacks much."

• I asked a 7 year-old, and he quickly told me, "You're white."

• I asked an 11 year-old, and he told me, "White is an American... "

So, what DOES "white" really mean?

It's the contorted expression on her face.
It's that color some think we never use.
It's one smiling about her crayons, yet another thinking she's disliked.
It's that precious little child telling me that he's not American.

It's devastating.

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On Tuesday, August 7, 2001, Rebecca McLaren wrote:

The smallest surveys can sometimes say the most. Thought I'd share it with you. lnp -mac

On Tuesday, August 7, 2001, jeanne responded:

Yes, Mac, the small surveys can say the most, especially when you are a poet.

As a teacher of methods I would fuss to know how you got your sample, and mention that it's kind of small. But you're a pretty good methodologist; you didn't extrapolate your findings to all humankind. The poet in you stopped to listen in good faith. And yes, it is devastating as we begin to discover the Other, and realize how blind we have been.

It's hard for me to edit poetry. Especially when it comes disguised as a survey. Let me know if your poem's OK as is.

love and peace, jeanne

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