Joe Turner's Come but not Gone from "post-racial" U.S.

White Supremecist DC Shooting in Post-Racial America

            Living in the small town of Puno, Peru, racism and even race based on skin color were matters of little concern. It’s not a highly diverse town and the people that have heritage from Asia or Africa are more or less respected. In my family alone I have a cousin that has an African heritage, and we all love her. Racism came in the form of people of the upper class disrespecting the indigenous low-class citizens. It is for this reason that coming to the U.S. was a shocker when I learned about the treatment of African Americans and other cultures, not only throughout history but in the present day.
            My mom and I tried coming to the U.S. before but knew it would be costly and based on luck. We were fortunate to find my step dad, who is a U.S. citizen to help us. He evidently made the process faster because we witness the difficulty other people experienced. It was most clear when my cousin wanted to obtain her visa. She tried twice with no success. My mom and I knew that if my step dad had been there it would have taken only one attempt.
            When I ponder about our experiences living here I realize that racism has not really knocked on our door because of the fact that we have my step dad with us. My mom and I were able to obtain our temporary residence, green card, and then our citizenship with his help and presence. I know this because my mom and I have talked to people that waited 20 or more years to finally obtain their documents. One of my uncle’s friends obtained his citizenship at the age of 70. He came to the U.S. when he was 21.
            Although open racism against my mom and I has not happened yet, I have experienced innocent offensive acts mainly about my accent. On my first day of school in the U.S. I remember seeing people speak, but I did not understanding a word they said. At one point these two boys came up to me, said something, laughed at my confused look, one said something else, and both laughed harder and walked away. I will always wonder what they had said to me and believe that it was something bad because i could not understand a word they said. Throughout elementary school there would be times when some students would laugh or make fun of the way I said certain words. I would be annoyed, but as time went by I realized that my accent is part of me and even if people make fun of my speech, I should just join in their laughter because there is nothing I can and want to do about it.
            Apart from these acts there have just been ignorant, stereotypical comments made about me. “Are you Spanish?”, “Are you Mexican?”, “Do you speak Spanish?”, “Are you illegal?” are just a few of the numerous questions I have come across that are offensive and angering.
            I have been blessed with good fortune being a young Latina/ Hispanic female immigrant in the U.S. It is for this reason that racists’ acts such as the one that occurred at Santa Monica HS are shocking yet believable. I know through hearing the experiences of friends and other people that racism lingers on. I know and people know there is no post-racial America. Joe Turner’s ghost is walking about and has not rested yet. The Santa Monica case says it, Reggie says it, “A Fair Game?” says it, and most importantly statistics say it.  How is it possible that America is post-racial when a black man without a record cannot get a job, while a white man with one can? How can America be post-racial when minority students are being suspended more than white students? I need answers fellow citizens that believe America is post-racial. If you can answer these two questions I will erase my entry and apologize to you.
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