Hartford area, CT

[Cyber Wolf]

Originally Posted by slang

This quote kinda surprises me. That whole area of New England always seemed to welcome blacks. I've worked with more professional blacks in NE than anywhere else.....even Detroit.

Don't worry, you aren't the only one surprised by that. About 15 years ago, I was in Boston and even at around 10 years old, I could feel a flavor of racism...not negative hurtful racism but more along the lines of the Troubleshooter just said...they weren't sure how to handle me and my family and made assumptions from stereotypes seen on TV.

There's one incident in Boston that sticks with me to this day...My mom, dad and I were in the hotel lobby, my mom was checking us out and my dad and I were waiting nearby. A little white girl probably around 5 years old or so wandered up and just stared at us. After a few minutes of getting stared at, my dad asked if she needed something or if she was lost. The little girl came over, took my dad's outstretched hand and started to rub the top. After a moment, she looked up and asked "Doesn't it come off?"

Boston isn't the only New England area I've felt like a walking side show from the looks and stares I've gotten when I've been there, it's just the one that had the most for me. I wonder if I got so many stares because I totally don't fit the media's general portrayal of a young black female.