Taken For Granted, Under-Appreciated: White Ain't Easy

The great Bayard Rustin.

If these kids were gay they'd show more pride:

In an English class, the teacher leads a discussion about a writing assignment in which students had to address this question: What does it mean to be white in the United States? One white student says she’d never thought about the question before. Another says “There’s nothing to write about because it’s nothing special.” A third says, “It’s just not a huge issue being white.”

A black student named Mike raises his hand. “It’s a privilege to be white in the United States,” he says forcefully. “You’re given respect. You don’t have to earn it, like other people do.” Before the bell rings, the teacher writes his words on the board,...

I'm not "special" now, am I, ba-lack man?

Then he grew up and his nightmares really began,...