What a time. With Black Lives Matter marches happening across the country following the death of George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police, NFL players are speaking out about their experiences with racism and demanding change.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams took the time to write tell his story in an Instagram post. And it’s worth your time.
My Mom is white my Dad is black. I grew up in Turner, Oregon which is 95% white. Early in school I remember learning about slavery and civil rights and kids making jokes and saying crazy stuff about me. The school’s solution was to have my dad come and take me on a walk. In middle school I was told I shouldn’t be alive because my parents should have never been together. In middle school kids were either so excited to read the books on civil rights and segregation because they got to say the N word, or they were turning and staring at me when it was my turn to read.
In high school I remember being called the N word during multiple football games. Never basketball or track because you’d be able see and hear who said it. In high school I remember white kids telling me I’m not “actually” black anytime black cultural topics are brought up.
For me, I felt racism weekly. Walking out of high-school one day to see KKK flyers on all the windshields of the cars.
These were just a few of the thousands of incidents of racism early in my life that stuck out. I had an identity crisis growing up not knowing with who or how to fit in. Fortunately I also had great friends who would stick up and stand for the cause.
I want to and am going to be an outlet for these kids going thru what I went thru. Im going to have a louder voice in bringing light to the hate.
I love my mixed family and friends. I’m thankful for my friends and family who have had the black community’s back, and my friends who had my back growing up and still do today.
My Dads life matters
My Brothers life matters
My Sisters life matters
My Niece and Nephew life matters
My Cousins and Aunties life matters
My Granny and Papas life matters
Proverb 6:16-19
In case you’re wondering, Proverbs 6:16-19 reads thusly:
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
What Williams said hits close to home for me personally. Literally. I was born just an hour north of Turner Oregon in Portland and spent my childhood in the rural parts of Oregon much like Turner. Subtle and unknowing racism is rampant there. What Williams illustrates here is not just believable, but the kind of thing I’ve personally witnessed. And yes, the KKK has a rather shockingly large presence in rural parts of Oregon.
I’m sorry you went through this, Tyrell. I can’t imagine going through that and respect greatly your ability to rise above it.
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