"Your friend says that if anyone were outside he would see him because he is standing outside. You hear sirens through the speakerphone" (15).
I am a a white male, and although I am aware of racism and sexism I have never had to actually experience it first hand. I am not able to tell you what it's like to be thought of as less intelligent, capable or trustworthy because of my race or sex. However Claudia Rankine can, and she does.
On page 15 of her book Rankine describes a situation where her friend is mistaken for a robber just because he is outside her house and is black. Although her neighbor might not have done it on purpose he subconsciously assumes that her friend is up to no good. Why? Because he is "a menacing black guy" (15).
It is an unfortunate fact in our current culture that people still hold stereotypical perceptions of certain races and genders. This is brought on by fear perpetuated by news stories focusing on sensational crime stories.
I agree. i think rankine had done a very good job at showing those small instances of racism that actually have the greatest affect because they happen to a great deal of people. Also, she is showing things that happen and are usually not thought or heard about in the majority of a community.
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