I’m tired of a lot of things – politics, religion, Tom Brady. Know what I’m most tired of? The propagation of racism. It’s more detrimental to the existence of the human race than the other three things I just mentioned, combined.
A recent column in an Indy-area publication is the perfect example. The writer, who is black, detailed why Carmel was not for her, why it was disingenuous. Her colleague, a white co-worker, basically wrote a negative image of her effort; he loves Carmel.
But, he didn’t play the race card.
The former, amid more defensible slights, not-so-slyly noted Carmel’s predominantly white demographic in her 1,800-word takedown. I noticed.
This is not surprising. Slavery was abolished 147 years ago, and black Americans today are as equal as anyone. Yet the idea, the whisper, that present-day whites are still culpable for some moral misdeed, is damned tangible sometimes.
It’s a tired act, and it’s counterproductive.
I’m white. I don’t personally know anyone of my race who doesn’t see a fellow human as just that, without pretense. I feel good and bad come from all corners; that everything is to be taken case by case. Can the writer say the same?
She rails on Carmel’s downtown statues (agreed, they are a tad much) promoting parenting and literacy, yet glorifies an “old-school Impala blasting a … song so loud that the bumper shakes.” She says the city proper is more authentic due to the Chevy’s presence.
Given the internal struggles the black community faces today, I find that juxtaposition highly ironic.
The writer says Carmel is “a simulation of a city” – I’m curious as to what about walkability, hustle and bustle and increased commerce is faux. Would this city be viewed in a better light from points south if the streets had more potholes? What about panhandlers?
I’m house shopping in Carmel as we speak. My 5-year-old will lay his head here, and not in Indy. Why? Because for him, I don’t want that kind of existence. You’re right, Ms. Writer, most of that “unacceptable behavior” is left at the city limits.
And that’s something I’m not tired of.