Interestingly, I have received absolutely zero comment on this series. Often, I get comments on the site or when I see Pink friends or via IM or email. The radio silence is pretty deafening. What's the deal? Are you afraid to discuss it? Still processing your own reactions? Well, fear not -- I am in a question-answering mood these days it would seem. Here are some questions I imagine you might have. Or perhaps that you should have. So let's pretend together that I am taking questions from a live audience that includes, of course -- dear reader -- you.
PinkThunder: Yes, why don't you get us started?
Internet Genius: That must have totally sucked.
PT: Sir/ma'am, that's not a question.
IG: I know. I'm just saying. Dag. I'm really sorry that you had to go through that.
PT: Well, that is mighty sweet of you to say! The fact of the matter is that all of that happened almost 30 years ago. I see it all much differently than you perhaps. While you are experiencing your feelings about what happened right now, I did that a long, long time ago. I see it more like a movie in my mind's eye and have a fair amount of detachment and clarity about what happened.
IG: Reading this series was like watching a car accident. It made my stomach hurt. It made me sad and angry.
PT: I know. It's ok, though. Ain't no rain ever gonna fall on my parade. Not for long anyhow. You've got to know that by now! Helen Keller said: "Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow." That's my modus operandi, focusing on the positive, not the negative. And honestly, I can't say that I personally experience racism very often at all these days. In many ways, we really have made a lot of progress.
PinkThunder: Yes, you in the camouflage T-shirt...
Jet-setting Journalist: Is it even possible, outside of Hong Kong kick flick movies using special effects, for some of what you describe to happen? Like one kid taking on a bunch of other kids?
PT: Looking back, it does seem remarkable, doesn't it? I must have been a real pistol back then! A tiny tigress! I can only tell you what I remember. But as Nabakov would tell you, memories can be misty and malleable. Anyway, it's not the size of the dog in a fight that matters, as the old saying goes. It's the size of the fight in the dog.
JJ: Followup for you: did all or any of that stuff really happen?
PT: Again, all of the stories are based in real events, yes. Did I use poetic license and creativity to fill in a few gaps? Yes. Did I highlight the most dramatic events? Yes. Did this kind of thing happen daily back in grade school? No. Not even weekly.
PinkThunder: You -- holding the teddy bears?
Undercover Puppeteer: But, weren't you scared? I'd be scared.
PT: Of course I was scared, dumpling! You try being 6 and having a bunch of kids bigger than you chase you -- and you didn't even do anything to them. It was very scary. I don't remember fear being the dominant emotion. I would say determination was the main emotion I tended to feel at the time. I learned how to use the fear to make me smarter, faster and stronger. I converted the fear into energy and adrenaline.
PinkThunder: You there with the crying baby?
New Mommy: Is this one big allegory? Or metaphor? I get it. But I'm not sure I fully get it.
PT: There are some metaphors in there. And some allegories. Yes. I think if you take something away from any of the stories, that's enough. Don't be so hard on yourself. If you are interested in learning more about racism from unique perspectives, I recommend "Black.White." the TV show on the FX network and either of the classic books, Black Like Me or Soul Sister. Black Like Me was very famous when it was first released and was made into a movie. All of these involve white people walking in black people's shoes. And in the case of Black.White. -- vice versa. I personally think we should get beyond black and white and start talking about red, brown and yellow. America is and has been for a long time a lot bigger than just black and white.
NM: Thanks -- we could use some reading material with all the late nights and sleep deprivation!
PT: I'm here for ya, babe.
PinkThunder: You in the black beret?
Human Rights Avenger: So do you hate white people?
PT: Never! How could I when I was loved and protected by brave, steadfast white friends, teachers and neighbors! Black -- White...ultimately I find these labels to be pretty meaningless in the grand scheme of things.
PinkThunder: You with the Sister Locs?
European Adventurer: Why did you write this series?
PT: Good question. I just started writing one day and couldn't stop.
2 hours just flew by. And one story led to another. There are a number of inspirations I could point to, but in the end, I
wanted to share my experiences as a way to let people into another
world that doesn't get much exposure these days. Right now, everyone is
eager to put the dark past of racism behind us and focus on the future.
I think that is valid, yet we can't ignore how the past shapes our
present and future. Those kids who attacked me are among my
contemporaries today. They are out there somewhere. As are those who
stood up for me. How did their experience with me shape their current
thinking today? I wonder.
EA: Are you going to write a book someday?
PT: If I live long enough. I think I still need to experience a few
more things and practice my creative writing. And achieve greater detachment and maturity. If I do write a book,
don't worry, I will change all names to protect the innocent. And
guilty.
PinkThunder: Yes, you -- way in the back near the exit.
Handsome Healthcare Professional: Is what happened why you are so guarded, at times?
PT: It's probably a contributing factor among others. Sure.
HHP: And the occasional insecurities?
PT: Sure.
HHP: The idiosyncrasies? The aggression?
PT: Next question, please!
PinkThunder: You there, dressed in rags, down in front?
Prince in Exile: Is this about my parents?
PT: Why does everything always have to be about you? How did you get in here anyway? SECURITY!
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