Just when I have finally begun to visualize myself in America once again driving through a Burger King to enjoy my most craved food-the whopper. I come across some videos on Youtube that have slapped all of the American nostalgia out of my head onto my Tuscan Patio. The video was by a young black woman who ranted, “everything they say about black women is true.”

She went on and on about black women who wore weaves, worried about their weight or colored their hair blond were trying to be white. She also said that black women were only interested in men for money, yada,yada, yada. In other words, she was attempting to confirm age old stereotypes of black women being gold diggers, and sapphires. Mind you, I am a woman of color who enjoys fashion. I have never worn a weave. I love being thin and feel there is nothing wrong with being a part of mainstream society as opposed to being culturally segregated. Do I want to be white? No! Yet, I am an American and wish people would stop painting every woman of color with that same ragged, racist brush.

After watching a clips of the video, I turned it off and sat back in my chair thinking, “wow, when is it all going to stop?” I assumed like most people that the election of a person of color would some how serve to show everyone that America is a place where if one worked hard enough, dreams could be realized in any aspect of society. However, for some reason there is this segment of society whose only purpose is to ensure the survival of racism and old wounds. It is very rare for me to surf the web and not stumble upon websites, comments, or videos of a racist or antisemitic nature. I love Youtube for it’s videos but I am sick of the racist banter that will sometimes pop up in a tutorial about New Orleans cuisine. It’s pathetic and it needs to stop on all sides because it is not just black or white racism. It is Hispanics, black on black racism, Hispanics against Whites, everyone against Jews, etc.

So now, what do I do? Should I forget about returning to the US for fear of having to work with people who hold some of these views. I left primarily because I was sick of dealing with patients who would often come into my medical facility and judge me as an affirmative action hire based on skin color alone. After many years of dealing with snide remarks, I just needed to get away. Now, I am ready to return but I don’t want to deal with it anymore. I don’t want my children to have to deal with it but where do you go and how do you avoid these people? I am not saying Italy is a land of Utopian bliss at all. However, because I am an American, I have the privilege of being left out of their problems. Yet, even that comes with a price because it means that you are also out of the race for success because in this country, it is Italian first.

So many times, I wish there was something I could do to help other Americans realize what a great country we actually have. There is no glass ceiling if one is determined and when there are doors that shut, all it takes is the right foot to kick it down. Most often, one cannot say the same thing about other countries. For the owner of the youtube video, I would like to say, What is wrong with trying to be a normal every day American? Everyone group has people who dye their hair, wear extensions and desire to be thin. Why should Black women have to walk around with dreadlocks and saddlebag hips for the sake of “keeping it real.” Yes, we have freedom of speech but it would be so nice if people would use that voice to uplift society rather than keep it stagnant.