Racism... Words and Thoughts of Robert Vincent

"I want to share some thoughts on race and racism, on why I think that America is still a racist nation and why I think that racism is so insidious and pervasive.

My political science professor, an Episcopalian teaching at Presbyterian College, told us, �I can accept a Black on equal terms in an impersonal relationship, or I can accept a Black in a personal relationship as long as he is not my equal, but I cannot accept a Black on equal terms in a personal relationship.�

In so many ways I find that remark still characterizes human relations in America today. I grew up in a strangely contradictory society. I had regular contact with African-Americans, but never in an equal relationship. My Black nursemaid took good care of me, and I loved Amy. Later we moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Mattie entered my life. These were kind and loving women who were gentle and knew how to raise children.

As I recall, my aunts and uncles had Black servants who were treated as part of the family, but never with equality. When I visited my father�s sister on her ninetieth birthday, I noticed her servant James. His eyes looked funny, the way that they do when people need surgery, so I said to my aunt: �Inez, James� eyes look like he may have cataracts.�"