When racism cuts, Michelle Obama helps us
Without a second thought, I freeze with terror when I see a police officer -- in any country -- or wake up in a panic when I know that my son is driving home late. It often feels like there's no escape from this nightmare.
Michelle Obama called 'ape in heels' 01:22
So when I saw watermelon slices scattered all over my patio, I took it as a form of racist intimidation. The problem was, I wasn't in the United States. I was in Costa Rica, where watermelon is just a delicious fruit
enjoyed by all. There's
no racial stigma attached, no lingering racist Reconstruction Era cultural stereotypes about lazy blacks and watermelons.
Calm down and breathe is what I told myself as I cleaned up those watermelon rinds. It's nothing. But generations of toxic cultural indoctrination do not die easily
When racism cuts, Michelle Obama helps us heal (opinion) - CNN.com