Racism

I am Madi. In 2020, when I was living in Madison, my friend Byer said to me multiple times, “Madi’s not white.”

I took it as a compliment, and I even think it was meant as one, but I only realized years later how racist he was being. For a long time, I understood racism as being only white people being prejudiced against and having systematic advantages over people of other hues, particularly black people. And in large part, it is.

However, when I said to someone recently that I would never procreate with them because they were too white, they replied with, “That’s racist.”

I was taken aback. Me? Racist? I would admit this was a mean thing to say, but actually racist?

The last time anyone had accused me of being racist was when I was about three. I innocently asked my mom if black people were more closely related to monkeys because they had dark skin. Instead of just saying no, she immediately became very angry and scolded me for saying such a thing. I remember being very shocked and confused at this.

Anyway, I came to understand that I was in fact prejudging a person based on their race. This, as a concept, is majorly problematic. So, is it problematic to look at the big picture?

I think I might want a kid someday. With this person, the child’s genes would not have the greatest variation within their genetics, and therefore would have a fewer number of traits to select from during creation than someone with more genetic diversity.

But, I am happy with this person. They don’t want (any more) kids. And for a long time, neither did I. I have never liked any one person enough to want to procreate with them. Not until now, that is.