Has a person of a different race had a positive influence on you?

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   dianetrotterposted 11 years ago

   Has a person of a different race had a positive influence on you?
   
   Throughout life we meet people who are from a different race.  Some have a great impact on us and help shape our outlooks on life.

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2. 68

   Michele Travisposted 11 years ago

   Yes,  I had a father who is black, he is not my biological father, but is still my father. We used to  get strange looks when we go out shopping, or go somewhere for any reason. Once we were even insulted verbally. I turned around and wanted to insult that person also. However, my father put his hand on my shoulder, and told me to let it go and forget about it. He told me it you don't forget about the insults they can burn up inside you.  He died a few weeks ago.   
   I even wrote a hub about racism, and included his picture in it.

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      dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh Michele I am so sorry he passed away.  Several weeks ago I was with Ida Moose.  I called her several times this week and got no answer.  I called Faye and she is going to check on her.  Going to your Hub right NOW!

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      Michele Travisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, he meant a lot to me.  The entire family still does.  His daughter told her daughter I am her aunt.

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3. 91

   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   Yes. When in foster care 22 of my placements were with black families. They were mostly great. I became very "cultured". I got to see a way of life that in many ways was very different than most white homes I was in. My last placement was in a mostly black independent living facility. I became greatly attached to a black woman  who worked there who treated me like her own. I still believe that she molded me into the person I am today and I am very thankful she was part of my life!

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      dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'm glad this lady had an impact on you.  Many of my students are in foster or dysfunctional homes.

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4. 73

   stanwshuraposted 11 years ago

   There have been several that I can think of on the spot.  McCoy Tyner - jazz pianist, Rosa Parks, Barack Obama, Jackie Robinson, and several local leaders, friends and mentors of African, Latino or "Hispanic", Middle Eastern, Asian and Native/indigenous decent.  Given some time, I think I could come up with several dozen or more.

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   1. 61

      dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I teach high school piano and choir.  I just saw your profile.  You have a very interesting life.  I love working with students with disabilities.  Parents are supportive and  proud when they see their kids on stage.

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      stanwshuraposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Diane.  Both the piano teaching and special/multiple needs work/service have been very fulfilling and heart-swelling.  Unfortunately, "interesting" includes a rather trying plate of trials and hardships past and present.

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5. 76

   johnsonrallenposted 11 years ago

   Yes, most definitely. My wife is Asian and I spent 3 years in Asian countries, learning from and admiring all sorts of people. While not a different race, I also lived in the Ukraine months after the Soviet Union collapsed, as well. As a 13 year old at the time, it was absolutely life changing. Here was a group of people I grew up being told to hate: Soviets were dangerous and bad people. I learned quite the opposite. I'll always be thankful I had that year to truly learn we as humans, from different races, cultures and nationalities, are not so different as we think.

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6. 79

   quildonposted 11 years ago

   There are many. Some of them I'm no longer in touch with either because I moved away or they did, but I consider them all my friends. I have had friends who are white, Indian and Filipino. The members of my writer's critique group are all white and over the years we have become really good friends. We not only discuss our writing but our personal lives as well.  When I lived in Georgia one of the volunteers in a school where I worked befriended me and always brought me banana bread that she made from scratch. One day a boy in that school called me the "n" word. When I told her about it, she looked so ashamed and sad, I felt more sorry for her than I did for myself.

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   1. 61

      dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It seems that people who interact on a personal level with other races have a healthier world view.   A lady I worked w/ in college asked me to babysit.  3 year old was so afraid that she wanted me to sleep  w/ her.  In bed, she asked - R U an "N?"

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7. 58

   taburkettposted 11 years ago

   YES-I was face to face with an enemy Vietnamese combatant.
   My weapon was aimed - but never discharged.
   My harness had become tangled and when I cut the cords, the metal clasps became lodged as a CROSS upon my chest.
   When my enemy saw this, he did not fire but lowered his weapon.
   He pulled a gold cross from under his tunic.
   He then said something, but the only word I understood was GOD.
   He was wounded and I assisted him in securing a bandage to stop the bleeding.
   We then prayed together silently.  I shook his hand.
   He then went back to his camp and I went back to mine.
   I only had 2 weeks to go on my assignment.
   When returning home, I immediately asked to be baptized.
   This person definitely changed my life.

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   Sri Tposted 11 years ago

   Yes, I tried to understand why a lot of people were mean for no reason, even when you are kind to them and how to not be affected by them. I looked at different answers from several religions. Most of them suggested that one should just forgive others but still endure the emotional pain. Then I came across eastern philosophy. Some Asian teachers taught easy ways to never be affected by others at all. I had no idea that it was possible to be totally free of all negativity and never be affected by whatever others do. I learned how to be totally free of all negativity, emotional pain and suffering from Eastern Indian, Chinese and Japanese spiritual teachers.

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      dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Have you ever felt a connection with someone from another nationality.

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      Sri Tposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, fortunately almost all of them. I have been associated with people from all around the world.

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9. 0

   Ben Blackwellposted 11 years ago

   I have been from people I know, but I'm going to give you an example with people I've never met.
   
   I am a jazz musician and have been influenced by people such as John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner.  There are a great many others who are not of the same race as me, but have greatly influenced me.

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      dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Ben!  What is your instrument?  I teach piano and choir.

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      Ben Blackwellposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      My instrument is tenor saxophone.

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    DDEposted 11 years ago

    Yes I had many friends of a different race when I was back in South Africa and wish I  could see them again it is amazing how different people influence other races in so many ways as I have been.

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    1. 61

       dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Hi DDE, Were you impacted by racism in South Africa.

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    Express10posted 11 years ago

    My high school music teacher, figure skating coaches of various races, and family members of various races have all had positive influences on me.

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    1. 61

       dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       It's interesting how music has an impact on relationships.  I just dropped 3 of my former students.  One was on the cell w/ a friend.  The friend told her she was weird for hanging out with the teacher.

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