I don't yet understand the purpose of this thread, but I've always been intrigued with the topics of race and culture in this country.
I'm African-American. I've always lived in a major urban city and have never been arrested nor part of the penal system. I attended prep school, college and grad school.
My parents divoced when I was 12, and for a while I lived between 2 households-- lower middle class.
I am tall, but do not play basketball. In fact, I play piano-- classically trained, and also a former gospel pianist for several church choirs. (It paid the rent during college.)
I grew-up eating plenty of fried chicken, grits and grandmom's sweet potato pie. I hate watermelon.
I am not a swimmer. I enjoy ice-skating, rafting and low-level tennis (very low).
I am fascinated by medieval stories and Elizabethan culture, as well as African-American history and the Civil Rights Movement.
My favorite writers: Shakespeare, Ralph Ellison and John McWhorter. Favorite sitcoms: Cosby, Frasier and Lucy. Favorite artists: Michael McDonald, Angela Bofill (very ill now) and Herbie Hancock.
Is this going anywhere?
All I know is that I was blessed to have parents and a childood that afforded me a world of opportunities to explore what worked for me-- and what didn't. By never allowing a stereotype to define me, I open to discover and embrace my race and so much more. I simply embraced the world that was around me-- my life.