have to learn to accept a certain level of sec- ond-class citizenry – in order to stay sane. Because to stew on the totality of our experi- ence can literally be maddening. It can lead you to down the path to alcoholism, drug abuse, and spiral you into depression. The one thing I noticed when I stepped off the plane in Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport about five years ago was the absence of this hazy racist cloud that exits in the US – and I felt that relief again in Geneva. And cloud is the perfect word because clouds, haze, and cli- mate are atmospheric terms. They’re not caused by the actions of an individual or group of people, just present in the air. There are racist people in every country


in the world. But a racist climate is all encom- passing. And when a rain cloud bursts, it usu- ally gets everything wet. Yet we’ve all seen a storm blow over an area and certain commu- nities remain dry. The rain can potentially wet all of us – good people who are not racist, people who embrace all different cultures, as well as bigots. But America allows an option for certain people to create thunderstorms, while enjoying the shelter of living in the dry communities if they so choose. And of course, not all people in this particular group use that option. My wife and most of my non-black friends avoid those areas. These people have chosen the more respectable option of buying an umbrella. But throughout Europe, I have not


been followed around in any stores, every po- liceman I’ve come in contact with was polite and very helpful – in Denmark, the Nether- lands, Germany, Spain, France, and in Geneva. The people were friendly toward me and my wife, and there doesn’t seem to be an issue with the fact that we are a mixed-race couple. I’ve never heard the word “nigger,” or been treated like one in any European coun- try. It’s just a damn shame that I have to travel damn near 5,000 miles across the pond to other countries to be treated with dignity and respect by white people who are not close


friends of mine. Because I struggle to find this same scenario in the country I was born and raised in, where I’ve been nothing but a law- abiding, taxpaying citizen. And that’s me laughing to keep from cryin’. •


Anthony Richardson is an entrepreneur, inventor and writer living in Atlanta. He graduated Magna cum laude from FIU, was a Ohi Beta Kappa member and holds a Masters (MPS) in Tech Entrepreneurship from University of Maryland. Be sure to visit his blog site bigaknowsitall.wordpress.com/


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