When my parents divorced in '66, my siblings and I were thrust face first into the civilian black community, which was almost completely alien to us. To say our re-adjustment was difficult would be a massive understatement. In many ways, we never did fully meld with our black peers.
Quite honestly, you're from where you're from, and there's no faking it. In time I learned not to, and became quite popular by just being myself. I also had to earn respect by standing my ground, and never backing down from a fight, though I never once started one. I definitely finished plenty.
My teenage years were one helluva learning experience for me. I don't necessarily fear being in areas with high cocentrations of blacks, but it's only because I developed an acute and highly tuned situational awareness during my time in the ghetto.
More than that, I developed what I can only describe as a psychic response mechanism. When some black predator locks onto me, I instinctively send back a matching wave that lets him know I'm a dangerous target that's best avoided.
I was military and my kids had some "culture shock" when we arrived back from an overseas assignment. But, yours was more of a difficult road. I really admire you for navigating it.
I developed an acute and highly tuned situational awareness during my time in the ghetto. More than that, I developed what I can only describe as a psychic response mechanism. When some black predator locks onto me, I instinctively send back a matching wave that lets him know I'm a dangerous target that's best avoided.
Amen - I can relate to what you posted 100%.