The painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, ridiculous, etc., done by oneself or another:
He was overcome with shame.
Some people in this country who share my skin color have gotten used to a system that gives them power at the expense of others. They’ve gotten so used to it they think it’s normal and right.
There have been times when my whiteness has made me self conscious. For a while, I was the only white person that attended my church in Africa. I’d look down every once in a while and feel like covering my hands.
Over the past couple of months, my brother and I have been discovering our family tree. I know who I am now, and I can be comfortable in my skin. My white skin. I come from Nordic stock. This is what we look like. It’s not an indication of value or character. It shouldn’t give me privilege. The color of my daughter’s skin should not make her apprehensive when she leaves her house.
Please don’t judge me by the color of my skin, just as I will not judge you by the color of yours. Let’s see our diversity and celebrate it. Let’s look deeper and see that humans are one race.