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White is the Color of My Skin
"One name I absolutely cannot stand is also the one I’m called most often: 'snow bunny'..."
By Jennifer Marshall
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Youth Radio's Jennifer Marshall deals with racism as one of the only white youth in her group of friends. Jennifer thinks that skin color does not define her as a young woman...and that people need to ease up on the white jokes because, all too often, they are especially hurtful. (January 21 on KCBS)
I am white. But as far as I’m concerned that doesn’t even begin to define the person I am.
I hang out with a diverse group of friends, and in fact, it seems the only times I spend with other white people is either at work or at home with my family.
Unfortunately, being pretty much the only white person in my group of friends makes me a target for being called names, or being the butt of a lot of “white person,” racist jokes.
And although a few of these comments may come from complete strangers, it always surprises me that my friends are the ones who hurt me the most.
One name I absolutely cannot stand is also the one I’m called most often: “snow bunny.” Basically, a snow bunny is a white girl who hangs out with blacks and dates black men. But to me it means that I’m someone who is submissive and easily taken advantage of by black men. And that’s just not true.
I can’t say I have it harder than people of other races who are discriminated against. I just think that the respect I give to my friends – regardless of race - should be returned.
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