I finally was able to go out and have sushi with my boyfriend for the first time ever. I've had sushi before, but he had never experienced fresh sushi, so this was a first for him and a very successful first (except I forgot he doesn't know how to use chopsticks...that was funny and horrible at the same time). As expensive as it was though, we both had a lot of fun, and he even ordered some for carry out so I could have some the next morning too.
I ended up going out later that night with his sister and one of her friends. I had fun, but I realize that I don't enjoy drinking like I used to. I think it's because what I was drinking. I'm more of a beer or wine girl, and that night I was downing vodka red bull and jack and coke. I think I've grown out of hard liquor and a mixer swing of things. Shots are never good because I always take waaaay more than I ever should and end up nearly getting alcohol poisoning every time. I know a lot of people may think, damn girl, you're getting old, but I don't see it that way. My taste preferences have just changed. Plus going home to a sober person every time I go out is kind of lame.
Yesterday got me thinking about a lot of things in my life, the relationships I've established, etc. Talking to my boyfriend's parents made me realize a lot about myself. I've been thinking about family and traditions and culture and I've come to realize that with me, there is no such thing as a "white" culture. The differences between races is kept alive on both sides and I just don't associate with that. Someone telling me I act like a certain culture is a little insulting to me because I don't consider a certain culture belonging to a certain group only. I feel that the mix of cultures in this country should be shared with everyone. Understanding the origin is important, but secluding that to only certain groups of people in my opinion is what keeps segregation and prejudice and racism alive. Separate but equal is probably the most bullshit line I've ever heard. I may be considered a white woman, but I know that my heritage is entirely different from the next white person. I'm not Norwegian, Italian, French, etc. I come from a long line of Slavic ancestry on both sides of my family, and due to the way the world was at the time they migrated to the US, I can't necessarily determine which countries they all came from. The best I can do is name all the countries that were ruled under the empire reigning at that time. But even then, I don't consider that to be who I am. I'm a mutt of eastern European countries and cultures, and for that, I don't consider myself to be the stereotypical "white" woman. I have light skin, but that's it. The more I pick it apart, the more I start to think that "white" culture is more of the suburban upper middle class demographic. The yuppies, if you will. But that's not it entirely either. There's also the blue collar working class that can also be considered to be white culture. But the white people grouped in that demographic have been in America for a long, long time. Longer than my ancestors. My family migrated over here in the 1800s. My father's side didn't come over here until the late 1880s or 1890s. The dates escape me, but it was post Civil War era. I would consider a black person to be more American than myself because their family more than likely has been here longer than mine.
I'm starting to go down the crazy spiral of race and classism in the US and that is not what I'm talking about. I just get annoyed when someone says they can't do something because they aren't white. I feel that you're just prohibiting yourself from ever making something of yourself and showing that you're jealous of something deeper than skin color. Anyone can be or do what they want in this country, but they all like to make excuses for themselves instead and live up to the stereotype they've been slapped with. Very few get over that and I find it very sad and disappointing.
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