I was at the Blazers last regular season game, which was, coincidentally, against the L.A. Clippers. As we stood for the national anthem, I realized that the man next to me was very tall. When we sat down, I asked him if he had played basketball. He said that he hadn’t and that he was the wrong color to play basketball. I didn’t know what to say, so I kind of chuckled and turned my attention back to the game. I then noticed the color of the men on both teams. That is how discrimination is perpetuated.
I wished I had responded in a way that reflected my surprise and displeasure in the comment. I will be practicing a response for the next time someone assails me with their prejudice. And hopefully I’ll never need to use it.
Deborah Bray
Brush Prairie
