“The talk” police, not sex

I'll tell you what I wish my parents had done for me. I wish I had "talks" as opposed to "The Talk". I was like 6 when my father, a white man, tried to give me the talk which was be extra nice to police officers, avoid Vietnam Vets, and be polite. As a kid, I didn't really understand.

I also wish I was told racist slang. It wasn't until I was getting bullied in elementry school with the China man rhyme, being called gook, and teased over my genitalia I realized maybe these things weren't cute games but maybe just maybe I was facing racism. In middle school, I wish my parents gave me the green light to get in fights if I felt like I was being bullied for my race. It wasn't later I found out they would've allowed it but like everyone else middle school succcckkkkkeeeddd.

As an adult, I've served America. I went to Afganistan and lost some friends, but I got the T shirt. I figured just like my white parents said I'd be a respectable citizen and no one would see my eyes and my skin. Nope, I get pulled over once by the police for speeding after coming home, and I got treated like how most people view Asian drivers. The officer did a double take because I didn't have an accent and then another one reading white ass name.

It would've been awesome if my parents revisited "The Talk" every few years to listen to my experiences, validate them, and explain what I going through. I also wish my parents told me getting into college would be more difficult for me. My white siblings got into GA tech with one with a 3.4 and another with a 3.9 . My white sister UGA with a 3.0. I didn't get accepted to either with a 3.6 GPA. It would've been awesome to know what specific challenges I may face but also advantages. My first job was a diversity hire from what my coworkers told me.

That said, it's not all bad. I'm Vietnamese and whenever I run into another Viet it's like the Spiderman meme and an instant connection where we will talk for a few minutes before parting ways. I get extra food when I order in person at a Viet place. It's like being in a club depending where you are. I wish my parents explained this bit to me as well, so I wouldnt have a pity party for myself. I hope something in here helps.

TLDR: I would've loved multiple talks throughout the years talking about not just how I may be or have been treated, but also the good things of being unique along with the unique challenges a specific race may bring. I hope something in here helps.

/r/Advice Thread