In The Margins: The Power of Experience

As we begin our month-long celebration of Black History Month, this week's In The Margins invites us to take a long, loving look at the real.  The history of our country and our Church has often been a source of anguish for our brothers and sisters of color.  Their experiences demand our attention, our accompaniment, and our compassion. This week our Sacristan, Quincy Krashna, shares with us his experiences living and working as a Black man in our society. As we reflect on his words, let us face our own personal and institutional histories with humility and courage. James Baldwin once wrote, "There is never time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment; the time is always now." Together, let us begin that work of salvation.

-St. Ignatius Parish

The Power of Experience
by Quincy Krashna

When I first started working here, many older parishioners wouldn’t even give me the time of day. Some still don’t. Unfortunately, I’ve dealt with people like this all my life. When I was in Catholic school, the nuns and other teachers only taught from a white perspective on all things. I've had racist teachers say 'your kind is only good for labor or playing sports.' I remember seeing a priest get drunk prior to Mass.  Afterwards, he got mad at me for breaking a glass and then called me a "little N-word bastard."

A typical day involves having to inform parishioners that they cannot just roam the back area of the sacristy and remove items that don't belong to them.  When I tell someone this, I'm usually presented with the comment, "I've been doing this for years," or "Why is the cabinet locked?" After I explain, I get the look that I've seen all my life: the "Who is this colored person telling me I can't do this?" look. This is all an ingrained mindset from society, passed-down traits, what was and is still being taught in school.

I don't think most White people have any idea what it's like for people of color in our society, the struggles that people of color continue to endure. So many just take it for granted that when they walk into a store the clerks greet them, or the salesperson will go to them first before serving a person of color. I've been followed in stores. I've experienced the feeling of having to work two or three times harder than a White person.  Of trying not to make a White person angry, because otherwise you're the "Angry Black Man." Of being pulled over and having guns drawn on me just because I fit the description "Black Male."

Why do I stay? I stay because I like the quiet atmosphere I get at points during the day and I enjoy some of the people I work with. In the end, this is just another journey for me to experience.