Back when I was 19 and living in Lee County, Alabama, I worked at this restaurant as a cook. One day, some co-workers and I were discussing Thanksgiving. A co-worker who was white mentioned black-eyed peas and collards. A black co-worker's eyes went wide open as he exclaimed "You eat black-eyed peas?" He seriously had no idea that white people did that.
Years later in a different setting, a black co-worker was telling me how it was growing up on his father's farm in rural Tennessee. He told me how he appreciates when people are open about what they believe. Neighboring white farmers made no secret about how they felt about race. But they would still conduct fair commerce with the black farmer, treating him as their equal. Despite his race, they found common ground with him.
We need to look for common ground in each other instead of focusing on the differences. Yes, I like collards, black-eyed peas, and corn bread. And when I have you over at my house to eat, that is what you will be served because they taste great.
I can find common ground with any underdog of society. It's really not that difficult. In my current position, I overheard a drilling worker who was black make a comment about how he would be the one targeted for a beating when the police show up. I replied, "You think you're the only one who has taken an ass-whooping from the police?" Common ground.
