As I did research for an upcoming book on Black wealthy communities, I found myself getting a different view of segregation. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy sitting where I sit in the theater, eating out wherever I choose and having my pick of seats on trains and planes. However, seeing the heyday of Black societies created by Black entrepreneurs showed me a few positives I have only heretofore considered in passing:

There was respite from racism in a tightly knit community.

There was support for doing it ourselves. When White lenders wouldn't insure us or give us business loans and mortgages, we built our own banks.

Students were taught by culturally literate community leaders and educators.

There were other lessons, but those stand out. And if I can find the silver linings in segregation, what does that say about other ideologies that I might not be on board with? Might there be lessons learned if I simply dive in, read up and look at things from another angle? 

What if you pick ONE thing this summer and read the opposing arguments on that ONE thing with an open mind? What if you look at it from down instead of up or left instead of right? What if you purpose to learn about any one thing from a different point of view? 

If you're like me and segregation, you'll come up with more questions than answers, more what ifs. You'll come up with a fresh perspective.

If I were to teach on the Tulsa Massacre now, I would teach less about redlining and Jim Crow and more about the rich history that developed because of a tightly knit community that found strength in its reliance on its members. 

Now, your turn. Drop me a line on Twitter or Instagram and tell me what subject you picked!

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