Okay, sorry for the hiatus. Now where was I? Oh yeah, my list.
2. We appreciate our American citizenship. Go back to Africa is not a good comeback to this whole racism debate. Yes, I am an American citizen. I am also black or an African-American for lack of better terms. No, I have never lived in Africa, have never been to Africa, but I do hope to visit the motherland one day. Unfortunately, for me (and other black Americans) my ancestors were uprooted from their homeland and savagely shipped to a foreign land with different languages, different customs, and an entirely different culture. Therefore, we created our own which is entirely separate from many cultures in the different countries of Africa. No, we cannot just go back. I don't speak Swahili. I appreciate the significant steps that American citizens of every color have made to ensure that our country is really equal towards everyone. HOWEVER, this does not mean that our work is done. Just because our living conditions are better than many countries does not mean we stop striving for excellence.
Well, I think I pretty much covered some specific things that were bothering me. In the end, we all want the same thing -our children to grow up in a beautiful world, being able to achieve anything that their little hearts desire. Regardless, of what most think, I know it might be a little harder for my children with the present state of the world. I've learned that people are pretty stubborn. I once read somewhere that by the age of 21, we've pretty much lost most of our imagination. We just accept the harsh realities given to us by everyone else. I refuse to accept this. The fiery rebel in me lives on promoting discussion on those topics that we try to keep out of our jobs and our schools. Even if my words only impact one person, or you disagree with my opinions, at least you've heard another perspective. Communication is the only possible i'll ever succeed in change for if not my children, then maybe my children's children. So I guess, I will save the world, if you won't help me.
P.S. If you've never read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho you should really read it.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Who's Gonna Save the World....
I used to be a revolutionary.
But, somehow, between high school and now, I lost my fire. I didn't even notice it beginning to dwindle my freshman year of college, but as I got deeper and deeper into my education, became more, and more of an adult, my flame diminished little by little. Luckily, I caught it before it extinguished fully. Seems as if I caught it just in time.
Now, racism is a part of American culture that I fear might not ever go away. With the wins of the civil rights movement, and the implementation of affirmative action I believe our country has made mega-strides in a positive direction. And although, Jim Crow has been dormant for about 50 years, in the words of the Rev. Al Sharpton, "his son James Crow Esq." is rapidly picking up speed. The events, prosecution, and opinions of the Jena 6 assure me that racism is still alive and well.
In a perfect world, we would all be equal. And, Lord willing, when I get to meet my maker, he will treat me the same as he would any other soul. But, guess what??? I don't live in a perfect world. As a matter of fact, the world we live in is far from perfect. And like, my Dad always says, "Life isn't fair." Maybe because of my upbringing its hard for me to understand, why some folks just don't get it. So in efforts, to brighten my once diminished flame, I want to clear some things up.
But, somehow, between high school and now, I lost my fire. I didn't even notice it beginning to dwindle my freshman year of college, but as I got deeper and deeper into my education, became more, and more of an adult, my flame diminished little by little. Luckily, I caught it before it extinguished fully. Seems as if I caught it just in time.
Now, racism is a part of American culture that I fear might not ever go away. With the wins of the civil rights movement, and the implementation of affirmative action I believe our country has made mega-strides in a positive direction. And although, Jim Crow has been dormant for about 50 years, in the words of the Rev. Al Sharpton, "his son James Crow Esq." is rapidly picking up speed. The events, prosecution, and opinions of the Jena 6 assure me that racism is still alive and well.
In a perfect world, we would all be equal. And, Lord willing, when I get to meet my maker, he will treat me the same as he would any other soul. But, guess what??? I don't live in a perfect world. As a matter of fact, the world we live in is far from perfect. And like, my Dad always says, "Life isn't fair." Maybe because of my upbringing its hard for me to understand, why some folks just don't get it. So in efforts, to brighten my once diminished flame, I want to clear some things up.
- Black folks just can't "get over" slavery. Slavery happened, and it happened for a long time. The pyschological, and financial, and emotional effects of enslaving a particular group of people for so long do not just cease once you free them, give them the "right" to vote (but not enforce this right entirely) , and put in place affirmative action laws. I've heard ridiculous responses; for example, Adrienne Curry from ANTM says that as rape survivor she had to get over it, and basically empower herself. It is ridiculous for her to believe that all rape survivors could react in the same positive way she did. If we are going to celebrate our individuality and uniqueness, then we have to understand that all of us are different, and what works for some might not work for others. Sure there are many blacks, that against all odds, and by odds I mean lack of income, lack of role-models, lack of a proper and decent education, etc, etc. end out on top. But, everyone can't succeed with so many shortcomings from the start.
Who's Gonna Save the World....
I used to be a revolutionary.
But, somehow, between high school and now, I lost my fire. I didn't even notice it beginning to dwindle my freshman year of college, but as I got deeper and deeper into my education, became more, and more of an adult, my flame diminished little by little. Luckily, I caught it before it extinguished fully. Seems as if I caught it just in time.
Now, racism is a part of American culture that I fear might not ever go away. With the wins of the civil rights movement, and the implementation of affirmative action I believe our country has made mega-strides in a positive direction. And although, Jim Crow has been dormant for about 50 years, in the words of the Rev. Al Sharpton, "his son James Crow Esq." is rapidly picking up speed. The events, prosecution, and opinions of the Jena 6 assure me that racism is still alive and well.
In a perfect world, we would all be equal. And, Lord willing, when I get to meet my maker, he will treat me the same as he would any other soul. But, guess what??? I don't live in a perfect world. As a matter of fact, the world we live in is far from perfect. And like, my Dad always says, "Life isn't fair." Maybe because of my upbringing its hard for me to understand, why some folks just don't get it. So in efforts, to brighten my once diminished flame, I want to clear some things up.
But, somehow, between high school and now, I lost my fire. I didn't even notice it beginning to dwindle my freshman year of college, but as I got deeper and deeper into my education, became more, and more of an adult, my flame diminished little by little. Luckily, I caught it before it extinguished fully. Seems as if I caught it just in time.
Now, racism is a part of American culture that I fear might not ever go away. With the wins of the civil rights movement, and the implementation of affirmative action I believe our country has made mega-strides in a positive direction. And although, Jim Crow has been dormant for about 50 years, in the words of the Rev. Al Sharpton, "his son James Crow Esq." is rapidly picking up speed. The events, prosecution, and opinions of the Jena 6 assure me that racism is still alive and well.
In a perfect world, we would all be equal. And, Lord willing, when I get to meet my maker, he will treat me the same as he would any other soul. But, guess what??? I don't live in a perfect world. As a matter of fact, the world we live in is far from perfect. And like, my Dad always says, "Life isn't fair." Maybe because of my upbringing its hard for me to understand, why some folks just don't get it. So in efforts, to brighten my once diminished flame, I want to clear some things up.
- Black folks just can't "get over" slavery. Slavery happened, and it happened for a long time. The pyschological, and financial, and emotional effects of enslaving a particular group of people for so long do not just cease once you free them, give them the "right" to vote (but not enforce this right entirely) , and put in place affirmative action laws. I've heard ridiculous responses; for example, Adrienne Curry from ANTM says that as rape survivor she had to get over it, and basically empower herself. It is ridiculous for her to believe that all rape survivors could react in the same positive way she did. If we are going to celebrate our individuality and uniqueness, then we have to understand that all of us are different, and what works for some might not work for others. Sure there are many blacks, that against all odds, and by odds I mean lack of income, lack of role-models, lack of a proper and decent education, etc, etc. end out on top. But, everyone can't succeed with so many shortcomings from the start.
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