Friday, September 9, 2011

So Much Racism in 2011? Really?

     I've been doing a lot of thinking lately.  I actually do think quite a bit, but I tend not to share my thoughts.   I thought I would say what's on my mind and voice my opinion on racism. 


    

     I think of myself as a sometimes naive, a very trusting and easy going person.  I try to see the world in color and not just black and white.  This is not to say that I don't make instant judgements or assume the worst in people sometimes, but I honestly try not to.  I go by the theory of "treat others the way I want to be treated."  I believe that we all have the right to be individuals and to have our own opinions. 

     I also am not saying that I don't stear towards people that are like me.  I think that is normal, but it doesn't mean that I am not open and willing to make friends with people from the "other" group.  It reminds me of high school.  In our school we had the Socials, the Blacks, the Freaks, the Nerds, the Jocks, etc..... and everyone was suppose to be hang out with people from "their" group.  I liked some people from the other groups, but it is hard to "go to the other side" sometimes.  Peer pressure....that is a whole different subject.

     Back to the subject of Racism though.  I was brought up to believe that all colors of people are equal.  I was brought up that no race is dominant over another and that all people are just that, PEOPLE.  Skin color should not be what determines a persons character.


photo is from http://www.theupbeatdad.com/2011/07/pride-and-prejudice-teaching-your-kids.html



     I am also not saying that I like all people.  I think that there are bad white people, bad black people, bad people of every race, BUT, I also think in those same groups there are so many good people. 

     There are several reasons that I started really thinking about racism, but I'll share the incident that Earl had at work the other day. 
            A couple at Earl's work were talking about how a black family moved into the house next to them.  "The black family is renting and are probably on welfare" (the rent is $1,700.00 a month....welfare.... I don't think so!)  This couple talked about sabotaging the other family to get them evicted and of course how could the landlord do this to them....rent to a black family!  A third person jumps into the conversation and says how he calls black people "Monday's" because everyone hates Monday's.  There was more said, but you get the gist of it.

     I really don't understand their attitude and especially in this day and age.  I really thought that society had come further than this.  A family is being judged soley on the color of their skin.  Earl's co-workers refuse to get to know their new neighbors and they are already filled with hate for them.  Why are they not giving this family a chance?  Maybe they aren't nice people, but chances are, they are nice and will make wonderful neighbors.  Chances are they are just another family that wants to enjoy their new home and live a happy and productive life. 

     Maybe I live in a bubble and just refuse to see all the negativity in the world.  I am just shocked and really REPULSED that racism is so alive in this day and age.  Black, Asian, European, Spanish, Indian, Arabic, etc, etc......we are all people.  People with their own unique cultures and colors, but still, we are all people, and deserve to be treated as such.  I think that we are all trying to achieve the same goal, to make it through life being happy, loved and accepted and to see our children grow up to happy and healthy.



   
      I also believe that racism is one of the most damaging and unfair things that parents can teach their children.  The Upbeat Dad explains this well "One of my strongest beliefs is that no child leaves the womb with any level of prejudice towards anyone. Babies are born innocent and come into a world with all kinds of divisions – ethnic, religious, political, economic and the list goes on. But babies are as innocent as they could be."
  
  "As these babies become toddlers and then pass through the different phases of development, they learn about the world that they live in. It’s a scientific fact that 90% of brain development occurs during the first three years of life."

     "Here’s an approach: be proactive in addressing these topics to children from the earliest stages of their lives. Teach them to love and honor themselves because they are truly wonderful and special. At the same time, teach them to love, honor and respect others – whether they look like them or not."



photo from tcsidewalks.blogspot.com and edited by me
    

     Actually living in a bubble is sometimes kinda nice....I get to see the beautiful opalescent colors reflecting in my bubble.  Another thing, I like Monday's.  Monday's are a new beginning, a chance to go out into the world and experience life.  I also am so grateful that my parents taught me to have an opened mind and see the world as a colorful, diverse place where we are all created equal.

     “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” 
                                                                                                             Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

3 comments:

About Second Skies Aero said...

Excellent post! It is a small minded person who has to feel superior to another human in order to elevate themselves. So many things we can learn from others if we will let ourselves.

Laura

Anonymous said...

It's so disappointing that people still can't accept others based on their merits, and not skin color, religion, income, etc. May those neighbors (loosely defined) someday have to endure the same type of prejudice they are giving now. Then, they can see how it feels. I'm sure they would be shocked that someone would dare to judge THEM!

Unknown said...

purple, orange, black, white...I like colors and I like people...racism is so wrong and it makes me so sad.

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