Color Isn’t Everything
Racism is said to be defined as the hatred of one person by another or the belief that another person is less than human because of skin color, language, customs, and place of birth or any factor that supposedly reveals the basic nature of that person. Racism is an evil civilian that can destroy a society. America is a nation of immigrants, with a diverse population where racism and prejudice have a place. Everyone came here based from somewhere of the same origin. Isn’t our country based off the phrase "all men are created equal?"
When I attended Union Grove Middle School, back in 2006, it was one of the worst experiences I dealt with, with white people. The town I came from is a small, country town in Tennessee, and it was pretty much easy sailing, as far as racism. It was an even number of blacks and whites. There white people weren’t a threat and I never heard as many racist comments, as I have at Union Grove. There didn’t seem to be color problem, we didn’t see it as oh he is white or she is black, let’s talk down upon her. Everyone was extremely friendly and open to a different race. As I walked into a strange and unfamiliar building, people seemed to know their way around the building except for me. I felt lost and unwanted, like I was in another universe. Starting 6th grade my life was just starting to change for the better. I was hoping for the best. My school was about 80% white at that time, which is about 280 students. At that point in my life, I never had seen such a large white population at one school. It seemed like I was going to be the odd person in school, which I was. I thought I would never have to deal with racism during my time like they did back in the days, but boy was I wrong. After going to this school for three years I made white friends, and was put in the category "white girl" by blacks, which is something that cam natural. I didn’t just try to fit in nor did I become friends with just whites. I talked to anyone of my interest, who is nice and doesn’t judge based on color but I have also dealt with a lot of racism during my 8th grade year than my entire lifetime. I didn’t like how everyone was treated unequally, even when it came down to getting grades, service, and other such things, as if we are still back in the 1800’s with segregated schools.
As for personal real life experience, I have encountered several, not just at school, but stores, restaurants, vacations, and even in my own family. One beautiful Saturday morning it seemed to be a wonderful normal ole day until I felt threaten by the store manager. We haven’t even been in Hollister, at Lenox for 5 minutes and he was watching my friends and me as if we were going to rob him of his own store. I felt as if he was only doing this because we are black, the store is dark, and he’s probably wondering what are these black teenagers doing here, they don’t have any money? So instead of confronting us about how he felt, he decided to watch us while we looked. As we were walking towards the door, he then had the audacity to stop us, asking question as if he hasn’t been watching us for the past hour. The way I dealt with this problem was not to buy anything, and to tell him I was not here to steal, just looking like every person in here. Before I was able to drive and go places by myself, I have dealt with numerous of occasions, just like the one above with my mom and she has taught me to do the right thing. It’s not being disrespectful nor acting out of rage, it is simply informing someone of something you don’t feel is fair. Don’t we, as Americans, blacks, whites, Asians, Indians, and Mexicans have a freedom of speech, according to the 1st amendment? I felt like being in this situation several times; have hurt me even more and more because I don’t think it’s fair how people can judge you based off your skin color, something that is far out of our control. God made us the way he wanted us to be, if he wanted everyone in the world to be black or white, he would have surely down it this way. We are a nation of a great diversity, why waste time looking down upon each other because we may not look the same, or dress a certain way, or act the same, or come from the same family? When do we draw the line or do we just simply sit by and just let this keep progressing?
Having to deal with both situations and a lot more have made me a better person today. I think if anyone has been through what I have been through; it will also place them in a better place. People of any race or such should not be so cruel and quick to judge someone. Even though you may not like someone because of their race, comments are not needed. I now understand that racism will always live with us. It’s something that people fight for everyday, but it will never come to a cease. Racism is simply something that has been running out of control in our country throughout history and will continue to get worse. In society today, people look for an easy way out of problems. Most of the time, they can just blame their problems on other people or other races. When people behave in this prejudiced way, they just make themselves seem ignorant. I think that if people could see beyond ethnic origin, racism wouldn’t be as severe as it is today!