Sunday, October 5, 2008
We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.
“It’s funny, you got the whites acting like they’re Black and Mexican; The Mexicans playing Black, And some Blacks trying to be white!” Said this kid at work crew yesterday. Earlier in the day I was laughing at the odd arrangement of kids in my crew, Black, Mexican, and White; but after hearing the kid say that, I started to really think about it.
Everyone has their own preference towards things, likes and dislikes. If they like something they are going to do/use it. Referring to the quote above, the person who said it is an example of someone with the mindset of what is and isn’t ‘normal’ for a race. When he said this I think he was talking about gangsters, and educated people. His opinion, I think, is influenced by the media. On TV whenever you see a show with gangsters, they are portrayed as Mexicans or African Americans… This has lead him to believe that all gangsters are Mexican or African American, and if a white person is involved in gang related activity it is abnormal. Stating that all Mexicans or African Americans are supposed to be gangsters, its abnormal for them to have high aspirations for decent (or high) income jobs. Bull.
The United States of America could be considered a melting pot, this conveys the image of many different cultures all blended into one English-speaking American. I learned this definition in social studies and history but now, in this age I’m finding flaws within it. There are illegal aliens crossing the Mexican-American border, which come to this country and don’t even put in any effort to learn our language. My father is deeply racist he thinks that it is wrong for anyone to come across our border*, but his influence hasn’t swayed me in having my own beliefs; I think it is wrong for them to come illegally into our country, but if they do it they should at least learn our damn language. Everyone in the United States (besides Native Americans) could be considered immigrants, because we all came from different countries to settle this country.
Now that the above has been stated, I find it surprising how many categories we as human beings are placed in (in the U.S.A.) It goes something like this: race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender. Discrimination in this country is a big issue, but I think it’s stupid. We don’t need to discriminate, if someone can speak the English language and live in America they should be considered American and should no longer be categorized or judged.
Its silly how most people have a mindset of what is acceptable or ‘normal’. Depending on their race, ethnicity, culture, language, or gender people think they’re supposed to act a certain way; and if they don’t they are considered posers of a different race, ethnicity, culture, language, or gender. Someone should not be judged because of these ‘categories’, everybody has their own identity and a part of it is dependent upon the categories, however a large portion is defined by personality, aspirations, and perseverance.
Prejudice, Racism, favoritism, ignorance, and injustice in general in the United States need to stop; It has been an ongoing conflict and reason for many quarrels throughout the years. “We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now”, this is a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. I think it basically summarizes what I’ve been trying to say. Forget our differences and lets all work together towards the same cause, Let’s make the United States a more powerful nation with our unity and acceptance of one another and our individuality.
*[located at third paragraph] He only focuses on the Mexican-American border, when Canadians cross the border to come into our Country everyday, and no fuss is made. Racism.
Everyone has their own preference towards things, likes and dislikes. If they like something they are going to do/use it. Referring to the quote above, the person who said it is an example of someone with the mindset of what is and isn’t ‘normal’ for a race. When he said this I think he was talking about gangsters, and educated people. His opinion, I think, is influenced by the media. On TV whenever you see a show with gangsters, they are portrayed as Mexicans or African Americans… This has lead him to believe that all gangsters are Mexican or African American, and if a white person is involved in gang related activity it is abnormal. Stating that all Mexicans or African Americans are supposed to be gangsters, its abnormal for them to have high aspirations for decent (or high) income jobs. Bull.
The United States of America could be considered a melting pot, this conveys the image of many different cultures all blended into one English-speaking American. I learned this definition in social studies and history but now, in this age I’m finding flaws within it. There are illegal aliens crossing the Mexican-American border, which come to this country and don’t even put in any effort to learn our language. My father is deeply racist he thinks that it is wrong for anyone to come across our border*, but his influence hasn’t swayed me in having my own beliefs; I think it is wrong for them to come illegally into our country, but if they do it they should at least learn our damn language. Everyone in the United States (besides Native Americans) could be considered immigrants, because we all came from different countries to settle this country.
Now that the above has been stated, I find it surprising how many categories we as human beings are placed in (in the U.S.A.) It goes something like this: race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender. Discrimination in this country is a big issue, but I think it’s stupid. We don’t need to discriminate, if someone can speak the English language and live in America they should be considered American and should no longer be categorized or judged.
Its silly how most people have a mindset of what is acceptable or ‘normal’. Depending on their race, ethnicity, culture, language, or gender people think they’re supposed to act a certain way; and if they don’t they are considered posers of a different race, ethnicity, culture, language, or gender. Someone should not be judged because of these ‘categories’, everybody has their own identity and a part of it is dependent upon the categories, however a large portion is defined by personality, aspirations, and perseverance.
Prejudice, Racism, favoritism, ignorance, and injustice in general in the United States need to stop; It has been an ongoing conflict and reason for many quarrels throughout the years. “We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now”, this is a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. I think it basically summarizes what I’ve been trying to say. Forget our differences and lets all work together towards the same cause, Let’s make the United States a more powerful nation with our unity and acceptance of one another and our individuality.
*[located at third paragraph] He only focuses on the Mexican-American border, when Canadians cross the border to come into our Country everyday, and no fuss is made. Racism.
Labels: African American, American, Bias, Catagories, Judgment, Prejudice, Racism, White
--Cloud Envy.
9:24 AM
1 commented
9:24 AM
1 commented
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Rumors.
You walk down the hallway, your arms hugging your binders close to your chest. A bead of sweat trickles down your neck, and your breath becomes haughty. Your eyes flicker back and forth as you walk down the hall, silently scanning the faces of all the onlookers. As people see your face and your enclosed posture they begin to gossip, their eyes scanning you just as your eyes were scanning them- but a different emotion appears in their eyes, Bloodlust. “Did you hear?”, “Are you sure?”, “That’s her.”- You hear their remarks precisely, as if they wanted you to hear them… As if they wanted you to walk up and say something to prove them wrong, or right. You bite at your lip and squint your eyes, silencing your inner rebellion. Your dignity and self respect tell you to hold your tongue, but your eyes and actions do not listen- your body language gives it away; and like a pack of wolves the onlookers pounce at ready to hear the perfect scandal.
Of course you tell them what you can, giving them the basics. They claw at you for more, the questions digging into your alibi and when you think you can’t take the interrogation anymore- you CRACK! It all pours out of you, your heart and soul, you tell them the truth as the shame wells up in your eyes and you’re forced to look away... You don’t get any pity, no comforting words. You look up and find your friends eyes among those that came because of the rumors, some look back to you in a knowing and forgiving manner- and others look away in disgust. The shamed tears run down your face and your heart breaks; but the crowd had dispersed and you feel no shame for the emotion gliding down the curves of your cheek, you feel your knees wobble and your energy and control leaves you. Swiftly you feel the ground becoming closer… And right before you feel the impact, something tugs you back; an unknown warmth pulls on your hands and steadies you on your feet. A guardian angel perhaps? Maybe I hit the ground to hard and I’m dreaming? You’d think to yourself, before you opened your eyes. And as soon as your lashes fluttered open a fresh stream would trickle from your eyes, from the amazing sight that you saw. With a smile tugging at your lips your eyes would behold, all of the friends you had seen in the crowd. Among those were the ones that you had shared a knowing glance with, as well as the ones that had seemed disgusted.
No matter the rumors, the actions, or the events, a friend should always be there for a friend. If you agree with their decisions or not you should be able to back them 100%, because if you cannot do that then how could you call yourself a friend? Only you know your friend, and only you can decide if the actions they took were the best considering their position; Do not always listen to ‘the word on the street’ because people can be misleading, as well as the information you heard could be just as fake as the person who told you it.
Of course you tell them what you can, giving them the basics. They claw at you for more, the questions digging into your alibi and when you think you can’t take the interrogation anymore- you CRACK! It all pours out of you, your heart and soul, you tell them the truth as the shame wells up in your eyes and you’re forced to look away... You don’t get any pity, no comforting words. You look up and find your friends eyes among those that came because of the rumors, some look back to you in a knowing and forgiving manner- and others look away in disgust. The shamed tears run down your face and your heart breaks; but the crowd had dispersed and you feel no shame for the emotion gliding down the curves of your cheek, you feel your knees wobble and your energy and control leaves you. Swiftly you feel the ground becoming closer… And right before you feel the impact, something tugs you back; an unknown warmth pulls on your hands and steadies you on your feet. A guardian angel perhaps? Maybe I hit the ground to hard and I’m dreaming? You’d think to yourself, before you opened your eyes. And as soon as your lashes fluttered open a fresh stream would trickle from your eyes, from the amazing sight that you saw. With a smile tugging at your lips your eyes would behold, all of the friends you had seen in the crowd. Among those were the ones that you had shared a knowing glance with, as well as the ones that had seemed disgusted.
No matter the rumors, the actions, or the events, a friend should always be there for a friend. If you agree with their decisions or not you should be able to back them 100%, because if you cannot do that then how could you call yourself a friend? Only you know your friend, and only you can decide if the actions they took were the best considering their position; Do not always listen to ‘the word on the street’ because people can be misleading, as well as the information you heard could be just as fake as the person who told you it.
Labels: Anxiety, friendship, Girl, Judgment, Rumors, Society
--Cloud Envy.
5:03 PM
3 commented
5:03 PM
3 commented