This essay points out a lot of difficulties that a black american teenagers goes through and most african americans for that matter. Everyday and moment they are judged and watched for everything they do. Being on the complete opposite end of the spectrum this was an eye opening read. The most profound, obvious quote written was, "[my mother] raised me to never ever forget I was on parole, which means no black hoodies in wrong neighborhoods, no jogging at night, hands in plain sight at all times in public, no intimate relationships with white women, never driving over the speed limit or doing those rolling stops at stop signs, always speaking the king's English in the presence of white folks, never being outperformed in school or in public by white students." It's all true, despite what white people, Caucasians (whatever pc title you want to give us) try to convince our selves or prove, we will never experience this kind of discrimination and distrust. We'll never be profiled based on our skin. We will always be the aggressors who blame them. Hundreds of years of hatred was breed into our upbringing. And only in the last century have we actually started to deny that and make slight attempts to change it. This article proves that even today humanity is still not in a fair place with equality, civil rights, and/or justice. It's disheartening to know that people have to behave a certain way all the time in public, because a select group of people has instilled so much fear and hate that they can't be themselves.
It's really sad that he had to be raised that way and feel like he has to live life always in the view that people see him as a criminal. I do think though, despite the obvious amounts of discrimination across the country, we are making great strides and will continue this. This was a really eye opening read though to exactly what it is someone has to go through everyday just because of past relations and current day racism. I also like how you used "hundreds of years of hatred bred into our upbringing" because really, who else acts in such a way to instill such fear? Animals.
ReplyDeleteI can also relate with you by saying I am on the opposite end of the spectrum, and couldn't personally relate to this article. But I do believe it is an eye opener, and gives us a glimpse (professionally) into another world. The fact that this article was one Gawker's most publicized article speaks volumes in that it served it's purpose, to inform.
ReplyDeleteBeing that this was such a difficult, yet, powerful read I am glad you inserted that quote into your blog post. You are right that it sticks out as the most profound piece of the essay. So profound that I could not quote it in my blog because I can't even begin to elaborate on the pain and many emotions that surface within me. I'm so glad you mentioned how "hate was breed" into history because that is the origin of it all.
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