2008 Woodie Awards
Racism Stirs Emotions
Desirée Dismore
Issue date: 11/3/05 Section: Opinion
When the topic is racism, it tends to stir up emotions.
People get angry and speak of the injustices and the horrors that lay behind it.
I have been to quite a few seminars, conferences and forums on ways UC can address this issue, yet I have never heard a facilitator nor participant speak of the biggest injustice that lies with UC, as well as the rest of America: mental slavery.
For those who feel they are disrespected or underappreciated, have you taken the time to look within? Do you give off a sense of self-respect? Do you practice what you preach? Do you treat others the same way you would like to be treated?
I sit in the cafeteria and hear people yell racial slurs. In fact, I utter slurs as well.
The other day I heard a white person say "nigga" and I had to catch myself. Many times, we become appalled at other groups for using words we use to describe ourselves, but what is worse: ignorance or knowing better and not willing to do better?
Self-initiative is the key to fixing racial and cultural issues, but only if it means that much to us.
During a series of racial/cultural events I have been to, people show interest while sitting in groups, but once we are dismissed, it is back to our normal lives.
We have trapped ourselves with a "sometimes" mind set. We care when we feel like it and we care when it is convenient. We make an issue when someone has established a platform instead of making our own platforms.
Is race a major concern for college students?
Are there racial tensions that need to be urgently addressed?
Does the problem lie within certain student's views or is the problem within the lifestyles of all students?
Before we fix our lips to complain about racial issues or any other issues, we should take some time to think about the importance of the issue. Are we just "snitching" about what is going on or are we actually trying to fix the problem?
In college, what we get from classes is only half of what our experience is supposed to be.
College is a time for us to focus, grow and mature. It is a time to start over and work towards making something of ourselves.
It is our job to find a passion and bring it to life. We have a responsibility to get involved and make a difference where we see fit.
College is also a time to re-evaluate our worldviews and our self-image. It is urgent that we become aware of what we stand for and work to maintain consistency.
In the word of Bob Marley, "emancipate yourself from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds."
People get angry and speak of the injustices and the horrors that lay behind it.
I have been to quite a few seminars, conferences and forums on ways UC can address this issue, yet I have never heard a facilitator nor participant speak of the biggest injustice that lies with UC, as well as the rest of America: mental slavery.
For those who feel they are disrespected or underappreciated, have you taken the time to look within? Do you give off a sense of self-respect? Do you practice what you preach? Do you treat others the same way you would like to be treated?
I sit in the cafeteria and hear people yell racial slurs. In fact, I utter slurs as well.
The other day I heard a white person say "nigga" and I had to catch myself. Many times, we become appalled at other groups for using words we use to describe ourselves, but what is worse: ignorance or knowing better and not willing to do better?
Self-initiative is the key to fixing racial and cultural issues, but only if it means that much to us.
During a series of racial/cultural events I have been to, people show interest while sitting in groups, but once we are dismissed, it is back to our normal lives.
We have trapped ourselves with a "sometimes" mind set. We care when we feel like it and we care when it is convenient. We make an issue when someone has established a platform instead of making our own platforms.
Is race a major concern for college students?
Are there racial tensions that need to be urgently addressed?
Does the problem lie within certain student's views or is the problem within the lifestyles of all students?
Before we fix our lips to complain about racial issues or any other issues, we should take some time to think about the importance of the issue. Are we just "snitching" about what is going on or are we actually trying to fix the problem?
In college, what we get from classes is only half of what our experience is supposed to be.
College is a time for us to focus, grow and mature. It is a time to start over and work towards making something of ourselves.
It is our job to find a passion and bring it to life. We have a responsibility to get involved and make a difference where we see fit.
College is also a time to re-evaluate our worldviews and our self-image. It is urgent that we become aware of what we stand for and work to maintain consistency.
In the word of Bob Marley, "emancipate yourself from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds."