Cheesy Last Blog

I think the saddest part about racism is people not being confident in their skin or feeling inferior. While researching racial bias in children, I came across an article by the CNN. The news reporter sat down with kids and asked them questions about the paper doll test.  The paper doll test is a paper with a picture of five identical dolls, each only differing in skin colors. The dolls range from very light to very dark.

When the reporter asked “What skin color do you want?” a black little boy pointed right to the lightest doll. Another black little girl chose the second lightest saying that “…I just don’t like the way brown looks cause the way brown looks, looks really nasty for some reason.” Similar responses were given by other children. 

These poor kids have grown up thinking that their skin color is undesirable, and would rather be white. It is each of our jobs to actively teach children, peers, and even grown ups that racism is not okay and can be resisted. Going along with that, I also think it is so sad that people are even afraid to be a certain race, or wear certain garments in our country these days. I don’t know how to get rid of racism, and I cannot solve all of our problems. But I can be accepting to everyone I meet, treat everyone equal, and be a good example. Our country needs love and acceptance right now, and I think that that is the best way that we can all make a difference.   

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/05/13/doll.study/

#MannequinChallenge

If you have been on Instagram or Twitter lately, you have probably come across the Mannequin Challenge a time or two. If you have been avoiding social media lately (I do not blame you), the Mannequin Challenge is the newest internet trend in which people stand completely still in poses while a video is recorded.

Most of the Mannequin Challenges I have seen have been all fun and games – usually dancers frozen during class or a sports team frozen during practice. 

However, I came across a much more serious video today. This challenge was done by filmmakers Simon Shepherd, Kevalena Everett, and Todd Anthony to raise awareness of police brutality. The short video re-enacts the tragic scenes of many popular police shootings and other racial issues including Philando Castille, Sandra Bland, Alton Sterling, Trayvon Martin, and Colin Kaepernick. There is also police scanner audio playing in the background.

The video is honestly hard to watch, as it shows many individuals being mistreated and put in horrible situations. It is very effective at helping the audience picture these situations and the need for change. I think a video like this is a great way to peacefully protest police brutality. The video caused no harm, but has already received a lot of publicity in less than a week (it has been viewed over 700,000 times on Facebook as of November 10, 2016). This is how social media should be used. The filmmakers used their platform to make a statement, rather than put others down. 

Here is a link to the video, which speaks for itself.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/mannequin-challenge-takes-racism-frozen-frames-n682236

Racism in Ballet

Picture a ballerina.

What does she look like?

Most of us, if not all, probably pictured a tall, slender, toned, fair-skinned, graceful ballerina in a pink tutu. Why do we automatically picture a white ballerina?

There are many excuses made for why blacks are not ballerina material. They tend to be curvier, flat-footed, too muscular, too this, or too that. Even though a curvy, flat-footed, muscular young woman would not be the best body type for a ballerina, not all blacks fit that category. Likewise, not all white young girls are the “perfect” body type for ballet either.

Julie Gant said that this kind of stereotyping is “literally saying black people have a gene so they are unable to do ballet. It’s like saying Asians can’t drive. You basically have to redefine human if you’re going to say certain nationalities can only do certain things.”

I think that the ballet industry loves to hold on to certain traditions, and uses blacks’ stereotypical body type as an excuse to be racist. Ballet companies do everything they can to make each ballerina dance exactly the same. They have daily, long rehearsals perfecting every move so that the ballerinas will leap, turn, and glissade completely in sync. The ballerinas wear the exact same outfits, have the same makeup and hair, and you guessed it – they even have the same skin color.

Skin color should not have anything to do with being given a chance to dance in a ballet. With dedication and practice, any race has the potential to be a beautiful ballerina. Misty Copland has proved that African Americans should not be overlooked in the ballet industry. Copeland did not even start ballet training until age 13, but she was accepted into the American Ballet Theater four years later. She is also the first African-American ballerina lead role in Swan Lake. Not only is she amazing to watch, but she continues to inspire other young dancers to not give up. She has worked so hard to get to where she is today, and I hope the world of ballet will one day become more diverse thanks to inspiring dancers like her.

This short video should be enough proof for anyone that all races can do ballet. https://youtu.be/IxJHjcRGdCQ

Article that the quote was found: https://glimmerglass.olivet.edu/2015/03/05/black-girls-cant-dance-ballet-body-type-or-stereotype/

Why Do People Live in Poverty?

Not too long ago, I would see people living in poverty who resort to selling drugs and wonder why on earth would they not try to get their life together. “Why don’t they get a job?” “Why are they selling drugs, they’re just going to end up in jail?” I wondered why people would choose to live in poverty. I thought that with determination and persistence, everyone could get some sort of job, save money, and work their way up. Unfortunately, the world does not work that way.

In the real world, a large percentage of blacks will be born into poverty, targeted by the criminal justice system, and sent to jail just like their relatives. No one gets to choose what class, race, or part of the world they are born into. I was born into a white family, and although my family is not upper class, I have had so many opportunities that I cannot take credit for. I was born into a culture where I was able to grow up going to school, and am continuing my education at college – something that a lot of us take for granted.

It is so hard to imagine exactly what it would be like to be a part of a minority race for a white person. A white individual living in America lives in a world that is designed for him/her. I am not proud to say it, but it is the truth. Michelle Alexander talks a lot about this in her book, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness.

Alexander describes how blacks make up a large majority of the criminal justice system. They are less likely than whites to commit drug related crimes, however they are way more likely to be imprisoned. How is that? Because America has continuously established a racial caste system that ensures that blacks be kept inferior to whites. Alexander explains very well how the system works, and how mass incarceration is equivalent to slavery and Jim Crow. What a lot of people (my younger self included) do not realize is that discrimination is still legal. Even though it is illegal to discriminate based on race, it is legal to discriminate anyone with a felon. This might not seem unreasonable at first. However, because so many blacks have felons, they are subject to discrimination. After prison, it is pretty much impossible for them to move up in the world, because they are denied housing, cannot get a job, and will forever be branded as criminals.

Our stereotype of blacks being criminals has been intentionally created by whites. It is not the result of blacks engaging in more criminal activity, rather it is the result of whites targeting more blacks, imprisoning them, labeling them as criminals, and denying them any opportunities to be successful. It is tempting to think that blacks choose to be criminals, but often they do not.

People living in rough living conditions have to make a choice on how to survive, and often times the answer is selling drugs. I am sure no one wants to resort to that, but you have to make money somehow. Instead of first putting our time and money into police efforts and criminal justice, I agree with Alexander that it would be very beneficial to help the poor find a job and support them, so that no one has to rely on drugs to help them survive.

Black Abortions

I am constantly blown away by different ways blacks suffer in America. This past week I came across more staggering statistics; this time about black abortions.

According to Right to Life of Michigan...

• Abortion has taken more black American lives than any other cause of death combined since 1973.

• The abortion rate of blacks is nearly 4 times higher than that of whites.

• An average of 870 black babies are aborted daily in the U.S.

• The ratio of abortions/live births for American white women is 127/1,000. The ratio for black women is 435/1,000.

Accoding to Texas Right to Life, more black babies are aborted than born in some regions.

Once again, blacks are not given equal opportunities - and in these cases, the babies are not even given a chance to live.

By killing a baby, that is a person's way of saying that the babies life does not matter, that they should not be treated fairly, and that they are worthless. Sound familiar? These babies are in many ways facing the same kind of discrimination that blacks face in society today.

Because abortions take so many black lives, it is often referred to as Black Genocide. According to BlackGenocide.org, the largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, was actually created by a racist hoping to essentially get rid of as many African Americans as possible.

I am in no way trying to point fingers at blacks, because I know it is a problem among all races. It is just so sad to me that anyone would kill a precious baby. Black lives matter - even soon-to-be-born lives.

Here's a video addressing the problem, if interested.
youtu.be/q31wKamAbZo

Islamophobia

Although Muslims are not a race, Muslims deal with stereotyping much like racism. Just like people associate Asians with being smart, or African Americans as being good at sports, it is common for Muslims to be thought of as villains. Western countries tend to be prejudice toward Muslims because of the negative connotations they have acquired because of terrorist attacks. Only a small percentage of Muslims have caused harm or intended to cause harm, but Westerners still associate events like 9/11 with all Muslims.

This fear of Muslims is referred to as Islamophobia. This phobia does not only include a fear of Muslims, but sometimes even prejudice and hostility. Many Muslims do not feel accepted by Westerners. In fact, 52% of Americans agree that the West does not respect Muslims. A report by the Center for American Progress found that misinformation accounts for a lot of Islamophobia in America. The promotion of this phobia creates prejudice against Muslims. When one hears a horror story that involves a Muslim, they associate that fear with all Muslims. 

It is not right to treat others less just because another completely unrelated Muslim threatened America at some point in time. Besides, there are plenty of dangerous Americans who create more harm than Muslims do. Even though there are many criminals in America, we do not assume that all Americans are bad. This mentality should be applied with Muslims (and any race or group) as well. 

My mom hired a Muslim student worker a couple of years ago. She was one of my mom’s favorite student workers. She was very nice, responsible, and an all-around good person. I remember my mom telling me about how her student worker had to deal with stereotypes and prejudice. Even though she had done nothing wrong, people treated her differently because of her beliefs. The stereotypes caused her to be scared in many situations because so many people despise Muslims.

 I tried to imagine what it would be like to be that student. I cannot imagine how offensive it must be that there is a phobia that references the fear of those who belong to her religion. To walk around campus and receive dirty looks all the time, to know that when people hear “Muslim” they hear “9/11” or other terrorist attacks, and to be labeled as someone who does not deserve a fair chance would be so difficult.

The Muslims who are violent are not violent because they are Muslim. Nor are they an accurate representation of the entire Islamic religion. Therefore, try not to let the small percentage of violent Muslims make you believe a false stereotype.

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Black Lives Matter

In my last blog I discussed some pressing issues going on in America right now, including ‘Black Lives Matter’ and police brutality. I mentioned that I agreed that black lives matter, but so do all lives. I think I was missing the point of what ‘Black Lives Matter’ is all about. An article I read this past week by John Halstead, The Real Reason White People Say ‘All Lives Matter,’ put things into perspective for me. He makes many great points on why whites should not have a problem with people saying ‘Black Lives Matter.’

1. Blacks saying their lives matter in no way suggests white lives do not.

2. ‘All Lives Matter’ draws attention away from the real problem, and instead focuses on whites.

3.  It is not really necessary to clarify that all lives matter, because whites aren’t undergoing discrimination. On the other hand, blacks face discrimination frequently, which is why BLM is necessary.

A lot of times whites may think racism does not affect themselves. It does, however, and Halstead also offers great suggestions on what we can do.

1. Accept the fact that it is impossible to be colorblind, as hard as we may try.

2. Immerse yourself in Black communities to become more comfortable with Blacks. Learn from them.

3. Say “Black lives matter,” rather than “All lives matter.”

4. Be a part of the Second Civil Rights Movement. This will probably be uncomfortable, but it is necessary to step out of your comfort zone in order to make a difference. 

It is disrespectful to undermine the struggles blacks go through daily. By saying ‘Black Lives Matter’ we can offer our support.

I encourage you all to read the article, which explains this topic way better than I ever could.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-halstead/dear-fellow-white-people-_b_11109842.html

Protesters or Terrorists?

Black lives matter. However, so do white lives. Every life matters, and skin color has nothing to do with our worth. With all of the Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter news going on, I find it pretty ironic how protesters are fighting in rebellion of police shootings, by doing exactly what they are protesting against – killing more people.

Do I think that it is okay for a white police to kill an unarmed black man for no reason?

No way.

In the same way, I do not think it is okay for a black police to kill an unarmed white man for no reason. Nor is it okay for a white police to kill an unarmed white man for no reason, or a black police to kill an unarmed black man for no reason. All of those situations are upsetting, and I understand that family/friends/loved ones get mad when hearing of an unfair incident like those mentioned. What I do not understand is why people respond with violence.

In Matt Walsh’s article “No, they’re not ‘protesters.’ They’re terrorists,” Walsh points out that the definition of terrorists is “people who use destruction and violence against the innocent to bring about a “social change.” Protesters in Charlotte (or any city that this violent protesting has taken place in) have been doing exactly that. Whether you want to call protesters “protesters” or “terrorists,” that is not my concern. I am simply pointing out that protesting has caused so much hurt and damage, it does not seem to be helping anyone. I can no longer even tell what protesters are trying to accomplish. I used to think that protesters wanted peace, but it is hypocritical to kill so many innocent people while claiming to be fighting for peace. I do not know about you, but I know I would be much more willing to hear these angry people out if they acted in a more respectful manner. 

Besides, whatever happened to our childhood principles of "Violence is not the answer" and "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?"

Here is the link to the mentioned article, if interested.

http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/no-theyre-not-protesters-theyre-terrorists/

Keeping an Open Mind

I am not really a fan of singing competitions on television, but I do think that The Voice is a great idea. The Voice hosts blind auditions, which consist of singers performing in front of an audience and a panel of judges. What makes The Voice special is the panel of judges that face the audience, not the performer. This guarantees that the judges judge only based on voice quality, not appearance. 

What does this have to do with race? Everything! If only we could live our lives like the judges on The Voice (in regards to not judging, not in everything else they do, of course). Unfortunately, when meeting someone for the first time, skin color immediately causes us to stereotype that person, usually unconsciously. It’s kind of like how when someone says, “don’t think about cake,” one automatically thinks of cake. When looking at a black person, one subconsciously notices that they’re black. This doesn’t make one a bad person. However, this becomes an issue when one judges a person solely because their skin is black or white.

Often television engraves lies or bad ideas into our minds, but I think everyone can learn a lesson from The Voice. If we went about our lives fully accepting everyone, no matter where they’re from, we would benefit immensely. It’s sad to think about how many friendships have been missed out on, how many qualified employees didn’t get the job, or how many fights broke out, all because of the same barrier. A barrier that should not change anything.

Keep an open mind the next time you meet an individual who looks different than you. He/she may not be an amazing singer who belongs on The Voice, but it is worth it to get to know people of different races.    

Eye Opener

This weekend I attended a trip to St. Louis with Student Christian Fellowship. One of our activities for the weekend included serving a church in St. Louis. The church is located in the middle of a neighborhood, and serves the surrounding people. My group helped pull weeds and fix up the church’s garden. At the end of our work time, we took a prayer walk around the block. The owner of the church informed us about particular families in need and the heartbreaking stories of what has been going on in the area. The neighborhood we were in was a lot different than what I am used to. It’s the kind of neighborhood that I would never want to walk through by myself. It’s the kind that you tend to be more aware of what’s going on around you, looking back and forth to make sure no questionable activity is going on.

Throughout the morning, many cars sped by, and we saw some neighbors out and about. Everyone we saw was black. I am not an active racist. However, I am not going to lie and say that I was completely comfortable in that particular neighborhood. Mostly, because of the stories of killings, drug activity, and crime that we heard about during our prayer walk. My point, therefore, is not about how black people are all criminals. In fact, many of the neighbors we saw were friendly and waved to us as we worked. My point is how heartbreaking it is that anyone lives in such dangerous neighborhoods - and that this neighborhood in particular was largely occupied by people of color. I know that this type of activity and living situation is not just an issue for black people. From my experience, however, it does seem more common among blacks. This experience was a reminder of the white privilege that I undeservingly possess.

My experience this weekend opened my eyes to all of the opportunities that I have and take for granted. Growing up I never worried about walking by myself through my neighborhood, or leaving my car unlocked by my house, or having neighbors that dealt drugs. I definitely never heard gunshots or people fighting. My house always had air in the summer and heat in the winter. The refrigerator and kitchen cabinets were stocked with food, and I had clothes that fit me for every season. I had a supportive family who helped me with homework after school and encouraged me to do my best. I often forget that all of those blessings aren’t available for everyone. I would encourage everyone to take an opportunity to serve those in need, not only to help those who desperately need it, but to help oneself realize the importance of not taking anything for granted. 

Progress

I feel like discussing racism can get depressing. After dealing with racism for so long, America still has not found a solution. Therefore, I think focusing on some positivity, for once, would be refreshing. 

While humanity still has plenty to work through, we’ve made significant progress. We can delight in the fact that our schools are no longer segregated, interracial relationships are accepted by most, Americans of all races have the right to vote, and a college education is available for people of color. On my way to classes, I often see groups of all different racial backgrounds walking together. I have professors of different races, many friends who do not share the same skin color as me, and when I turn on the TV, more and more shows feature actors of all races. Speakers, authors, professors, and politicians are raising awareness of racism and helping the public understand that everyone is equal and deserves equal opportunities.

I’m not blind. I know that even though schools aren’t segregated, even though we’ve elected our first black president, and even though many people claim to not be racist, racism is still prevalent. You don’t have to watch the news for long to be reminded of the ongoing problem. Although we do not have it all figured out, I believe we are making progress. 

New Responsibilities

Over the past couple of days, I have begun to realize how many responsibilities I now have. As a college freshman, I've been a little overwhelmed. Moving out of my parents' house seemed like it would be all fun and games. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the college life. However, I am suddenly aware of how much my parents did for me. Without my mom and dad always being there for me in the next room, I am responsible for making sure I am up on time and am ready for my classes and activities for the day, checking my email more than Instagram to keep up with my professors and advisers, putting in a work order form for a leaking air conditioner, buying textbooks, going to the post office to send back the wrong textbook, and dealing with laundry that piles up much faster than I imagined. I figured that after a week of being here at UE, the surprises would start to die down.

I was wrong.

In Beverly Danial Tatum's article, "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" I was struck with yet another responsibility. Tatum claims that all white people are racist. Us white people have a social advantage, and because of that, it is our responsibility to be an active anti-racist.

Before reading Tatum's article I was definitely aware of the ongoing racism issue. For some reason, however, it seemed like an impersonal problem. In my tiny hometown, I did not think racism affected me that much. I now understand that is not the case. The fact that my skin is white automatically makes me a part of the racism system. My advantages are not based on anything I did to deserve them, but strictly because of my skin color.

Because this responsibility is fairly new to me, it will take time to get used to it. Kind of like doing my own laundry.