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.
