Who Are You?

As a white male I recognize the importance it is to have an identity as a human being. Malcolm X is a man I highly admire, and he discussed how black people were forced over here from Africa. He acknowledged that black people in America were Africans trapped in America who were never given rights as a human being. In this video he questions who are you? He says that black peoples last names are not Jones or Smith because that was their slavemaster's last name. He brings to light the struggles that black people had to endure to the point that they do not know where they came from. I believe that the more we understand each other then the more open society can be about things that people are uncomfortable to discuss. People become uncomfortable to talk about race, politics, or any personal matters with people they do not know well. If we can understand different cultures, environments, and the mind of each person then I believe we can realize our identity as human beings.

Many white people do not even know the name Malcolm X. This is just one of many barriers that separates people. Many white people do not seek to understand a non-white culture; they feel too comfortable with their own people. Sadly, my recognition towards the struggles and knowledge of the black community is higher than most white people. This is why I advocate for affirmative action because we need a balanced field in the workplace and in society. People do not know enough about each other and we must be more diverse. The reason affirmative action must be implemented is to help fight racism and not leave people behind. We do not have an equal society and until we reach that point then we need to have things such as affirmative action.

I want to raise the bar for white people to acknowledge the non-white communities. Being around people you hang with everyday will not expand the dimension of your mind to understand people. It is important for the U.S. to not be colorblind because it means that they are blind towards people of color. Small towns and cities are on the opposite sides of life that creates a miscommunication amongst each other. When you are around more people then you get a larger impression about society in which you live. I ask to understand people from all walks of life where you understand the thought in rural and city America. We must identify each other as human beings in a society that will work for all of us regardless where we come from and to help heal any negativity which may exist between one another.