Being a 20-year-old, white, female college student, part of me fears writing this article. Though I am undoubtedly privileged by my race, I am made to seem inaccurate because of my age and my gender. But, my biggest concern in writing this article is my ignorance.
Admittedly, I do not know and have not experienced the same struggles as my minority counterparts. I have never faced life as an ethnic or LGBTQ citizen. But, as a millennial in today's divided society, I am here to give my opinion on how ridiculous we are behaving as Americans.n
I was born to two wonderful parents who were able to provide for me in a way that was more than generous. Are all children born into the monetary comfort and emotional support I was given? No.
But, if you are born a race that our society views as superior, you already have a leg up. That's the sad reality. It is important we understand that children born to parents of minority cultures, do not have that immediate privilege we do. If you do not know that struggle, do not assume we are equal. We are ALL born as equals, but, we are not all treated as equals.
Despite growing up more comfortable than most, I luckily did not grow up blind. My parents sent me to both private and public schools – where I was able to see people from all walks of life. I saw those who were overprivileged. I witnessed those who never knew what it was like to have three meals a day.
Daily, I saw people of all races, different gender identities, of different sexual orientation, and varying monetary standing. I am so grateful to have experienced that. I was taught to respect each of them, to treat them as I would expect them to treat me. I was taught to understand that my story and their stories are different but they are all very valid.
I was taught that there was no such thing as too many friends. No such thing as too much kindness. No such thing as hate. Learning to understand people different from me, has connected me to them. Though I am not the target, racism I witness towards others breaks my heart.
Though I might not be an immigrant in America, I feel their same outrage with the repeal of DACA. Watching LGBTQ citizens constantly fighting for the same basic rights that we are granted, angers me. Seeing my own minority friends (friends I hold so dearly) face unfair adversity, is what makes me want to write this article. I hope these words can help a change in at least one person.
To me, if you are not a part of the solution, you're a part of the problem. I can not be silent over an issue that demands to be talked about.
In my life, I can say I know racists. I know hateful people that don't even realize how awful they are behaving. Well... I take that back. Maybe they are not awful, but really, just unaware.
In my heart, I believe people to be mostly good. I am hopeful that even the biggest bigot would have the heart to help a person in need, despite their differences. I encourage you to not avoid these people and certainly do not hate these people.
As MLK Jr. said, "Hate can not drive out hate." When you are faced with their ignorant (and probably hurtful) words, try to teach them. Use your tolerance and kindness to move their heart. Be the change you want to see in the world.
I look around today and all I hear is arguing. Our own president, the leader of the free world, is spending his time arguing. And what are we arguing about? What it means to be American. We are arguing about patriotism. Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?? That we are spending our time fighting with each other about something that is so personal, and so different, to every American?
What patriotism means to a veteran may mean something completely different to the country's highest-paid CEO. What patriotism may mean to a white male, may be different to an ethnic woman. What patriotism may mean to an LGBTQ+ citizen may mean something different to a heterosexual person.
We can not continue to spend our time arguing over something that can not be defined by a universal definition.
Instead of arguing over who is right, we should be respecting each person's backgrounds and understanding that all of our stories are different. Being an American means you live in a country that allows you the respect and understanding every human deserves.
Let us learn from example, great patriots like MLK Jr., Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, John F. Kennedy, Susan B. Anthony, are just a few who fought for what it really meant to be a true American. They displayed great courage and strength in a fight to make sure that all people were treated equally.
No matter your race, your gender, your sexual orientation, religion or any other factor- you deserve to be respected, understood, and given the chance to live the life that so many white people get to live.
The Declaration of Independence itself states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." How can we still be denying people these privileges 241 years later?
I think Ellen DeGeneres said it best, "Today I want to talk about everything that is right with America," she begins as patriotic music plays and an American flag waves behind her, "I don't think that we have to make America great again, I think it already is."
"America is the land of the free. Free refills, free samples," she jokes.
"We boldly go where no one has gone before. Not only did we put a man on the moon, but we put sleeves on a blanket! Americans invented the car, the plane, the iPhone,"
"In America, you can be whoever you want, you can love whoever you want, and thanks to Obama, you can marry whoever you want," she continues as her audience cheers and she claps her hands.
A chant breaks out, "U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!"
Those powerful words, from a gay woman who learned the hard way that your differences aren't always accepted, make her a patriot.
Anyone is who kind to others, lends a helping hand, chooses to respect our differences and has the courage to stand up against those who do not, is a patriot in my book. I know in my heart, without a shadow of a doubt, that is most of us. That is my definition of patriotism.
Do not let the few who decide to spew hate allow us to forget how great we can be. Let us not argue about what it means to be an American, but to know that not everyone lives as Americans the same way. We are different and that is what makes us great. Let our differences unite us, not divide us.
In a country built on people from all over the world, from all walks of life, with all different dreams, we should know that united we stand... divided we fall.
I hope my words, just words in a sea of so many words from so many others, can affect you. Even if you disagree, I hope you try to understand. I hope this article ignites something in you and gives you some courage to be kind today.
You may be different from your neighbor, but love them because of it.
