Class of 2018 Through The Lens of Racial Injustice | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Class of 2018 Through The Lens of Racial Injustice

Its horrifying to think what we've actually lived through

81
Class of 2018 Through The Lens of Racial Injustice
https://az616578.vo.msecnd.net/files/2017/11/13/636461905514936988-1352682909_maxresdefault.jpg

Recently I attended the Ignatian Family Teach In For Justice. It is a three day conference in Washington D.C. that focuses around social justice. I was fortunate enough to attend my sophomore year which inspired me to really pay more attention to what was going on around me. Part of it was a reality check on what my privilege actually meant. Then I went my junior year, which was only a few short days after the election. The country was in shock but we carried on, knowing that especially considering the results of the election we would have to fight even harder for social justice. I went into this trip realizing it could very well be the last time I can attend, but I was excited. This year's issues focused on racism in the criminal justice system and immigration reform. This article will focus on the keynote speaker who resonated most with me: Fr. Massingale. He gave a talk entitled "The Magis and Justice"

After his introduction, he asked to major questions: What is the challenge of this cultural moment for Jesuit high schools and colleges and universities and What can or ought to be the Ignatian contribution for racial justice that our society needs given our mission and our values?


So how do we do that? We look at the signs of the times and ground ourselves in whats really going on.

We did this by looking through the lens of the class of 2018 and our experiences.


Here is a run down:

In August 2014 when college was just starting for us, There was the shooting of Michael Brown Jr. in Ferguson. This caused a huge series of protests.

Our sophomore year will be remembered in conjunction with Charleston South Carolina and the shooting at a black church. Following this sparked the ongoing debate of Confederate flags and Confederate monuments.

Our junior year: the 2016 election. Even along the campaign trail, the leading GOP candidate constantly berated, slandered, and spewed hate about everyone who was not a white rich male.

Our senior year is not even halfway over and already we have been witness to Charlottesville and white supremacists. We thought events like this were something to learn about in history books, not on our TV screens.


What is even more shocking, Fr. Massingale cited a survey of millennials on whether or not white supremacist groups (like the ones of Charlottesville) were equivalent to the group Black Lives Matter. When broken down by race, millenials of color said they were two distinct types of groups, but white millenials found them to be equivalent.

That was horrifying to me. My generation who is supposed to be so diverse and accepting and open-minded is no different than the generations we critique and claim we aren't.

This brief glimpse at the class of 2018's experience reveals that when we preach the rhetoric that we are different, our society is different, we live in a post-racial society--we are lying to everyone. This instances have been the antithesis of a post-racial society. It is undeniable that our society is not accepting but rather ignorant.

When such events happen in rapid succession like they have, we become numb to the true horrors of the actions. We are now too removed to realize that these tragedies we see from across the television screen affect our society.


We need to take up action. Real action driven by a constant need for racial justice not merely crisis motivated engagement.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

130369
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

29872
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

27550
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments