Up until my teenage years, I spent the majority of my time with my parents. As an only child, this is something typical amongst us. Our parents are not only our providers, but our idols. We look up to them, in so many ways.
We observe them in every setting and scenario. Whether we directly acknowledge this or not, we learn an extensive amount from simply observing our parents.
From a very young age, your parents begin filling your mind. Your pure, clean, mind is transformed and molded by your parents. Their theories, ideas, opinions, beliefs, are the basis for the most early thinking processes in your life.
Whether this is a positive or negative experience is completely subjective. We all come from different households. However, what is not subjective is the claim that racism is learned in the home. This is a fact and supported through years of research. I was one of the lucky ones, brought up on the very idea that:
"There is good and bad of every kind. Just because someone is white, does not mean they are good. Just because someone is black, does not mean they are bad."
These words, this belief, this idea. Of all the things my parents instilled in me, I think this has significantly shaped me over the years.
Although my parents first introduced this concept to me in regards to race, it is completely applicable to every walk of life. So, when the Immigration Ban was released to the public, my heart dropped to my stomach.
There are good and bad people within every skin color, religion, sexual orientation, and the list goes on.
I cringed thinking about logging onto my social media, but I did it anyway. And what I saw was not surprising.
To claim all Muslims are terrorists, is just as destructive as claiming all blacks are criminals. Completely illogical. A complete setback to our generation.
I truly pity the people who have not been lucky enough to experience the beauty in variation. I have always been encouraged to befriend anyone who is kind, regardless of their appearance or ethnic origin.
Racism and prejudiced beliefs are learned within the home. You are taught hate, discrimination, and segregation. Your pure, untouched mind slowly transforms into a complex circle of bigotry and ignorance. These beliefs are learned within the home, guided by our very own guardians and their preconceived notions.
As Alvin Ailey once said, "One of the worst things about racism is what it does to young people."
Remember this quote. Remember this quote through all of your social interactions. Being full of racism or prejudice will do nothing but fuel more evil in this world. Just because someone belongs to the same church or is within the same skin pigmentation, does not make them a good person.
What makes someone a good person is subjective. Like our households, we are taught what to value.
I share these values with you, in hopes of sharing the beliefs that were so beautifully passed down to me.
The world is full of good and bad people. Choose to be a person who identifies the good, regardless of an affiliation.
