While the media may portray a specific minority population as being inferior, it is essential to remember that we are all one population and one race: human. We all deserve the right to be proud of who we are and what we stand for. We, as a human race, should be proud. We should be proud to be Christian, proud to be Muslim, proud to be gay, proud to be straight, proud to be agnostic, proud to be African-American. No one should have to live in fear of being themselves, and no one should be able to take a part of your identity away from you.
Instead of focusing on our differences, we should focus on the things that bring us together. We should focus on love, on community and on acceptance. We should focus on building a future where children do not have to hide who they love from their parents, where no one has to fear being mistreated due to the color of their skin, where families do not have to fear worshiping, where people do not have to fear going to the movie theatre or to a bar and where police officers do not have to fear going to work. The best way to combat hatred is with love and acceptance. Since we live in a country where many fear what they do not know, it is important to start talking about our differences and similarities. It is time to make sure that all people are portrayed with equality and equity in the media, that we learn to love our neighbors of a different religion or skintone and that children grow up learning that we are all one population sharing this Earth and the resources on it.
America used to be the "land of the free and the home of the brave." In order to keep our country the land of the free and the home of the brave, we have to remember the foundation our country was built upon. The founding fathers of America and American heroes, including Martin Luther King Jr., fought for our country to be a place of equality and equity. They were bravely fighting so that we could be free – free to seek education, free to love who we want to love, free to worship and practice any religion that we chose and free to pursue a life of happiness.
Most importantly, we have to be brave. We have to bravely be an ally for not only our fellow Americans, but for the entire human race. We have to be an ally for those who cannot speak, for those who have not been born, for those who have fought for our freedom, for those who protect us and for those who are different from us. We have to remember that we are one population and one species. We have to bravely raise our voices when things are not right and stand alongside one another and say "I support you." It is time to become an ally for those who need us most.
According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, an ally can be defined as an individual who supports another person or a specific population of individuals. Since the word "ally" is often overused, I am going to share some advice on how you can become an ally for a specific person or a specific group of people:
Being an ally involves making sure that your actions are just as loud as your words. Being an ally means being an advocate, being a supporter, making a difference and being there for others. Being an ally means supporting one person or an entire population of individuals. Being an ally means reaching out to someone who is going through a hard time and saying that you will stand by them. Being an ally means petitioning for what is right, raising your voice, and standing alongside others. Being an ally is one of the best ways that you can make a difference in the life of another person or in the lives of a specific population.
You can be an ally by listening, by being available to talk, by being accepting and by being inclusive. Confronting your own prejudices and biases, even if it is uncomfortable to do so, also helps you become a better ally. The fear of those who are different and the fear of the unknown are natural and innate feelings of the shared human experience, but confronting your own prejudices and becoming an ally will allow you realize that we truly are all one species and one race. Defending your friends against discrimination is another great way to be an ally.
While becoming an ally may be a difficult experience, as you have to explore and overcome your own personal biases and prejudices, the essence of being an ally is simple: just be there. Be a friend, be a listener and be an advocate. Remember that all people, regardless of their religion, race or sexual identity, deserve respect and dignity.