With the recent election, many things arose that our children will more than likely read about in history books and hopefully raise their eyebrows. Similar to poetry, we all interpreted the message differently. I won’t tell you my direct opinions of the election (saved that for another article). I will say that this election confirmed that Americans cannot handle democracy. The United States has confirmed my belief that their education system is a joke. If you realize that the majority of the United States population receive their news from social media…and do not have the initiative to search for credible news sources, you can understand why we are in an idiocracy moment of history. However, I refuse to believe that the early settlers in the United States were any smarter. Especially since they were incapable of entertaining the complexities of humanity.

I’ve written about racial sensitivity being an important factor to consider in our daily interactions. Post- election results made me feel like my efforts were in vain. Part of me wanted to believe that all of the things we have said in America the past 8 years to encourage inclusivity, were unraveled overnight. I know it’s more complex than that and these issues have been evident from the birth of the “New America”. Rather than the cast of Hamilton apologize to Mike Pence, we should be getting that apology from our future elected president. Unfortunately, that is less likely than the Mariners making it past post season. I urge you remember that you are still the amazing human being that you believed you were prior to all these hateful groups trying to get into your psyche to self-sabotage.

Guess what white America, minorities weren’t just whining.

Let me go on a tangent: consider yourself lucky that you never went on a date and had the other person ask you what ethnicity you are and then once you answer, receive the response of “Oh, well then I only hate part of you.” This is real life, people like this exist, and we need you to tell them they are insane.

The issue I, along with many others, face today is that is continual subjection to derogatory terms through micro aggression. As much as I wanted to believe that we had turned a corner in race relations, the recent traction of the white supremacy groups, communicate anything other than commencement of peace. The unfortunate reality is that these incidents will increase in volume toward me and my loved ones who do not look “white”.

Having attended college in the southern part of America, I am well aware that these small minded individuals exist. I minored in religious studies to better understand why conflict existed between cultures, based on beliefs. My conclusion is: everyone thinks they are right, and their approach to fanaticism is driven by the mirage of protecting what they believe at any cost. My experience in the great state of Alabama, was enough to make me transfer schools, because of the racial slurs that are somehow “supported” by the Bible. I am not trying to tell anyone what to believe, but some critical thinking would help us all. If you honestly tell me it’s your “job” to rebuke others lifestyles…where are you when the issue of oppression arises? Where is your rebuke of small-minded hateful individuals, rather than focusing on the small “sins” that make YOU uncomfortable. I believe the Bible says something like, "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?”

What you can do:

Call your elected officials of the local government that you live in. We were raised to think that apathy is cool and the rioters and protesters were evil or deranged because they fought the system that was shoved down our throats. Stop believing we don’t have a voice.

Please, don’t post Facebook messages openly asking your minority friends to explain their horrific experience to culture yourself and your white privilege. Just because you “listen”, doesn’t mean you deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. Don’t seek to educate yourself through the exploitation of your friend’s lived experience. What I’ve found interesting, is Facebook posts acting communicating their interpretation of racial prejudice as a new thing. Big tip here, read any United States history book…and while you’re there, research who Trump is aligning in office.

I strongly urge my white friends, please stand up for what is right. I’ve been guest to multiple conversations that begin with the guilt statements of how much you love minorities but if you stay dormant, I start to believe otherwise. Be aware that you do not know everything and just because you cannot relate to another’s struggle, does not mean it isn’t real. Also, do not respond with, “*Gasp (hand over heart) that must have been so hard.” No one needs your pity, they want your action in stopping this from happening. Listening might make you feel educated, enlightened, maybe shed a few self-righteous tears, but it amounts to nothing. If you are white, and all you are doing is gasping when your minority friends share their frustration or experience, you are part of the problem.

Please support your friends. This is a somber time and many are dealing with issues that you probably can’t relate to, but to quote the synopsis of a Martin Niemoller Poem, you don’t need to be directly correlated to an oppressed group to stand in the gap. You can be a white person who fights against these hateful groups. Don’t let fear keep you from being a compassionate human. If you are scared to join in the fight for the plight of systemic racism because you are not the same race as those protesting, then you might need to ask yourself if you’re giving into racial stereotypes. Stand up please, we all need each other right now.