(Some images may be offensive.)

Racism is defined in the English Dictionary as follows: prejudice, discrimination or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior. In our society, racism has become an unfortunate reality, one that most often leads to violence and unnecessary death. It has led to the formation of militant groups around the country as well as the birth of dangerous riots.

A story was brought to my attention recently that I knew had to be brought up. A mailbox is something that most American families have in their yard. My family has a mailbox that I enjoy walking out to everyday to retrieve the mail that lies inside. Another family owns a mailbox in front of their home, but the only difference lies in what was laid underneath their mailbox this past week.

This airplane was left anonymously underneath their mailbox. The family is a practicing Jewish family. Could you imagine waking up and walking out to your mailbox to see this terrible piece of paper? People always say that they want to end racism, but is it really possible in our society? When there are people threatening the lives of families in this way, how can an end be in sight?

In order for racism to end, we must all accept one simple fact: we are all equal. Whether we are black or white, Jewish or agnostic, we are all human beings. There is no superior race. Racism will end when we no longer see color or religion and we see people. As the great civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said:

“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood…I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”