"We're either going to hang together or hang separately,
but guess what kids? We're gonna hang."
-Paul Moony
This is the quote of the decade in my opinion. That's because it's true. With the results of this past election, there is literally NO TELLING what will happen in the next few weeks. Or how about the next four years?
The reason this ties into race is, well, because Race is an integral part of this country's history, economy and society. It's on every application, every census report, everyone's background check, RACE is how this country identifies its people. Whether for the best or the worst that’s how it is.
However, now is the time we have honest discussions. I won’t be the happy go lucky person that says “Let’s all stop seeing color.” Just because you say you “Don’t see color” does not mean color does not see you. Morgan Freeman really got me heated when inferring that all it takes to end racism is “Well, you just stop calling me a black man and I’ll stop calling you a white man.”
A passive approach to this situation is never going to work. We need to have an honest conversation about race. Here is are 10 reasons why.
1.) We need to get some things off our chest.
There are a lot of pent up feelings and a lot of questions that need to be asked on both sides. Coming from police brutality and lack of support from those who object to the existence of the “Black lives matter movement” to those who don't fully understand Black, Native American, or Latino frustration in the United States of America.
2.) We need to not only see black and white but yellow, red, and orange too.
There are so many other races and ethnicities that are going through struggles that we all need to share a concern for as well. We have to speak and act accordingly showing all races respect and giving them a chance to voice concerns. We should support them as much as we want/need/deserve support as well.
3.) We could use the time to heal.
There are so many loose ends that were left by the for fathers of this country that affect a majority of minorities in America to this day. As a large group of people, we need to have an honest look at this country and realize that the ramifications of things like slavery and the trail of tears have left people in the U.S. in impoverished situations and in dangerous cycles that threaten the livelihood of entire communities by no fault of their own.
4.) We can learn.
I have found that in my time of having honest straightforward conversations about race to my white male friends, I now understand where they are getting their information from, and I have had the opportunity to correct them on many things, or at least make them way more self-aware in ways that they never were before.
5.) Hate crimes are on the rise and they are being incited by groups of people, (including your up and coming president).
We need to talk about these violent acts and figure out ways to all agree to diffuse the situation where violence might show up and instead talk things out. That is, if these people are reasonable if not, we need to discuss who is accountable for said hate crimes and why this needs to stop and that no matter what race you are if you see something SAY something. Standing by and watching does not stop this at all.
6.) We have social media and much less than smart people sharing their ignorance and spreading terror.
We have to speak on race in ways that are healthy and inviting for everyone and not just one sided and not to offend. It’s a tough conversation but it can be done with compassion and respect and not attacks on people. We have to dispel any propaganda and stereotypical nonsense thrown at us through all sources of media. Whether it's a million dollar T.V. station or a person with a keyboard.
7.) We are all soon to be at the mercy of a government which won't have all our best interests at heart, to say the least.
If we are going to stand as one people, we need to act like that and work out our racial differences. We can start by having honest conversations about race and then and ONLY then can we really fight for our rights as ONE.
