Lately, it seems like everything is deemed racist, or reverse racist, or somehow offensive to a minority group. Is racism a thing? Absolutely, without a doubt, no question. Does the way our society view race need to change? The same answer applies. However, talking about the issue the way that many media outlets do isn't helping. We need to stop focusing so much on race and how something affects race issues, and start focusing on individuals.
"Five Black Artists You Should Be Watching"
"What the World Would Look Like Without Black People"
"#Oscarssowhite"
These are titles of articles and media content that have circulated recently.
Are there black artists we should be watching? Yes. Would the world be different, and less advanced, without black people? Yes. Were the Oscars exclusive of African Americans and other minority groups? Yes.
But talking about these things in this way, and singling out all other people in the process, does no good. If we act as if the world would go to shambles without black people, we are wrong. Every race has something to contribute. Just because a person is black doesn't mean they aren't talented. And just because a person is white doesn't mean they don't deserve recognition. It shouldn't matter the skin color of your favorite musical artist, so long as you aren't discriminating against others for theirs. When we stop pointing out the racial differences in people and decide instead to treat all races the same, in both positives and negatives, race will no longer have such a grand impact.
Why does it matter if the person who invented the railroad system was African American? What should matter is that he did it and improved the world in doing so. We shouldn't make the Oscars, a night about recognizing talent, a place to single out black actors and actresses. We should question, but simultaneously respect, those actors of other races who are being recognized for their achievements, regardless of their skin color. There will always be people who want to use race as a discriminating factor; we know this from history. But when we stop using race as a way of identifying and classifying, we break boundaries and recognize people as individuals. People should be recognized for their merit and self-worth, not put on a list simply because they fit a racial category.
