This week, I read an article written by a friend of mine posted in the Daily Beacon. In this article, she talked about the reality of racial slurs being used on campus and how this issue in fact, still remains an issue. When it comes to racism, our tendency can be to think that it's a thing of the past... at least for white people. But here's the thing: black people across our country and the population of black students on our campuses are still facing racism today. If you don't agree with that statement, then you are part of the problem.

This article in the beacon addressed the fact that two black students were called a racial slur from a passing car. Here. On our campus. As a white female, when I read this I was disgusted that someone (most likely of my own skin color) chose to use racially demeaning terms towards someone they didn't even know, right here on my campus.

Now, this is not a "white people are the absolute worst" race-bashing article. But from my own perspective, seeing my friends who are black address these issues that they are facing in this day and age makes me so ashamed and furious. A lot of people do not realize that racism is still a problem. And if they do, they sweep it under the rug hoping someone else will deal with the issue.

To all the people who believe it is OK to degrade an entire group of people: you need to revaluate your life. If you can't see that skin color has absolutely nothing to do with the worth or value of a person, then maybe you are too unreasonable to even step foot on a college campus.

Racism is a cancer. When our atmosphere is infected and these ideas and they start to multiply, it destroys every living and good thing remaining. If you choose to identify people with racial slurs, then you are infected and I can only hope you come to realize your wrongs before you continue to infect our society. If you chose to believe you are better than other people because of the way you look, you are infected. If you sit back in your white privilege and say "well, that's not my problem," you are infected.

Racism is still alive and well today. Just because our schools are no longer segregated and we have an African-American president, does not mean that someone waved their magic wand as racism has disappeared from our society. A lot of people would like to think this, because it means no effort need be made. It means we can sit back and let things remain the way they are without pursuing change to make our world a better place.

Be the change in your community. If you hear someone make a racist statement, take a stand. Make people uncomfortable if that's what it takes. Advocate for equality and live it out. Look at other people as people, not a skin tone, a stereotype, or a racial slur. Use your brain. No one is wired with racism in their hearts. People can have it engrained into their brains from years and years of cultural persuasion, but racism is not natural. If you believe you are superior to someone due to the color of your skin, I weep for you. You are so confused, and so wrong.

I just hope that we can be the generation that changes the way race is viewed in our country and across the world. I hope that we can be the generation that sets a good example for the generations that follow. I hope that we can put an end to the racism still interlaced within the fabric of our society.