In a class discussion, we came to a concensus that although race shouldn't matter, it does, and probably always will. Now, the question is "is it good or bad?" From an African American's perspective, it's bad. It's bad that that I have to approach white women with cation and ease, in fear that they will over-react due to their conception that I will rape or rob them, or the thought that I couldn't befriend my Indian-American neighbor's son because of his parents' illusion that I would be a bad influence on him; all because of my beautiful, brown skin. I am not ashamed of my race for I am my people, and I too possess that "proud to be black" attitude that is taught in most black households; but ashamed, I am, of the ruthless and degrading actions of my kind that has brought this bad name to us. Our race is commonly referred to as "black people"; just as the color, or lack thereof, it is associated with negative stereotypes. Negative stereotypes create biased impressions, thus hindering us from advancement in society. Must we continue to live out the stereotypes that make us look ignorant and hell-filled? NO. Let us live above people's expectations of us and leave the stereotypes in the past; but until then we will live in the shadows of our actions and the circle will continue.
“Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned, everywhere is war and until there are no longer first-class and second-class citizens of any nation, until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes. And until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race, there is war. And until that day, the dream of lasting peace, world citizenship, rule of international morality, will remain but a fleeting illusion to be pursued, but never attained... now everywhere is war.”
-Haile Selassie I
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