2008 Woodie Awards
Would Martin Luther King really be happy with us?
Jevonya Hughes
Section: Opinion
If graves could talk, I wonder what they would say. If the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were living today, would he be pleased with the accomplishments that we as a human race have made, or would he cringe at the very sight of us? Has his dream really come true, or is it merely a mirage of things not likely to occur? And what about Harriet Tubman, Carter G. Woodson, Malcolm X, Sojourner Truth, Mary Mcleod-Bethune, Frederick Douglas, and the many others that fought for the same freedoms that many of us take for granite. Did they all fight in vain?
For over 80 years now African American History has been celebrated in the United States. What first began as Negro History Week has now expanded to what we no know as Black History Month. As a human race this nation has come a long way. We have achieved great feats, and declared victory in many struggles, but have we gained any mileage? Have we as a nation accomplished what those before us could not?
Looking back from 40 years ago to now; there is little change in our environment. The surface may show that blacks and whites can go to school together, work side by side, worship in the same building if so desired, enjoy dinner in the same restaurant, and can even date each other, but the underlining factor remains the same: Racism still and very much will be a part of our everyday environment.
Racism is everywhere. In sports, where even the language used to describe athletes reveals bias and where dress codes seem to target young African Americans, On television and radio, where shows congregate to prejudices and fill the airwaves with bigotry, in Hollywood, when an award is given, or an accomplishment has come to pass. It must always be stated that this person was "The first African American," etc, and in politics, where the main factor in the Democratic debate is not the issue more so than it is the fact the one of the candidates is African American. Racism is invasive, persuasive, and permeating our society, and wherever you go, there it is.
For over 80 years now African American History has been celebrated in the United States. What first began as Negro History Week has now expanded to what we no know as Black History Month. As a human race this nation has come a long way. We have achieved great feats, and declared victory in many struggles, but have we gained any mileage? Have we as a nation accomplished what those before us could not?
Looking back from 40 years ago to now; there is little change in our environment. The surface may show that blacks and whites can go to school together, work side by side, worship in the same building if so desired, enjoy dinner in the same restaurant, and can even date each other, but the underlining factor remains the same: Racism still and very much will be a part of our everyday environment.
Racism is everywhere. In sports, where even the language used to describe athletes reveals bias and where dress codes seem to target young African Americans, On television and radio, where shows congregate to prejudices and fill the airwaves with bigotry, in Hollywood, when an award is given, or an accomplishment has come to pass. It must always be stated that this person was "The first African American," etc, and in politics, where the main factor in the Democratic debate is not the issue more so than it is the fact the one of the candidates is African American. Racism is invasive, persuasive, and permeating our society, and wherever you go, there it is.
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