Prejudice and Racism Are Immortal

With the recent Katrina disaster, the issue of racism has once again reared its ugly head. Why? Because the disaster just happened to occur where the population was primarily black. The government has been criticized for not responding quickly enough to the disaster. And relief did seem to take some time to reach the populace. But is it really an issue of race? This is the biggest natural disaster the US has experience in quite some time. How can we blame the slow relief efforts on race when it is clearly lack of experience?

You can train people and groups in how to respond, but if they've never actually had to do it you cannot count on things going the way they are planned. Plans look great on paper, but in reality every situation cannot be covered by a plan. Not every person has the natural instinct which allows them to think quickly and clearly in an emergency. If you were to be thrown into the middle of chaos, how do you think you'd fare? It is one thing to be trained in how to organize and handle people in panic, but have you actually tried to calm a person who has just lost everything and is desperately trying to get their family to safety? Think about it. People were actually shooting AT rescuers during this disaster. Do you think rescuers were trained for that?

Racism and prejudice is an issue that I believe has gone for far too long. It is quite incredulous that black people today are still fighting for restitution of the crimes of yesteryear. Those blacks that fight for these compensations only make a false reputation for their race. There are plenty of black people who are capable, hard-working, and unprejudiced. But they are overshadowed by those who choose to shout for restitution for crimes committed against their ancestors. It is a scapegoat. An easy way out for those who want some fast cash. There is no logical reason why the government today should have to pay for the crimes of the forefathers. Times and thinking were much different back then. Times and thinking have changed. Don't dwell on the past, but live in the present. And look to the future.

We must understand that this world is made up of many, many races, cultures, ethnicities, beliefs, religions etc. etc. These differences in appearance, visions and thinking are what make us all unique. If the world was not filled with such diversity, such a dull world it would be. There is no force or rule that says any race is above any other. It is within our own individual minds that the choice is made to accept or deny the rights of others. Over and over again in the world's history there are people who prove that no one is inferior. Many with crippling disabilities have overcome such obstacles to prove they can lead a healthy and active lifestyle as well as anyone else. So why would color of the skin be any different? Why can we not overcome these visual aspects and see the fact that we are ALL human beings?

Granted, prejudices are passed on from generation to generation. Whites and blacks are equally to blame for this. If the parents cannot forgive and forget, than the children will absorb this and carry it on to their children. In order for racism to be completely wiped out we'd have to change the thinking of every human in the country and of course, this is an impossible task. So unfortunately, prejudice continues to live on within our society.

As well, there are also other factors that carry on the prejudices. Such as the fact that many of the minority races in the US originate from poorer countries where gang violence rules and crime is high. Often these ways of life are brought along into the US. As well, there are probably more minorities in poverty than there are white. The lack of opportunity for these people force them into gangs and lives of crime. Which, of course, plays badly on the overall reputation of their race. Those who are violent and cause trouble are brought into focus far more often than those who have worked hard and overcome their obstacles to form a better life for themselves, and often, their community.

I do not know how we will ever be able to help all of those in poverty. I don't think it possible to wipe it out completely. Therefore there will always be those forced into lives of crime to survive. And there will always be these violet misgivings that will overshadow those of the minority races that do give to society.

It is tragic. Do your part, and don't carry the burden of prejudice on your shoulders.


Previously Published at Blogger.com