In the video titled “A Conversation About Growing up Black”, it features several young Black boys of different ages and backgrounds. They talk about how they’ve been singled out and treated differently by people around them because of their race. Some examples include a teacher telling their Black student to take off their sweatband from their wrist because “..it looks gang affiliated.” There’s a similar theme in the “Tell Me Who You Are” interview book by Winona Guo and Priya Vulchi about a Black man named Ronnie. In his interview, he tells the story about how his father was arrested for a crime that he didn’t commit but since he is Black, he was still punished for the crime. These two interviews show that due to someone being a POC, they will be judged and treated unfairly by society. I believe that in the video “A Conversation About Growing up Black”, they were marginalized because of their race. All of the boys in the video are Black and because of that, they have been treated as if they are lesser than their white peers. These boys feel as though they need to take certain precautions and take actions that non-POC would never have to think about doing. With Ronnie’s case, I think his dad was shown prejudice because he is Black. When Ronnie’s father was arrested, the reason was because he fit the description of a light-skinned male that stole a cellphone. The witness even said that the robber could have been White but his dad was still arrested and charged. I believe this happened because of the systemic racism that is built into the justice system and the stereotype that Black people are more likely to commit crime. This proves that white people have privilege over Black people and POC because our society was built to benefit white people which is not only terrible, but is a very hard thing to stop/reverse. I believe the first step to try and end racism is to begin with being anti-racist. There is a significant difference when it comes to being “not racist” and anti-racist. Being not racist basically means that someone doesn’t do or say anything racist/they don’t have prejudice against POC. This simply is not enough because if people like this turn a blind eye to racism, it will continue. We need people to be anti-racist so that they can fight against racism and educate others on how to help which eventually will end racism. For example, when a white person says that they’re not racist, that may sound good, but in reality they are wasting their privilege. When I say this I mean white people have white privilege and because of that, it’s easier for them to voice their opinion and be heard by others. This is relevant because if white people would fight against racism, more people may listen to what they’re saying and join them. It’s also relevant because it helps POC whose voices may not be heard or taken into consideration. Most people don’t know what an assimilationist or a segregationist is or what the difference is between them. They are similar in the way where they believe that POC are oppressed because they have done something wrong. The difference is that an assimilationist thinks that these minorities can change for the better to become equal whereas a segregationist believes that POC cannot change and will never be equal to white people. An example of an assimilationist is if a person believes the stereotype that Black people are lazy but believes that if they change, that they can be equal to others. A segregationist would believe the stereotype but they would think that Black people couldn’t change or ever be equal. Both views are racist and wrong and I believe it’s important that people see why. After seeing the video and reading the interview I was upset, angry and I still am. It’s extremely sad that POC are mistreated and judged all because of their skin color, something they are born with and can’t change. It makes me that much more motivated to fight against racism and educate people about it. With me being white, I have never had to experience what these people deal with everyday and some people don’t even know it’s still happening or they just turn a blind eye to it. I think it’s extremely important that people wake up and acknowledge that racism is still a thing, or else we will never be able to end it. Everyone is equal but we CANNOT say ‘all lives matter’ until Black lives and all other oppressed groups are seen as equal. Vocabulary Definitions: Marginalized: “To be on the outside of the imaginary box of the dominant culture and treated as if you are insignificant and inferior. Marginalization is the purposeful disempowerment of folx that denies access to resources and power.” Race: “A socially constructed term that divides folx up based on their skin color and physical characteristics; it is not based on scientific fact and is not grounded in genetics.” Prejudice: “Preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience”
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