The United States of America is a land full of racism and discrimination. The blatant hatred for people of color and racial minorities is absolutely disgusting, and we need to make a change.
The United States has a messy past with racism including slavery, segregation, mass genocide of Native Americans, Japanese internment camps and overall discrimination. It appears the streak is not coming to an end any time soon.
In the Declaration of Independence, it is written, “…all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
It clearly states “all men,” so why are only some people given this opportunity? What I am about to say may upset you, but before you turn away, I want you to take the time to evaluate and understand why you feel that way. Denouncing racism should not make you upset; in fact, it should do the opposite. This article isn’t about hate, it’s about love.
Many claim they are not racist and that they just want people to follow the law. They add that they would feel the same way if the immigrants were from European countries. But I want you to think a little bit harder. Is it about the law? Or is it more than that?
Do you feel that they are stealing from you? A reminder that in 2022, illegal immigrants paid $96.7 billion in taxes, with more than a third of that going toward federal welfare programs that they are ineligible for.
Do you feel that way because the immigrants look different than you, talk different than you, live different than you? Do you feel disrupted by their differences? Do you feel that because they were not born here, they should be forcefully removed from their homes and the life they have built here? You shouldn’t.
Someone speaking a different language should not upset you. Someone having skin that doesn’t match yours shouldn’t upset you. Someone having a different lifestyle shouldn’t make you mad.
I worked at a job in high school where the majority of customers spoke Spanish. I don’t speak Spanish, but it was never a problem. We were always able to complete transactions and have friendly interactions. I never felt superior to them for speaking English; you shouldn’t either.
When Bad Bunny was announced as the 60th Super Bowl halftime show performer, there was outrage. People were upset, claiming that he wasn’t an American citizen and that his singing in Spanish wasn’t American enough. It was even met with an “All-American Halftime Show” put on by conservative political group Turning Point USA.
Nothing else could be more American than a halftime show about diversity, perseverance and inclusion. The United States is supposed to be the melting pot of the world. It does not belong to the white and wealthy Christian community; it belongs to everyone who lives here. Bad Bunny’s halftime show ended with words displayed reading: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
His show was met with hate. Hate for him, for his music and for those of Latin descent in the United States. The hypocrisy of being upset by an American citizen performing this year, but not by others who were not citizens in previous years, is pure racism.
I did not stand every day, pledging allegiance to my country’s flag, saying “with liberty and justice for all,” just to have it not be true. For citizens of my country to say “with Liberty and Justice for all…except them,” I will not have it. It is time to make a change.
The first thing you can do to make a change is vote. Vote for officials who do not use degrading language when speaking about minorities in the country. Vote for officials who want to help citizens and immigrants work together to succeed.
In addition, hold the leaders you voted for accountable. If the law matters to you as much as you say it does, call out leaders when they are convicted of crimes. Hold them accountable when there is evidence of them committing crimes.
Reach out to your local and federal leaders. Tell them how you feel, and ask them to make changes. Do not stay silent; let them know what you want them to do.
Talk to your friends and peers. Call them out if they say something racist and hold them accountable. Educate those around you. If you are not condemning racism, you are condoning it.
And last, evaluate your morals, beliefs and biases. If you find something in your thought process that is racist, change the way you think. It is OK to change your mind, it is OK to learn new things and think differently.
I encourage you to choose love. I encourage you to create a country that gives everyone liberty and justice, regardless of race. Choose to remove hate and build a nation that you are proud of.
