By Michael DashSpecial to CSMS MagazineThe article, Surrounding Ourselves with Differences,written by Leny Mendoza Strobel invoked a deep examination of what it means to be white in my mind. I agree with Strobel that the issue of race is often seen as a social problem that is perpetuated by society and not the problem of the individual. As Strobel expounds the racial divide that exists in our American society, we must agree that this has been living in our mists since the time of colonization. It is important to investigate the issue of ethnicity in order to appreciate the history of ones’ own identity. This reality into our heritage can help us understand where we have been, and hopefully, how we can change the world to a more accepting view of difference. The worlds’ cultures have been brought closer together because of technology, travel and economic need. All humans have two things in common, we share a planet that sustains our ability to live, and we belong to the human race. Therefore, respect and acceptance of difference must be taught to future generations so the racial divide will lessen. Personally, the question of what it means to be white is not a simple subject to examine because it brings to heart an uncomfortable conflict of previous learning from my parents, grandparents and the local society in which I live, now. Early on, I remember despising the words and connotations used by elders during my youth to describe people that were different from my ancestry. I promised myself that when I had a child, I would teach acceptance and respect of all people regardless of difference. In this thinking, I was hoping that I could help change the bigamist view that was part of my culture. What I didn’t realize was that although I may try to infuse acceptance into my child, our society as a whole wasn’t buying into the same idea. To be White was to own some type of higher preference over others and was to be convinced that, somehow, you were better than everyone else. It is hard to imagine that in the 21st century, prejudices can still be found anywhere in America. If you are White, you possess a higher intelligence over others that allow you to be dominant. If you are White you go to better schools and live higher up on the economic pyramid. To be White, you are always right, and in control of important decisions that affect everyone even those people outside of your race. When one looks back in history and sees the reason the English Puritans left England, it would make you wonder why they would be so prejudice against the American Indians already living in America. Did they not leave their safe homes in England because of oppression and the need for religious freedom? Yet these people, new to this land, had this undying need to change the Indians and their way of worshiping. These Puritans wanted to make things “better” for the Indians by teaching them the right God to worship. This idea of being white-right is what Strobel commented on when she was talking about the missionary projects of the church she attended. The white people could not accept the Indians for being different and worshiping their own gods; they wanted to make them believe in what they perceived to be Right. This type of religious domination was not a new idea brought during colonial times, it has been documented in history from the beginning of time.I note the simplistic statement mentioned in Strobel’s article about the inert process of human nature to dominate the weak. Strobel alluded that this statement made by her students was a cop-out, but I hold this principle to be truth because in nature, the strong survive and the weak do not. I think that if it were not the white race showing dominance, then some other race would have stepped up to the plate for a chance. I do not believe that I am opting out of the responsibility for the oppression the dominant race has shown, but rather I suggest that some race of humans will always dominate our world. To take another look at prejudicial dominance, one must look at our own country. The American government from my perspective is very oppressive with the belief that our way is the only way; and this ideal has caused many wars. I truly love this country I live in and the freedom it affords me; but I think America gets caught up in trying to run other countries the way America thinks they should be. This is oppression with a global twist, and not just homeland defense.Capitalism and materialist views of America will not change in my lifetime. At least, I don’t think so. I blame these attitudes held by our society to be an enormous part of the problem of why all people cannot live in peace. If we were to live in a perfect world, then all people would be free from racism, dominance, and oppression. We have only hope that future generations will take heed of history’s mistakes. If our children would be taught to live the golden rules, learn to love and treat others, as they want to be treated, the world would be a much better place for all races. The responsibility we each should take is to demonstrate each day in our lives the tolerance and respect every human being deserves, so our children will learn the model for this rule.Note: Michael Dash is a young entrepreneur living in Melbourne, Florida. He wrote this peace exclusively for CSMS Magazine.See also: Dominant Culture: https://csmsmagazine.org/news.php?pg=20060829I239
Why the Surrounding Ourselves with Differences is so important for our children?
