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Oppression and Discrimination are World Issues
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As I saw this video, I was glad that Lebron said “it's a worldly thing.” I am glad, because I think he is absolutely right. This is not about sports. This is not about celebrities. This is certainly not about one race. This is about all of us. And yet, while I write that, I feel guilty because Eric Garner’s death should not be seen as an event that launched a movement or a moment that was lost in time… I believe his death should be viewed, first and foremost, as a sad moment for his family. Nevertheless, I do think that his death will serve as one of the key events that leads us into an era of greater harmony and equal representation in all nations. So, I wanted to write this post as a way for all of us to discuss what we saw growing up. What are your thoughts on equal representation? Do you believe that this is something that is actually improving worldwide? How is it in your country, in your community? I will start it off: I grew up in the projects of NYC. I was that scared hispanic boy that felt threatened because he was not ghetto enough. I would get mocked for my school uniform (i didn’t have a choice though…), and would routinely be bullied on the basketball court because I was “too white.” At the same time, I went to private school (on scholarship) where finding a hispanic or african american was one of the rarest things. I once had a student (my first and only time) tell me that I was lucky to be there because his parents’ tax money paid for me to go there. He went on to tell me that no matter how smart I was I would wind up his employee anyway. So, needless to say, I think I can safely say I can understand why both sides (both those from the ghetto and those from “suburban homes”) felt like they were discriminated. But what perplexed me was that while they could see how they were discriminated against, very few on either side saw they were doing the same to others. How could they not see it? I still wonder that. Anyway, that was my experience. I hope you all share your thoughts on equality and discrimination, how you grew up with it, or how you have seen it in your world. There is no opinion or experience that is too small to be important. They are all important. @jonpatrickhyde @hikaymm @orenshani7 @EightyNine
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@orenshani7 I completely agree. I am hispanic, and the moment I say that there is discrimination against white people, as well, I get branded (by fellow hispanics!) as being racist or ignorant. I am not saying that hispanics don't face discrimination (hell I get INS jokes all the time, or get yelled at for "not properly speaking English"), but it is not just us. But I sometimes feel like even my own cousins would call me a sell-out if I said anything is wrong with what hispanics do or that we are not the only ones suffering
@JonPatrickHyde I think you are absolutely right. This is actually why it makes me wonder sometimes if it is right to celebrate achievements by people bc they were the first hispanic, black man, etc etc If I ever become a person who accomplishes anything worth reading in the paper (and I seriously doubt it lol), I want to be lauded for accomplishing it, not for accomplishing it even though I am hispanic. I understand the concept of celebrating trail blazers, but is that the right way to celebrate their achievement? Would I like it if the reason someone said my accomplishment was great was because I am hispanic? Actually once I was told this by someone, and I was really offended....
Just as @orenshani said, I think it's near impossible to be able to say that I don't like discrimination without being grilled about how that is "impossible" because no matter what I do, the situation I was raised in force my hand. I will happily admit that yes, I was raised in a particular set of circumstances, which will mean that I can never 100% understand the circumstances of some others, but I don't believe that those circumstances are restricted in anyway by race: there will always be someone I can't understand fully, and me treating any one of them negatively or differently because of this should be deemed wrong, in my opinion!
@orenshani7 Thank you :) That might be one of the nicest things I have heard about my opinions on something like this lol I will actually write a post soon on affirmative action with I hope you also like... @hikaymm that post actually will lead into what you are talking about. Should people be treated differently at schools because of their race or ethnicity? How does that make others who are "privileged" races feels? How about the people whom it is supposed to be helping?