Hello, all my readers! As usual its been awhile since I’ve last written. I believe its probably been two weeks or a little over, I think. Well either way sorry about the wait. I try to write as often as possible but my professors do love to dish out the work. Anyway on to the topic about this post. Tomorrow evening Bill Yoast will visit my college to speak. If you don’t know, Bill Yoast is the coach portrayed in the film “Remember the Titans” which is based on true events.
“Remember the Titans” tells the story of two football coaches and their racially diverse football team. A white coach (Bill Yoast) and a black coach (Herman Boone) come at odds when Herman replaces Bill as the head coach and adds new recruits to the team. Previously the team had been only white, but under Herman’s leadership black students were allowed to play on the team as well. There is obvious racial tension through out the movie, but this tension fades as the players ( and the coaches) gain respect for one another and eventually form friendships.
When I saw the poster about Mr. Yoast’s visit it made me think of a conversation me and my best friend had during our summer vacation. My best friend is white and I’m black. In today’s world a lot of people would think that this fact doesn’t make a difference, but actually it does. We always disagree about the effects of race in the modern world. I believe that race and racism is still an issue. People are still discriminated against and hated because of the color of their skin. I believe that there are still people out there who will treat a person differently depending on their skin color. Now my friend is the complete opposite. She doesn’t think racism exists anymore (or at least isn’t an issue like it use to be which I can agree with to a certain extent).
We constantly argue about race and beauty, race and opportunities, race and work. Growing up in the black community I witnessed the favoritism men would show to women of a lighter complexion. Now I’m not saying all guys are like that, I’m just telling you all what I witnessed. Most of my black female friends would agree with me when I discuss this topic. I think it really stems back from slavery. The lighter skin slaves were house slaves, a step above the darker skin field slaves so of course through out the generations the darker slaves came to believe that lighter (or whiter) was better. That’s why we have skin lightening creams and perms to straighten black hair. True it can curl straight hair, but that’s not why black people buy it.
Thankfully in today’s world people of color have the opportunity to go to school and choose a career. There are even special minority scholarships offered to aid in just that purpose, but despite all this I can’t believe that certain opportunities may not be offered to individuals based on their race. I just refuse because I honsetly think racism will always exist. I hope it will one day eventually fade away, but that is not what I think. There’s an obvious difference between thinking and hoping.
The point I’m trying to make is that racism still does exist and still can effect an individual. And let it be noted that when I say racism I don’t mean just whites against blacks. I mean all forms of racism because all forms of racism are wrong. Perhaps one day my friend and I will learn to agree to disagree on the extent and reach of today’s racism. Maybe we never will, but that doesn’t matter because my best friend will always be just that no matter her color. Until next time!
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