As time goes on, we like to say that we, as a nation, are moving towards a more equal society. This concept applies to race relations, gender, sexuality, and every other controversial topic we can get our hands on. We seem to think that with each new day comes a new chance to stand on a stage with bright lights and claim victory that us Americans are better than everyone else for being such forward thinkers. But, alas, we have faults. It seems as though with each step forward we take two steps back.
In Claudia Rankine's Citizen: An American Lyric, Rankine emphasizes the racial problems she has faced throughout her lifetime as an American. While talking about stop-and-frisk, she writes, "And you are not the guy and still you fit the description because there is only one guy who is always the guy fitting the description" (105). We tend to do this as a nation, and let's face it, as a world. We constantly try to reprimand others for being so racist or sexist or any other kind of "ist" that goes against our morals as humans, yet we continue to make assumptions based on physical appearance. Why, you might ask?
It is far easier to blame others for our problems than to accept responsibility ourselves. After reading Rankine's writing, I was shown a glimpse into the discrimination that minorities face everyday in our country. While I love America and think that we do have the intention to be fair and equal, I think that we tend to tell ourselves that we are more progressive than we really are. Who wants to hear that we're failing as a country?No one. But it's about time we opened our ears to those who are so often silenced.
Jackie, I completely agree with you! As the nation has turned from macroaggressions (like public lynching) to microaggressions (like stop-and-frisk), it's become easier for non-Black America to brush it all off and act as if we are oh-so-progressive. It's definitely time for us start listening to those who are being silenced!
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