As you may know, last week, Ball State celebrated "Unity Week," centered on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and created to raise diversity awareness and acceptance, etc.
The best thing I read all week was a quote from some guy in this very paper. On MLK Day, he said he planned to rejoice because he didn't have classes.
The rest of us probably pointed our fingers and called him insensitive, narrow-minded, racist, whatever. Pick your adjective. It's certainly optimistic to assume everyone celebrated MLK Day with a mind open to "difference," but most of us didn't.
Of course, I'm not eliminating myself from guilt. Humans are naturally selfish people, and in particular, I am egocentric and simply too busy to crusade for any causes other than the immediate demands of each day. Most of us are. So, we ask, "What can I do to reduce any of the 'isms' plaguing our country? Do any of them even affect me?"
Since I have the luxury of being heterosexual, white and male, I can confidently answer, "no." Rarely will anyone discriminate against my race, gender or orientation. But, these particular circumstances do not automatically lead to a comfortable, suburban, middle-class joy ride. I'll find the appropriate means, though, and so can you.
Ted Nugent once said, "I don't think being a minority makes you noble or victimized." He's right. We have to believe that we succeed or suffer on an individual, personal level. My strife is not yours, and your glory is not mine. How can the color of our skin decidedly determine our character traits, history, motivation or affliction?
Maybe I am na+â-»ve, but aren't we all struggling against the same things? Perhaps our individual definitions differ, but we all want to succeed. We all fight periodic episodes of anxiety, depression and worry. We all want to have a secure, well-paying job and a loving family. We all want to grow old and have grandchildren, and we all want to die with a clear conscience. Don't we? Isn't the pursuit of happiness universal?
Observation: The possible solutions we (I) have developed are always vague and intangible. What can we apply to invoke change? Would any of it make a difference?
It's very easy to take a pessimistic view because I'm good at it, but I have no idea what to do otherwise. Suggestions are welcome.
Though, I did think of this: What if everyone in the entire world went on a weekend seminar to a reasonably equipped banquet hall with the purpose of ending racism? We could listen to a few lectures and watch crude PowerPoint presentations explaining the importance of racial harmony. We'd all leave Sunday with new ideas and a pro-diversity stance, slapping each other on the back and sharing high-fives.
But how long would that last? Most importantly, what can we teach our children? What can they teach their children?
We all want to think everything is better. Maybe our generation is the first to exhibit and exist in an integrated culture. But, it's not enough. It doesn't take a genius to realize our continued, obvious racial division.
But, if a bigot is made, not born, then certainly, we have a fighting chance.
Write to Allyn at aswest@bsu.edu
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