Skin Deep Racism

Racism still exists, but not only from the usual sources. Racism never has been strictly black and white. There always has been that gray area where we focus on unlikely targets ... ourselves. The reality of Rodney King and Donovan Jackson, the 16-year-old who was slammed into a police car and punched in the face after being handcuffed, is a common occurrence in the black community. These events only are recognized when they happen to be caught on tape. After years of lynching and Jim Crow laws, the struggle of blacks is ceaseless. The strength of the movement comes from the support and belief of the black community. What hurts the most is when I see racism focused within a race; when we are fighting against one another for respect and courtesy. Throughout history, the black race struggled to be seen, heard and respected. However, in spite of the constant fight against white society, we are spending a great deal of time and effort fighting against each other. "She acts too white." "Her skin is too light." "He thinks he's something because he has money." "That guy with the white girl is trying to forget his race. "Unfortunately, the common suggestion to one of these "scandalous" individuals is, "You need to pick up a book and read about your heritage. Read Malcolm X and learn about who you are. "Is that really who you are, or who you are expected to be based on black culture's stereotypes? Who's to say the rich boy hasn't read Malcolm X? Who's to say a book will tell you more about who you are than living life and deciding for yourself? What's wrong with falling in love with a member of a different race? The color of our skin doesn't make us any more or less human. Does a true black person only live in an urban society surrounded only by black people? Does the place you live and the education you acquire make you any more or less black? Racism is still a reality. It is something we will be fighting against for many years to come. But tell me: How are we going to make progress in the shadows of our oppressors when we are walking in their footsteps?