Watching the inauguration of Barack Obama today inspired me to write a little about some of my recent thoughts regarding this historical event. I don't care what your political ideologies are, we as a nation can and should come together and be proud of what took place today. But honestly, if you, like me, don't find it as easy coming or natural to think much of the event at first (without getting caught up in the media spotlights)...than I think it's okay, as long as you START at that point, but not end there.
I, unfortunately, like many other Americans in my generation who don't easily relate/identify with a common background/history of African Americans, not out of evil intent, but just out of possible ignorance or just being human and naturally seeing things from a narrow point of view (the one we can relate closest to being similar in ours because we are not all-knowing), should be confronted with not staying content to continue in this cloud of ignorance. Believe me, I am not one to say that I stand above others who struggle with any kinds of prejudices or discrimination of people who are different than I, but this is something that I want to struggle to grow more and more OUT of, rather then struggle to rationalize being able to remain in this state of mind.
I think that most people, if they are completely honest with themselves do hold some sort of prejudices. This shouldn't be so hard to state. It's the starting point in growing out of it. And I'm excited to start growing out of it more and more. I think the biggest problem isn't the fact that prejudices and discrimination exists, but that so many are okay with it and therefore perpetuate it. In whatever race/socio-economic class that exists, each have this "social norm" of certain prejudices/discrimination. It's all pooled together and the pushing force in perpetuating it is apathetic ignorance. What do we do to at least get out of this apathy that lingers regarding so much ignorance? I think the first is to realize it's NOT okay!
After declaring that we do not want to be okay with this ignorance, then what? What about just educating yourself? It's hard (but not impossible) to remain ignorant when you get more in touch with people from different backgrounds and not just educate yourself on statistical data or textbook kind of knowledge, but to try and understand other people's STORIES of their own lives they've lived. Get behind the textbook data and into people's lives -from THEIR own perspective, not a historian or third party author, though it's probably a good start I think. Well, I'm kinda just talking to myself out loud on this post...I should really take my own advice...
Last week my husband and I watched "The Great Debaters" with Denzel Washington and it really opened my eyes to a my own ignorance. Even though I've grown up "knowing" from school textbooks, about the oppression and injustices the African Americans endured and still do in many aspects, this movie, for some reason really hit me. It helped me to realize the great progress and significance of now having a black President. I was rather torn at the Poll back in November regarding the presidential candidates, but I am now in a position of feeling hope and more openness to our new President. I think it's time and I'm looking forward with anticipation, like millions of others to see how he will arise to the occasion. I am not worried, but more hopeful. I am celebrating this day in history because I have taken baby steps in educating myself and realizing what this day means, for Blacks and everyone else.
