In this country, how can we resolve the issue of
racism? In simple terms: we cannot eliminate it. Why? Racism, prejudice, and
bigotry will always be the darkness looming below the surface of humanity.
Just in the past month, one cop shooting a black man
is one too many. As a preschool teacher who is also a bus monitor, I was
floored back to reality when a child spoke of cops killing people (on the bus).
Why would you expose your child to this injustice and hatred? As a 4-year-old,
I knew he was smart enough to make the statement; yet, unable to think through
the structural logic of his statement. It is not just a statement. It is an
intricate web of social, moral, and racial inequities of our society.
It scare me as well. What will this child do if
confronted by law enforcement? I cannot control the future nor can I predict
it. I do not know what is in store for our future. I hope that by educating
that we can overcome this looming darkness.
I believe we were all made the same on the inside by
God. The unique part of us is our personality and skin. How boring would it be
if we were all the same? I have 18 children in my classroom. There are about 22
children on my school bus. 40 children I encounter every day. One child can
change the course of life in any given way.
Any person who engages in racism or bigotry needs to
find some mountain town to live in away from our communities. Leave it at home.
Our communities need to be rebuilt by equities by all, not just some.
Violence does not beget violence. It is hard to see
past the piece of the puzzle in front of us. Can anyone see that the violence
aggravates the broken pieces of humanity? The pieces have to be put together.
We first have to believe. In ourselves and each other.
We can live in peace. It is possible. We can live in peace with respect if
nothing else. Life is too short to lose people by violence.
We are so artificial.
