A Message to Racism

Going into 2021, is something none of us were prepared for. First COVID, then death- a lot of it, and then getting out of our 2021 hangover into the end of the year at present date. We have heard it all, from Black Lives Matter movement to discrimination across the nation on a very politically polar level. To dive more into that discrimination, I would like to generally express some feelings towards racism.

I mean let’s begin with the origination of slavery, to present day slavery. Our local farmers feel the governments’ wrath, they fail to deliver reverence to our African American farmers they fail to repay the community for the racist man's past of treating said community. This is something that I hold very dear to my heart. I feel that the community who was hurt the

most is and always will be the one cause I will seek Justice for. I think the most valuable thing a person can offer to this community is an ear. It does not matter that you cannot understand or ever will, but your willingness to listen and hear the story and sympathize. This is just one example of systemic racism in this country. Another example of systemic racism is barring individuals from obtaining non-discriminatory treatment in their work. Otherwise, known as, affirmative action. I have found that many times, people assume that Affirmative Action is no

longer present in the workplace. However, I would advise that we look a little closer. There has been much talk of discrimination in schools and upon taking your entrance exam for college. Yet, how have we not addressed this as a nation. Or made it clear who and why these schools are discriminating against African American and Latino students. In a recent study from about the year 2000 to the year 2020, has shown an overall (almost 100%) decrease in the amount of African American students at listed selective colleges (Segregation Forever). The article goes into further detail about how there are more than 30 institutions where segregation is still a very real occurrence.

A similar and legal instance of discrimination is being seen at Harvard University. Where the SFFA (Student for Fair Admissions), is suing the school for discrimination towards Asian Americans. Harrison Chen, according to GBH News, is alleging in this supreme court case, that Harvard used a “holistic approach to evaluating” its applicants, which the Supreme Court has praised them of (in the past) yet is discriminatory. However, may Asian American students are voicing their opinions of Harvard's’ selective applicant process. For example, an individual named Xu felt he was discriminated against upon being rejected by Harvard with a 4.4 GPA and “near perfect SAT scores” (Carapezza). I mean 4.4 GPA? Why would anyone be rejected from

Harvard with scores like said above? The answer is Harvard isn’t the only one. While we don’t know what will come of the lawsuit just yet, we do know that other universities and colleges are on the brink of major exclusion of our African American and Latino communities. This is, of course, regarding admissions process and current student demographics at certain selective colleges (Segregation Forever). Such colleges as, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, right in our back yard (given your reading this from Minnesota). U of M is just one of many listed colleges in the article Segregation Forever that tells how the African American and Latino students are being recruited more in colleges. And yet have not apologized or offer reprimands for the lower rate of admissions amongst said communities as seen in 2017. And with the lowest rate of African American students seen at California’s Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo college, with rates as low as .8%, I think it’s fair to say we could use an improvement across our country. And not to leave out the highest rating of African American students, at University of Alabama in Huntsville, with a percentage of 11.4. This is quite upsetting and

unacceptable.

I don’t wish to complain about the entirety of this spiel, but I do aim to inform and bring

light to the subject at hand. Which if you were not already aware, it is, modern-day segregation.

It exists and it is still impairing people from getting the job they want, and a way to meet their

needs. I mean I know when we’re at our lowest, most of us find a way right? Well, this isn’t always the case, especially if you have no knowledge of discrimination still happening in our country. Some people believe that we live in a land of opportunity and vast resources for its’ citizens. Did you know that less than 20% of the country’s farmers are African American (Trevor Noah). Did you also know that racism accounts for most of this statistic, and keeps farmers from receiving compensation for relief regarding, past treatment of this demographic. Though farmers across the nation tend to feel a certain disposition against African American farmers, the opposing team is determined to keep their agenda current and at the forefront of the USDA’s mind. Which USDA has often kept promises to offer reparations and specifically, compensation to African American farmers, but has NEVER delivered this promise. This is arbitrary and needs to stop. We have to understand that many communities have been discriminated against, but the African American community has been slapped in the face (specifically, but not limited to, African American farmers) MULTIPLE TIMES. This is unacceptable. Even a four-year-old knows, when you do something wrong, be it what you wanted to do, or even what someone else wanted you to do, you must apologize and make amends. But repeatedly, we see that the US wants nothing to do with reprimands and apologies. I just hope more for our future generations and the hope that we can, as a community, take on this unfortunate and devastating issue we see today, called systemic racism.