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| Erica Gaither Class of 2019 |
I’ve been aware of the concept of race like I’ve been aware of the fact that I have feet, and hands, or even eyes. There was never an exact, definite, life changing moment when I became aware, instead, I think I’ve just always known. I never needed someone to tell me that the color of my mother and father’s skin were different, I could see that with my own eyes. I also didn’t fail to see how I didn’t quite match either of their skin tones as well. Just as I wasn’t blind to the difference in color I exhibited from my parents, neither was the community that I lived in.
Growing up in a conservative, rural town in Western Kentucky- where the term “diversity” is never used when describing our tiny population of 12,000 people- definitely shaped my identity, views of the world and what I dreamt I would be capable of pursuing in my life. It has taken me nearly nineteen years to even be aware or understand that because I am a biracial woman, I am ultimately set up to receive the back lash of not only white privilege, but male privilege as well. I hate to make it seem as though I am demonizing the environment that I grew up in, but now residing in Louisville, Kentucky, I have been thrown into a complete cultural shock that has redefined every thought I have concerning our society.
Looking back, never in my life was I taught history without it being presented as a biased narrative favoring the white race. I still remember sitting in my sociology class this semester and being ashamed to admit that I knew nothing of the Native American race except for what I had seen on Peter Pan. Or that for years Asian-Americans have fell victim to a stigmatization that they are the “exceptional minority” and receive no government attention or assistance. Or that in our prison system there is an overt racial disparity, in which African-American and Hispanic or Latinos communities have suffered the most from. I could go on and on about the injustices that continue to occur in our society, but the point I am trying to make is that along with the history I have learned in relation to myself and the social constructs that I fall into, I have also become aware of other races’ history and treatment throughout our society. The education system I had been a part of for nearly 12 years, never exposed me to this conversation. It may be uncomfortable, it may be difficult but it’s a conversation that needs to be had.
Race is one of the most defining factors in how you are treated in society- which I do not condone at all, but can’t ignore that is true. I owe my new found knowledge and awareness to my beginning college education. I refuse to accept that the society I live in expects me to fail, or any other underrepresented community to as well. I plan to spend the rest of my life fighting against racially biased practices and discriminations. And to show anyone and everyone that I am not letting the color of my skin define what I am capable of doing, but instead embracing my identity and chasing every dream I have.
Erica Gaither is a freshman McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville. She studies political science.