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| Jason Jewell Class of 2017 |
I am bi-racial, black and white, raised by my white mother and family. My mom has a Ph.D in Social Work creating a deeper understanding for systematic issues such as racism education economics and the intersection of them all. I can remember my mom getting into contentious arguments with family about politics and each holiday or get-together, I would pray she would not bring anything up or go on some rant. The older I became the more I began to understand the racial undertones of even the most broad political arguments. I myself would sit there as a bi-racial kid hoping and praying that no one brought up a conversation of race because I simply wanted to enjoy company and food that I love. Love doesn’t recognize race, which is why conversations about race are so difficult. The people in the room are my family and I enjoy their company but I struggle with the idea that despite their individual love for me, they are a product of a systematically racist society. To not understand the struggles of another group can be upsetting but to openly deny their struggles is to undermine their entire existence in this country. Most things in our lives are choices we make, whether it be political party, favorite artist or team, whatever it may be, race however has never once been a choice.
Racism persists in this country because we are fighting over 300 years of history, culture and education that teaches us that race matters. Even if we were to truly create a race neutral curriculum and culture, it would still take several generations to rid this country of racism. We have not reached the mountaintop, we still do not live in a post-racial society.
Racism is not what it once was, it is no longer okay to openly spew hatred for another race, which has forced an evolution. Racism has become insidious, it is not in the open, it is lightly veiled in code words like urban, or thugs, it is covered with politics. It is most often only felt by those who are still oppressed by it, making them look crazy to the oppressor who has never felt the wrath of racism due to a cloak of white privilege.
Race is among the most complicated topics in our country, which also makes it one of the hardest to discuss. Its lack of discussion makes it near impossible to dismantle the system that has always perpetuated a racial divide. The way we begin to end racism is by having tough conversations with people, specifically white people about its true effects. It is only when white people are willing and able to acknowledge and discuss their privilege that we will even have an attempt at ending racism in a country built by and on the backs of our ancestors.
Jason Jewell, of Louisville, Ky., is a senior McConnell Scholar studying political science and economics.