ERASE Racism 2012 Essay Contest Winner

Kwesi Aaron, senior at Roosevelt High School

Essay Question:  As a student, how can you change public perceptions of race and racism in ways that create greater racial equity?  Why is it important to do so?

In essence, racism is something that comes about through ignorance.  People make connections between race and other unrelated characteristics, and ascribe them to all members of a particular race.  They end up judging people before they meet them, and often discriminate against them because of preconceived notions.  Most, if not all, of the people who do not subscribe to this narrow minded, presumptuous line of thought, usually have seen firsthand enough exceptions to these “racial rules” that they have disregarded any correlation between skin color and other characteristics, whether considered positive or negative.  I am referring to integration.  Exposure to large groups of people of many different races allows for experiences with a wider range of the behaviors and cultures exhibited by those of certain backgrounds.  Without the knowledge that there are many black people that are not good at basketball, but rather calculus, people must rely on hearsay and the media to formulate their views on others.  Both sources are unreliable and quite often narrow.

I learned about many lesser known aspects of segregation at the ERASE Racism Student Leadership Forum.  I never before knew that banks did not give loans to black people in certain areas, and the value of neighborhoods was determined by proximity to minorities.  I see the continued effects of that system on Long Island.  While there are no longer laws requiring segregation, people do not integrate because of the starkly contrasting conditions of the towns divided by race.  Without getting into the history of why this is so, I feel it is worth mentioning that this process can be reversed through the higher education system.

Colleges and magnet schools should become the center of integration, in that each institution brings together all walks of life and all sorts of geographic, economic and racial diversity.  It is for that reason that the education system might have the greatest potential for limiting the effects of racism in America.

As a young, black, college-bound male, I play a small role in the effort of integration.  I will be attending a 75% Caucasian undergraduate institution.  I have no apprehensions because I feel that I must give the benefit of the doubt as much as I would like to be granted the same privilege.  I will be friendly and gravitate only to those who align with me in principle, ideology, and humor – all the makings of good friends.  In the past, doing so has found me good friends from members of all races (accidentally).  My diverse set of friends is a result of not believing in racial stereotypes, which I attempt to employ in my everyday dealings.  It is important for anyone interested in eradicating racism to operate in such a fashion because often when exposed to this behavior people who may not be as progressive tend to reciprocate and emulate this attitude.

There is more to integration than just playing the role of a racial bridge.  I also must play the role of the “anomaly”.  In retrospect, it is insensitive and inaccurate to refer to myself as an anomaly, since there are more than enough black people going to college, doing well (often better than me) for that word to apply.  However, in the mind of a narrow eyed person, I am.  That is why I must act as the exception to whatever rule they formed in their head.  Once I break all their rules, I break them free from the chains of ignorance.  Once exposed, race would no longer become a consideration in deciding where to live, who to hire, who to become friends with or who to marry.  That is a step in the right direction.