The Mind of a Minority in America
What does it mean to be a minority in America?
For minorities across the United States, this question will generate a plethora of answers. The definition of what makes an “American” is a subjective term that changes based on who you ask.
Minorities are the foundation of America. The U.S was founded on the principle that everyone has an equal opportunity to achieve the American dream. However, for minorities, this isn’t always reality.
Minorities in America are continually fighting against a system designed to work against them. It means working every day to reverse the racism that has prevailed for decades in hopes of creating a more equitable society.
As a first-generation Latina, being a minority in America means speaking out against injustices in my community. It is essential to fight against the faults in the immigration system, such as the separation of families and the cruelty that runs ICE detention centers. It is vital to shout Vanessa Guillen’s name to make sure no one forgets the name of the Latina soldier that was willing to put her life on the line to defend a country that failed to protect her.
As a minority, it is essential to remember that you are not confined to solely your ethnicity. Being a minority in America means standing up for others who also find themselves oppressed.
Our goal is the same; we are all fighting against systemic racism.
It has become normalized to see Black Americans brutally being murdered on the news every other week. It has become so prevalent that many start to become desensitized to police brutality.
According to the Washington Post, “They [Black Americans] account for less than 13 percent of the U.S population but are killed by police at more than twice the rate of white Americans” (2020).
The most inhumane part about it is the justice system continues to fail them over and over.
Most recently, Breonna Taylor and Jacob Blake, who have yet to see their case brought to justice.
For Black Americans, living in America means fighting to stay alive in a society that has automatically vilified them, regardless of the situation.
There is no growth without education. It is necessary to acknowledge the years of historic oppression towards minority groups. This country was built on the free labor of enslaved minorities. The hope for an equitable society is achieved through love and compassion for others, and we can only do so by educating those around us.
As minorities, we must come together to continue to fight for those whose names the media fails to mention, and for the oppressed. The fight for the end of systemic racism has been long but is far from over.
