Inequities disguised by the notion of freedom

America ostensibly represents freedom; America really represents inequities disguised by the notion of freedom. And the root cause of these inequities is race.  

Race has always been a prevalent aspect of my life and while I recognized it at an early age, I did not understand its implications.  I still don't understand all of race's implications. However, talking to Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton today provided me with yet another racial perspective.  

When discussing race, Dr. Sybil Hampton did not refer to races by color. She did not use the terms black and white; rather, she regarded these respective races as African American and Anglo.  Through doing this, Dr. Hampton was not ignoring race but rather condemning the judgment associated with race. 

I was shocked and inspired by her grace.  Dr. Hampton did not process her experience with racial discrimination through hatred but rather she used her experience to create positive change.  Although schools have desegregated, they have yet to reflect true integration. Students naturally self segregate because humans naturally associate with those who are similar to them. And while with race comes culture, I think students are daunted by racial differences and have yet to recognize the similarities they share with one another despite race.  

As a student, I am part of this issue. I witness self-segregation daily. As a white student attending a predominately black school, I am closer friends with other white students. While I do not deliberately separate myself from students of other races, I find myself naturally with those of my own color. This trip has inspired me to recognize and improve this aspect of the educational system. Advanced programs create a bold racial divide and the first step to alleviating this divide is to create awareness and spark conversation. 

Anonymous