Hey guys, as always, thank you for taking time out to read this, I really do appreciate it. Please give honest, hardcore feedback, positive or negative. I especially want to know if I come off too angry or cynical and if I ever lose focus of my ideas. I also would appreciate if you guys could see my personality showing or if my voice is apparent. My main goal is to get accepted into UofChicago so if this essay isn't up to par in terms of content, please let me know as well! Once again, thank you guys so much for reading this and enjoy!
I am not an American. If I was, I would be proud of the treatment of all our citizens. No, to be an American means to be equal with everyone else. That is not the case. There is a malignant tumor present in the body of America known as racism. This issue is what my life is dedicated towards solving and until equality for all individuals is reached, regardless of race, I will continue to not be an American. I simply will be living in America.
What helped formulate my passion to serve minorities is the background I grew up in. Both of my parents were immigrants from India, rooted within their culture as proud Indians. I grew up a practicing Sikh as well, a definite minority in the diverse United States. Due to my background and religious garb, I was the easy target of bullying. To personally experience the backlash of systemic racism in this country whilst also witnessing the hardships that my father and mother went through increased my desire to represent the minority groups who have been unable to receive the appropriate attention that is necessary. In addition, I witnessed that my case wasn't an isolated one. Being integrated into a Caucasian dominated community, I became more aware of the underlying subconscious racism that was present within our generation. I noticed (and continue to do so) that many teenagers are indifferent to the racial stereotypes that they label others with and utter racial slurs as if it is a part of their regular diction. This indicates that there is a traditional mindset that is being inherited and this further impacted my determination to become a catalyst for change and abolish these injustices.
Collectively, our society has become inebriated with what we think is equality, yet we are far from that point. The recent events in Ferguson illustrate is that there is a great deal of underlying tension present. The first step towards abolishing racism is to reevaluate our nation holistically. Any nation that proudly waves a flag that tethered to hate and discrimination (as done with the Confederate flag) is one that needs to question its ideals and the sincerity of its leaders who claim they support minorities yet their actions convey otherwise. Secondly, we need to unite and openly invite discussion towards this ever polarizing topic. In order to minimize racism, we need to discuss about racism. The more it is discussed, the less plausible it seems that our society has a racist agenda to oppress the minorities. Finally, together, we have to acknowledge that there is an issue present. It appears as if many believe the problem was admonished in the past yet it is as prominent now as it was then. Simply put, racism in the US is a knife, dividing our nation whilst causing pain. Progress is needed. However, progress is not pulling the knife out three inches in a nine inch deep wound; it is not just apologizing for the knife being there. It is healing the wound completely. We have not even acknowledged the knife is there.
Quite frankly, it is naïve to believe that racism has vanquished. Yet the issue is continually pushed under the rug. I hope to provide the groundwork for a solution to achieve true equality within our nation. I do believe the issue will be minimized in my lifetime because I will work tirelessly until it is recognized "that all men (and women) are created equal" and that justice is served on all fronts, regardless of race. I know there is a suppressed group of individuals within our country who are in dire need of representation and it's our responsibility to serve them. Ultimately, to relate to my idol Malcolm X, if I can die having brought any light, exposing any meaningful truth, then all the credit goes towards God. Only the mistakes have been mine.
I am not an American. If I was, I would be proud of the treatment of all our citizens. No, to be an American means to be equal with everyone else. That is not the case. There is a malignant tumor present in the body of America known as racism. This issue is what my life is dedicated towards solving and until equality for all individuals is reached, regardless of race, I will continue to not be an American. I simply will be living in America.
What helped formulate my passion to serve minorities is the background I grew up in. Both of my parents were immigrants from India, rooted within their culture as proud Indians. I grew up a practicing Sikh as well, a definite minority in the diverse United States. Due to my background and religious garb, I was the easy target of bullying. To personally experience the backlash of systemic racism in this country whilst also witnessing the hardships that my father and mother went through increased my desire to represent the minority groups who have been unable to receive the appropriate attention that is necessary. In addition, I witnessed that my case wasn't an isolated one. Being integrated into a Caucasian dominated community, I became more aware of the underlying subconscious racism that was present within our generation. I noticed (and continue to do so) that many teenagers are indifferent to the racial stereotypes that they label others with and utter racial slurs as if it is a part of their regular diction. This indicates that there is a traditional mindset that is being inherited and this further impacted my determination to become a catalyst for change and abolish these injustices.
Collectively, our society has become inebriated with what we think is equality, yet we are far from that point. The recent events in Ferguson illustrate is that there is a great deal of underlying tension present. The first step towards abolishing racism is to reevaluate our nation holistically. Any nation that proudly waves a flag that tethered to hate and discrimination (as done with the Confederate flag) is one that needs to question its ideals and the sincerity of its leaders who claim they support minorities yet their actions convey otherwise. Secondly, we need to unite and openly invite discussion towards this ever polarizing topic. In order to minimize racism, we need to discuss about racism. The more it is discussed, the less plausible it seems that our society has a racist agenda to oppress the minorities. Finally, together, we have to acknowledge that there is an issue present. It appears as if many believe the problem was admonished in the past yet it is as prominent now as it was then. Simply put, racism in the US is a knife, dividing our nation whilst causing pain. Progress is needed. However, progress is not pulling the knife out three inches in a nine inch deep wound; it is not just apologizing for the knife being there. It is healing the wound completely. We have not even acknowledged the knife is there.
Quite frankly, it is naïve to believe that racism has vanquished. Yet the issue is continually pushed under the rug. I hope to provide the groundwork for a solution to achieve true equality within our nation. I do believe the issue will be minimized in my lifetime because I will work tirelessly until it is recognized "that all men (and women) are created equal" and that justice is served on all fronts, regardless of race. I know there is a suppressed group of individuals within our country who are in dire need of representation and it's our responsibility to serve them. Ultimately, to relate to my idol Malcolm X, if I can die having brought any light, exposing any meaningful truth, then all the credit goes towards God. Only the mistakes have been mine.