You may not be able to read the words in this picture, but it's a picture of a bathroom stall wall at the high school. Above a drawn swastika, it reads,
"Fuck niggs and wiggs, hicks will rise."
Which to that, someone has written "ya!".
I don't know why, but for some reason, I am still, absolutely astounded when I hear about things like this. But to be honest, I shouldn't be. I have a degree in sociology and am on my way to a masters in social justice studies. I, more than most, should be keenly aware of the racism that still exists in America today. I know about the racial disparities in the criminal justice system. I know that where you live in America dictates how you live. I know that while many people are fighting for justice and for real and lasting change in this country, institutional discrimination is still alive and well. Take a look at the New Jersey Turnpike Study if you don't believe me; it will blow your mind.
And yet, I see something like this, and I am still stunned. I am still disgusted. I want to cry.
And that, is why I am writing. After a five year absence from this blog, I can no longer stay quiet about the things happening in this world that are simply not right.
Amid all the recipes, home decorating tips, and friends' baby nursery ideas on pinterest, I came across this photo the other day. Something about this photo awoke something that has been sitting idle inside me for far too long. Silence. Silence about what I know to be true and the courage to say it.
I can say with full confidence and assurance that what is written on that bathroom wall, is wrong. The fact that the school has done nothing to take it off, is wrong. The fact that someone wrote "ya!", is wrong.
Unfortunately for us, the word "racism" is thrown around far too much in this country. Too often, people accuse each other of being or acting "racist". Just so we're clear, I'm going to provide us all with the sociological definition of racism. Racism, is "the idea or belief in the superiority of a given race of people and therefore the inherent inferiority in other races." This bathroom wall writing, is a clear example of one individual valuing their superiority over another. "Rising" assumes the need to elevate, or "rise", over another. To become superior, while making others inferior.
It is this kind of thinking that is, I hate to say it in such crass terms, ass backwards. This thought is a thought that divides us as a people, and as a country. So here is what I have to say to this individual....
Hello name-less, face-less, cowardly person who had to voice his thoughts on a bathroom stall, where no one could identify him,
You are wrong. I am ashamed of you, and I feel sorry for you. I truly do. I don't know if anyone's told you this recently, but you live in the year 2012. In 2012, we don't, or shouldn't I should say, believe that some are superior while others are inferior. We are all, children of God, and have worth that you can't even begin to understand. As Brad Paisley so wonderfully sang, "welcome to the future". In this future, you are welcomed, but your hateful thoughts and actions are not. As John Mellencamp put it, "if you're not part of the future, than get out of the way." So please, next time you feel the need to elevate yourself above others, making yourself higher while pushing others down... don't. If you're not willing to change, and accept all of us, then just keep it to yourself.
Oh, and next time, don't deface public property. Besides being illegal, it's just not nice.
Love,
Shannon
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