What do you believe about equality and justice?
Post submissions here that match this topic thread in comments.
What do you believe about equality and justice?
Post submissions here that match this topic thread in comments.
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July 11, 2023 at 2:09 am
Anju I
Living in Japan, “Racism” was a word that I thought I would never encounter. I was soon proven wrong. When realizing I come from a mixed background, people would express their distaste for me; this only got worse with the pandemic.
While walking in the mall with family, we would alternate between speaking Japanese, Cantonese, and English. We lined up outside a store. There was a father and his two young children in front of us. He didn’t react much when we spoke Japanese. However, when we started to talk in mixed languages, the father pushed his kids forward as much as he could even though the line was not moving to get as far away from us as possible. I do not know if he thought he was being discreet. But it was quite clear to me that my family and I might have sounded like we were foreigners who spoke Chinese. What struck me even more is that I am a mix of Japanese and share the language and culture of this father and his children. To me, he judged and assumed that “foreigners” carry COVID.
I believe that nobody should have to experience this. With that, I stand up to these situations, trying to bring awareness to them. To say that I will single-handedly stop this is unrealistic; however, if more people stood up for this kind of misunderstanding, many would have a more challenging time jumping to such conclusions. They would be forced into a situation where they would have to think before they make any irrational or shallow judgments.
Separating a group of people based on misinformation has been repeated over history multiple times. It is embarrassing that although technology and time have advanced so much, this one thing never changes. We still do this even though we teach the youth not to do so. I will not be someone who does not learn from their mistakes.
July 11, 2023 at 6:33 pm
Racism and lack of equality is a major issue within our society that has been occurring for many years. It is unfortunate that you and your family had been treated in that way. As a whole, we should work on decreasing racism and the affect of stereotypes. Hopefully, with time and engagement we can make some progress.
July 19, 2023 at 7:26 pm
This is interesting, it’s so insightful to hear about your experiences in another country compared to what most of us are used to in the U.S. You made some amazing points, and I’m so sorry you had to experience that.
August 15, 2023 at 3:35 pm
I think it’s ridiculous that people judge groups of people based on information they hear. My favorite thing to do is to get to know people that are different than me in their life experiences and background. That man misused that interaction to show his kids hatred and discrimination rather than making it a teaching moment of love and how our differences can bring us closer together. I’m sorry you had to experience that. I’m glad UMass Dartmouth has such a diverse student body! Thats what made me feel at home.
August 16, 2023 at 12:51 am
Soph L.
As I was thinking about this essay and what my core beliefs are I came up with a few but the one that sticks out the most to me and I believe is the most important for me is that I always give people the benefit of the doubt. Reflecting on this belief, I realized that growing up I always noticed how my parents and grandparents always see the good in people. No matter what they do for work, where they live, who they are and their lifestyle, they respected others for the humans that they are and not their status. Looking back, I can see that because of how they treat others, they always seem to be surrounded by kind people who are like minded.
I have consciously and subconsciously continued with this belief that all people deserve to be seen and validated. I can remember as far back as elementary school when I would always talk to the kids that “didn’t fit in” and would welcome them into my circle. This did not always fair well to my “social game”, but I learned at a young age to not let that bother me because being kind to people was more important. I believe that this core belief has also helped in me accepting me for who I am and becoming self-confident. We all have something to offer to our communities and I am hoping to meet more like-minded people at UMassD and forging lifelong friendships.
August 24, 2023 at 6:45 pm
Definitely well worded and really interesting to hear an experience like that in another country especially at such a young age
September 5, 2023 at 6:41 pm
I’m so sorry you have to deal with this. This is a huge problem in our country and it has just gotten worse with the pandemic. Thank you for sharing your experience, I think this is truly a societal issue we all need to bring more awareness to.
September 6, 2023 at 1:12 am
I like the use of a personal anecdote to show the misconceptions of the world and how that is a form of inequality. I agree that Covid is a historical example of a race being misconstrued by an event that took place at the time which can lead to big or small acts of racism as a result.
September 7, 2023 at 1:30 am
I’m really really sorry that happened to you Aikeda. It’s terrible that racism has become so normalized today. Especially in 2020 I couldn’t imagine how hard you had it with the xenophobia and remarks made by others. Too often minorities are met with racial discrimination especially when someone that looks like them is seen as bad. As an African American I can a test to that. Many times we aren’t seen as indiviudals, if one of us is bad we’re all seen as bad. It is very unfortunate our world is this way.
July 12, 2023 at 10:33 pm
I am not who I truly am on the inside. My body does not align with my authentic self, causing me immense pain and a profound sense of disconnect. It feels as though I am trapped, desperate to crawl out of this skin that doesn’t belong to me. The presence of lumps on my chest and thighs, symbols of femininity meant for carrying a child, only serve to further alienate me from my own body. This vessel, this embodiment of societal expectations, does not define me. I detest the constant anguish of feeling uncomfortable in my own skin, in my own body. Gazing at myself in the mirror is not a mere act of self-reflection; it is a tormenting reminder of the incongruity that plagues me. I feel my chest cave in and tighten, draining my strength, as if the weight of societal judgment and internal turmoil bears down on me. I yearn to break free. Yet, as I reach out for gender-affirming care, I find it slipping further from my grasp. It has become an expensive luxury, an inaccessible dream for most. Our rights, our very existence, are being eroded. Every day, gender nonconforming people endure a silent struggle against a society that denies them healthcare, gender-affirming care, and essential services. It is an assault on our identities, an act of erasure that attempts to confine us to the shadows. We face relentless attacks simply for being who we are, regardless of our gender or sexuality. Stepping outside our homes in clothes and hairstyles that make us feel comfortable is an act of bravery, for it is accompanied by the constant fear of harassment, harm, abduction, or threats. The stories and incidents of queer and trans individuals being assaulted, victimized, and even murdered solely due to their identity are a stark reminder of the deep injustice that persists. No one truly comprehends the inner pain we endure, the heaviness that weighs upon our souls. This is America, a nation founded on the principles of equality and freedom. But, in reality, those ideals seem reserved solely for the privileged few – white, male, old, Christian, and straight. We, too, long for the promise of equality to extend to all corners of society. We long for a world where our identities are respected, celebrated, and protected.
August 9, 2023 at 4:40 pm
I liked how you touched on the significance of justice in protecting the rights and laws of individuals, while still acknowledging the challenges in the achieving true justice due to discrimination in our society. It is good that you give particular examples, such as restrictions on free expression, violations of human rights, and police brutality, since these demonstrate the necessity for justice in a real-world setting.
August 24, 2023 at 6:49 pm
Really engaging to read and great wording to touch base around all of the valid points about the rights of individuals
August 28, 2023 at 4:31 pm
I love how you paired insightful, gut wrenching descriptions of gender dysphoria
August 28, 2023 at 4:40 pm
(I accidentally posted my comment a bit early so if that somehow gets approved do ignore that)
Anyways, I love how your paired insightful, gut wrenching descriptions of gender dysphoria with the material reality LGBTQ+ rights, connecting the more abstract emotional anguish with the very physical state of things in our current culture. I appreciated your affirmations of the bravery required to present as your actual self, as even in spite of the many advances made recently it mustn’t be forgotten than there is still much progress to be made.
September 6, 2023 at 1:19 am
I really liked the way you described gender dysphoria. It helped to visualize a small piece of the anguish the trans community feel in their everyday lives.
September 6, 2023 at 2:11 am
This was excellently worded. I loved how open you were on how this has impacted you personally, it gave me a new perspective on how this topic affects different groups.
July 16, 2023 at 8:43 pm
Omer M
In life we are taught that justice and equality are two beliefs that make up a better society. They basically intend to promote ideas of respect for every individual in our society. They also intend to help promote human rights laws today. Equality refers to better treatment of others no matter of gender, race, or religion. I believe in the concept of equality because when it is applied to society, it helps open new paths for others to step into and to achieve greater heights and even have unlimited chances to live in a society of peace and to have a sense of belonging in the world. However, Justice comes in many different forms and helps protect the rights and laws of every individual no matter what their race, gender, or religion. The main point Justice has is to eliminate unfair treatment and to help people achieve greater goals with greater opportunities. However, in today’s society this is a hard process because discrimination of people of color, gender, and religion still exists. These examples of discrimination include the limitations of freedom of speech, basic human rights and freedoms, and even incidents of police brutality towards people of color. Maintaining equality and justice is a long process and has been for as long as most of us can remember. By helping to Aim for a better society, and to educate the next generation the importance of equality and justice, I believe we can identify types of discrimination and take action against them.
July 19, 2023 at 7:23 pm
One of the most valuable things society can practice and implement is equality. Unfortunately, as civilizations grow and advance technologically, they seem to move farther and farther away from equity, inclusion, and justice. The United States, for example, although it touts itself as a free and equal country, is deeply divided and it is this division that hinders the country’s ability to grow. For centuries, minority groups have faced discrimination, prejudice, and even hate crimes, which is a shameful blemish on an otherwise prideful country. As a member of the LGTBQ+ community, I can attest that not everyone is treated equally, and even in today’s age of activism, there are still people who refuse to treat others fairly. Being on the receiving end of hate is not fun, and is even scary to think that there are people living in our community who would like to see us disappear. There is so much anger and hatred out in the world and instead of turning on each other, we could put that passion towards something productive to make the place we live a welcome and safe space for everyone, no matter their race, religion, or sexual orientation. There is so much opportunity to do good yet, people continue to hate and focus on the wrong issues, which will have detrimental impacts on the growth of society in the United States. People should stop caring so much about other people’s personal lives and instead come together as one to make real change and progress.
August 10, 2023 at 5:04 pm
perfectly said, it’s true we truly could make a difference if society as a whole wasn’t so drawn apart. I agree that if we transfer that passion we could definitely make a positive change
August 14, 2023 at 5:19 am
Caden D
Freedom is one of our core beliefs as Americans. It is possibly our strongest belief as a nation. However, the idea of freedom is useless if we do not implement it into society. The creation and promotion of freedom is the basic premise of many stories that define American History. In the early days of the U.S.A, basic freedoms were only reserved for a privileged few based on the conditions of their birth. Throughout our history and still continuing today, the battle to create and preserve freedom has been a hard one, but it has been a slow and steady victory. Through protests and sometimes literal battles, we have advanced human rights to levels our ancestors couldn’t even imagine, but America still has a lot of work to do. So does the rest of the world, but that’s a topic for a different time. This country still has a lot to do in terms of improving rights and justice for anyone who isn’t male, white, cisgender, heterosexual, etc. We also need to globally get rid of any form of slavery. As a superpower built on the idea of freedom, I believe the U.S. is obligated to protect it on all fronts. We also need to make the “United” part of the United States of America mean more, which means focusing on our similarities more than our differences. I believe our nation can live up to its most core ideal of liberty and justice for all.
July 19, 2023 at 9:57 pm
Sports can be a truly powerful vehicle of unification. While it is common for fans of different backgrounds and beliefs to come together to cheer on the same team, it is rare that a sports team can unite those same fans around an idea outside of the “sports world”. My experience with this is tied to the NBA Bubble created during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Bubble was a $190 million investment by the NBA to protect its 2019–20 season and the players from the pandemic and to continue the NBA regular season and the playoffs. While many NBA players may have elected to enter the Bubble to preserve their status or increase their finances,their participation in this season became an opportunity to spread a message of social justice.
During the Playoffs of this unprecedented season, the Milwaukee Bucks did not take the floor before the start of a critical Game 5 (vs the Orlando Magic) to protest the lack of legal response following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. This singular decision prompted many players and fans to take to Twitter to protest this injustice in our country. In future games, athletes took to the court with phrases stitched on the backs of their jerseys such as “Say Her Name,” “I Can’t Breathe,” “Education Reform,” and “Vote,” to help call attention to social and racial injustices. As a result, more fans drew inspiration from these players, and joined them to protest for change. I count myself as one of these fans – I took more of an interest in the news, and even participated in various local protests. In a time of separation and disconnection brought about by the pandemic, the players’ actions demonstrated the great potential of sports as a unifying force. It gave (and continues to give) athletes a platform to promote social justice and increase awareness. In turn, it launched a movement that motivated countless people (both in and out of the sports world) to join in the fight for change.
August 24, 2023 at 6:51 pm
Glad someone decided to talk about the sports world during the pandemic using a very relatable topic to talk about real life tragedy and social injustices and how the World wide business and events show there outcry to try to show light to the situation great essay
July 25, 2023 at 3:01 pm
Adry C
At a young age, you are often shielded from the truth, that the world is a wicked and unforgiving place. Adults and children’s media fill your mind with a cotton-candy coated rendition of the world. They lie straight to your face as they say “there is no war, no poverty, no violence, no injustice,” to name a few. So how are we supposed to fix these issues if we do not learn about them appropriately? How are we supposed to fix these issues if children are not taught that these issues exist in the first place?
As you grow, you learn about this cruelty and by that time it is far too late. You have already faced or seen these aspects of life. On the news, you see families, brothers, sisters, friends, and strangers protest in the name of justice. In the newspaper, you read articles about disasters caused by global warming that have decimated forests and people’s homes. On social media, you hear about the latest school shooting where victims mourn the death of their classmates and teachers. In person, you see homeless people beaten and arrested by police for being homeless. You simply can not escape it.
The undeniable truth is that the world is cruel. Luckily, there is still time to fix the mess that humanity has made. However, we can only accomplish this together. A single person may be able to create a ripple but two or more can create a wave. So let us join hand and hand, human and human. We can make this world a better place, no matter how long it takes.
August 1, 2023 at 11:08 pm
By definition equality means “a state of affairs in which all individuals within a specific society have equal rights, liberties, and status, possibly including civil rights, freedom of expression, autonomy, and equal access to certain public goods and social services.” By definition justice means “ the concept that individuals are to be treated in a manner that is equitable and fair.” If you were to ask me, I would say those are definitions that people preach but no acts on them. America loves to say that this is what we stand for but they don’t. People don’t get treated like this at all. They may want to show that but it’s not true. Every month there’s a new story about a black individual in America getting some type of unfair treatment or even dying because they weren’t treated like everyone else. But are we all equal? Do we all have justice? Growing up in a black household in America. It has been hard to feel “equal” to everyone else even though they say we are all equal. I see my parents working harder just to fit in with the standard “equal”. Like all parents, mine tried to shadow and protect me from that negativity America false preaches. Unfortunately due to my colored skin I couldn’t be protected for long. I think my first core memory of being treated with not the same equality as the rest of my peers had to back in kindergarten. I went to a catholic school at the time and there had to be about 5 kids of color in the class out of 20. We were all trying out for a play and everyone wanted to try out for the lead role. Well unfortunately for us kids of color the teacher wouldn’t even allow us the time of day to try out and gave us all the side characters. At the time as a 5 year old kid I didn’t think much of it but now as an adult looking back on those years and comparing it to things I see on the news or the media about black kids not being treated fairly at school because of their skin color, I realized I had gone through some of the same things growing up. It’s not something you can be protected from. Not everyone is equal, we are not all the same like America preaches we are. It’s sad because we live in a lie and honestly it doesn’t look like it’s getting any better. And it’s not even the black community, it’s all minorities that are treated unfairly from everyone else. It’s like we live on a pyramid. With rankings of everyone’s worth. We are not all equal and what we are fed are lies. Recently the Supreme Court Justices just reversed a lot of laws that helped minorities, like the voting rights act, gay rights, and student admissions. It’s horrible how most of us get treated and most of it goes unnoticed. If America lived by these definitions the world would be a lot better and nicer to everyone and everything.
August 2, 2023 at 4:20 am
As I walked the 25 minutes from work to home today, I felt a profound sense of safety and security. This feeling was further reinforced when I helped a mother of 3 with her groceries, stepping into her house to help. As I was helping, I thought: “I really could get kidnapped right now” but that was just a random thought, I didn’t really feel it in my gut. My upbringing in Haiti, where danger lurked everywhere, had conditioned me to be constantly cautious, imagining worst-case scenarios, and thinking of escape plans. The constant depressing news and my parents’ horrible experiences shaped my paranoid and stressed disposition, eventually leading to stress-induced lupus.
In Haiti, cries of distress on the news were a daily norm, causing psychological turmoil. Moreover, my parents’ cold demeanor, though they still loved me, stemming from their own traumatic encounters with kidnappings and gunpoint threats, didn’t help me mentally. The scariest incident was when my dad received a threatening call, leaving me on high alert for weeks.
However, my sense of safety has been restored since moving to the US. I no longer feel unsafe or burdened with needing to constantly protect myself. Remarkably, my lupus has improved as well. Reflecting on my past, I sympathize with my younger self, craving for the feeling of security that was scarce.
Feeling safe is a fundamental human right that should never be compromised. The distinct contrast between my life in Haiti and my present secure environment reinforces this belief. Depriving someone of such a basic need profoundly impacts their well-being and self-perception.
August 8, 2023 at 3:40 pm
I’m glad you didn’t get kidnapped during the experience you mentioned, but I’ve definitely had that thought before in passing. Stay safe!
August 8, 2023 at 3:38 pm
Olive H
Being the optimist I try to be, I really want to believe that there will come a time when everybody is considered equal to one another. This goes for the rights and respect to people no matter what they look like, where they come from, or what they decide to be the right way of life for them. Being that I’m white and from a financially stable home, I kind of get impostor syndrome when discussing these types of issues, but also being transgender and receiving all of the backlash that comes with that, I think I have enough of a horse in this race. There are always going to be people who, not only won’t perceive me as feminine, but will view me as less than them. I can’t stop them, but I think through teaching newer generations to better understand and appreciate the differences between people, we can end up with a world more accepting of people like me. As it stands, I have been incredibly lucky that most people around me have been at least willing to tolerate that they share space with a trans woman, but I often fear that the people in the new places I go won’t. Let’s face it. People like me are not only being progressively denied their rights in our country, but are even being killed for trying to be the best version of themself they can. I guess the point in all of this rambling is that I don’t want to have to worry about that. Everyone is capable of respecting one another. You are all capable of having an open mind, and I’m sure most people try to. Equality isn’t something that can happen in an instant, but with enough time and effort, I really want to think the world can be a better place, for as childishly and cliché as that sounds. If you took the time to read this, thanks a million, and I hope you have a nice day. 🙂
August 12, 2023 at 11:11 pm
Josephine G
I absolutely agree that the rights of transgender individuals are being systematically stripped away by those in power, and that no matter what gender you are, it’s important to stand up in solidarity with those who are suffering due to bigotry and hate. Transgender folks deserve the same opportunities and happiness as everyone else, and so does everyone else in the LGBTQ+ community! Plus, since women already have fewer rights systematically, trans women are often at greater risk. I’d love to be able to see a world where acceptance and understanding of trans individuals overshadows oppression and hate.
August 9, 2023 at 9:09 pm
I believe in equality very strongly, equality is something that we have not had in the U.S for a while and I believe that needs to change, I don’t think its fair how someone can be treated differently based off their skin color, this is a problem that started in America 400 years ago when slaves were brought to this country from Africa and the conditions that they had to suffer through were unimaginable and colored people today are still feeling the effects of those things that happened so long ago today, for example the George floyd tragedy that happened not to long ago was a big event that sparked a lot of protests and discussion in this country because a black man was brutally murdered at the hands of the police and still even after all that people of color still face oppression in this country, it might not be something extreme like that but there are still little sneaky ways systemic racsim still exists in our country, like for example someone that is white might get a job over a person of color even if the person of color is more qualified for the job another big example of systemic racism in the U.S is the prison and justice system and how it treats people of color,black people are often put in jail for minor crimes and end up serving 15-20 years in prison when a white person could do the same thing and get a slap on the wrist, this has been proven multiple times throughout history. According to statistics a black youth is up to 4 times more likely to be detained or put in juvenile detention centers compared to white youth. This is one of America’s Major problems that needs to be solved.
August 10, 2023 at 5:01 pm
I believe that equality is something that is constantly talked about but never worked upon. I believe that this needs to change. Growing up as a girl in today’s society from experience is a blessing and a curse. In today’s society, even though equality between sex is firmly pushed, women are thrown into stereotypical gender norms. This point I made doesn’t even skim the surface of the reality of inequality in the real world. Throughout my entire life I was taught to cook an clean/do laundry, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing but it sets an image in a young persons mind that woman should be cleaning and cooking ect. This type of stereo typing is shown widely in our culture not just for woman but for minorities too. due to these stereotypes constantly being played in the media, people are more opt to feel like its okay to assume or say these things too… when its not. Looking at it this ways truly shows you why as a society we cant move on from the racism, sexism, homophobia when its constantly being undermined with crude undertones and false stereotypes. I believe that us as a society could be much less hateful if we were less tolerant of the ignorance that is spread throughout the media and were less prone to pass outdated ideas and beliefs to our next generation.
August 15, 2023 at 2:12 am
Thanks for sharing. I fully agree with you, society has engraved these roles and expectations for women that are so outdated. These stereotypes are also embedded into so many cultures like you mentioned, so it makes people think it’s oaky. It’s obviously perfectly fine for those who fall into those expectations, but woman shouldn’t be penalized or degraded for confining into those molds.
August 11, 2023 at 2:36 am
As a nonbinary person I strongly believe in equality. It is not something I usually tell someone outright unless they ask or I know they are LGBT+ for safety reasons. The amount of times I’ve been told to “pick a side” or asked “well what’s in your pants” is far too high. In theory it seems easy to respect something as simple as a person’s chosen name or pronouns, it has no real impact on the other person and is pretty easy to do, but a fair few people don’t seem to be able to do that. While many people accept or tolerate me, there is an unfortunately loud minority that believes, just because some people are different, they should not exist or do not deserve to. Due to people like them I have to be careful who I am myself around, who I correct if they use the wrong pronouns, and who I can casually talk with. While it isn’t fair, it is how our world is at the moment, it has been getting better though. People of older generations, at least in the U.S., like to blame social media and other sources for there seemingly being a rise in LGBT+ people, however the truth is we have always been here, the world has just become slowly more accepting over time of different identities, more people have felt comfortable openly being themselves. I do hope that at some point within my lifetime, given how things have been going, that there won’t be future children, teens, and adults who have to be careful who they are themselves around and they can just be.
August 15, 2023 at 12:00 am
A great way of breaking down how the LGBTQ+ community has always been a part of society and people were too ashamed to see it.
August 16, 2023 at 3:40 am
I can relate to this on a personal level as someone who has a sibling who is non-binary. I love your personal perspective on it and how you touched on safety issues because it can lead to dangerous situations, unfortunately. Loved reading this, good job!
August 11, 2023 at 4:23 pm
Aiden M
I am not a neurotypical person. You see, I have been diagnosed with autism when I was at a very young age. Because of this, I had been a target of ridicule in the past. While it was only a couple times, I’d still feel a sense of shame whenever it happened. I’d also get irritated by the people, often classmates, who’d talk to me in patronizing ways. This is most likely because they, and many other people, don’t actually understand what autism is. Thankfully, I believe this is starting to change, as I see equality between neurotypical and neurodivergent people becoming more of a possibility. Around my birth, autism used to be seen as if it were a disease that could ruin lives. But now I see more and more people stating they have autism and being accepted into communities. I’ve started seeing YouTube videos where autism is a topic of discussion, with autistic people commenting and relating to the videos. I believe that it is because of these videos that autistic people are able to be understood more. Speaking of videos, I believe that injustices are being called out as well, especially online. I’ve discovered information on why one of the autism advocacy groups my family used to support had actually left a harmful impact on the autistic people. I’ve seen people call out film and television for its mishandling of certain portrayals of autism. Even I made a video that educates people as a senior project for my high school. This rise in equality and justice has not only made me feel more comfortable, but has helped me understand myself and autism. While misconceptions and ableism are still problems, I hope this rise continues and that all neurodivergent people will feel more comfortable in this world.
August 14, 2023 at 2:35 pm
Aiden, Thank you for sharing your experience and helping all of us to to reflect on the ways we treat others.
September 6, 2023 at 1:58 am
As an autistic person I fully agree with this statement, and can personally relate to a lot of what you said.
August 12, 2023 at 9:15 pm
Growing in a diverse and welcoming part of New Jersey, I had never thought I would struggle with equality or justice. From kindergarten to senior year, inclusion was always taught and executed. It was not until I started to become my own person that I realized how jaded the world was. I will always be grateful that I grew up in an area where I was not the odd one out, but at the same time I had a tough time adjusting to the fact that I would eventually face inequality.
As a Black woman, I have always felt that I had to prove myself to the world more than others. This was not an issue, but social media changed that for me as a teen. I did not see shows or movies that had Black women or even people as anything other than a supporting role. Felling like I was not represented in the media had a big toll on how I viewed myself. The lead roles that featured Black people always painted them in a lesser manner. The media was based around adversity, the role was never, as superficial as it sounds, the popular girl. Though a role like that may lack substance, I think it is the kind of media impressionable minds cling to and mirror. As time went on, Black women were oversexualized online, which put me in a challenging headspace.
Social media has a significant impact on people and plays a bigger role in lives than it ever has before. Representation for all people of color needs to become more of a priority. I genuinely believe that if I saw people of color portrayed more in the media growing up, I would have thought of myself differently. The thought that I was not smart, desirable, and that I was destined for failure was instilled in me because that was all I saw. My hair was a challenge for me throughout my childhood, all I saw were women with straight hair so in my young impressionable mind, that is what I needed to have.
I am eternally grateful that improvement has been made, but there is a long way to go.
August 12, 2023 at 11:03 pm
Josephine G
In today’s world, the willingness and ability to accept others is paramount, with those who may have been unable to be themselves in the past now coming forward and expressing their truths. I believe It’s important to take it one step further, though, and not just accept, but seek to understand the identities of others and whatever struggles or joys might come along with them. An example of this would be neopronouns. Although I don’t use them, I gained a greater understanding of others when learning of their importance. They’re a way of describing gender based on an idea (a flower, animal, etc.). I was with my partner when we started on the topic of neopronouns, and neither of us understood them well. I have friends who use them, and thought it was pretty normal, so I said “we don’t really need to understand it, as long as we accept that it’s normal, right?” but my partner disagreed and pointed out that by understanding why people use neopronouns, it helps us better know the experiences of others. We looked it up, and found out that autistic individuals may experience the social idea of ‘gender’ differently, and may liken their feeling of gender to a noun or concept. It’s important to listen to those who have different lived experiences or ideas. Your theoretical “world” ends where you stop perceiving it, but by taking the time to talk with and get to know others your point of view may be greatly expanded.
August 13, 2023 at 5:40 pm
Daniel H
I believe that it is imperative that our nation not be left in the hands of the elderly. I work at an old folks home, so trust me when I say that many of the people there are wonderful, delightful individuals. Believe me also when I say that even the best of the residents are woefully out of touch with the nation as it is today. Even ignoring the worst of the old guard, the proudly ignorant and the openly bigoted, it still makes no sense that we should let those in their sixties and seventies run this country. Time and time again the elderly whom we have elected to nearly every position of power have made wildly unpopular decisions, from overturning Roe v. Wade to the continuous assault on LGBT rights in states such as Florida. Even when they’re not making decisions that the majority of under fifties disagree with, our nation ignores crises which by and large affects people significantly younger than our elected officials. From the economy to mental health, the bourgeoisie whom we have elected are completely disconnected from the average person, giving us twelve hundred dollars to live off for eight months during the height of a global pandemic. As much as I’ve vilified elderly people here, it is imperative to note that I do not believe that they are in some way fundamentally evil, I wouldn’t work with them nearly every day if I did, rather, I believe that we need to recognize an irreconcilable disconnect between the world today and those who grew up in the world of fifty, sixty years ago. The world simply isn’t what it used to be and we cannot let people who don’t recognize that hold power over us.
August 13, 2023 at 6:52 pm
Some people in the world have the audacity to believe in racism still doesn’t exist to this very day. Although racism is not as brutish and perceptible as it was a couple of decades ago, it is still very much alive. When people hear the word racism they usually go straight to thinking of white on black verbal and physical altercations. It’s not only black people who receive these treatments but minorities alike. Any and every minority receives some form of racism from everyday street vendors to accomplished businessmen and women. As minorities we push each other apart but should really be yearning for unity as one and fight against this one common problem… racism. We are all born equal but why should I feel the hateful gazes of others for being in my skin. Am I wrong for being this skin color? Am I wrong for being born the way I am? Am I wrong for my ancestry? No, I am not. I shouldn’t be kicked in the legs while getting called a slur for just standing on the bus. I shouldn’t be looked at differently for the melanin in my skin. It just isn’t right and African Americans are not the only ones going through this. It’s an ever-ending cycle that doesn’t stop mostly because some people just have hate and prejudice towards others for simply being darker than them. Even your friends who you are close with can be hiding it behind “jokes”, but you never know what their true intention is. Be careful of who you associate yourself with!
August 28, 2023 at 4:57 pm
A delightful read. I do agree that it is most paramount to recognize that racism is not exclusively black verses white and that the most dangerous bigots are not the brutes, but rather those who appear amicable at first glance.
August 13, 2023 at 7:20 pm
It has always been like this. just because we look like this, why are we less. Different Races and identities have been saying this for years but it seems like it goes through one ear and out through the other. A walk to the store in the middle of the night because we are Hungry should not be that hard. Windows down with loud music is not illegal. The pandemic took a toll on a lot of us. It effected us financially and emotionally. But what did not help was the rise of Racism including the death of George Floyd and the Asian hate. Everyday, we saw someone with an Asian descent get abused, crucially hurt and even killed. We saw Police officers taking advantage of their power and Killing African Americans. This caused unnecessary riots and looting. But one thing I will always stand for is how some of as a country were able to come together and PEACEFULLY protest and only hope for a change. Those people that took time out of their day cared. those people who took this as a chance to steal for their own good are ignorant and those are the people that also need to change. Racial and Sexual discrimination is horrible and the last thing I wish upon someone is that they have to go through this. It sucks and is horrible. My names Meba Ketema and all I want is for the world to be welcoming of anyone and work together to make our surroundings peaceful and better. I want the College I am about to attend to also work together as a unit to stop discriminating and make this community that we will be in for a lot of the years coming, a way better place and comfortable place to be at.
August 14, 2023 at 3:03 am
Emily T
As an Asian American I believe in equality. However I feel that the fight for equality will always be a never ending uphill battle. I grew up in Delaware, Ohio where racism was normalized. It wouldn’t be abnormal to hear racial slurs in the halls at school. More often than not following that more would come laughter and a plethora of more slurs. Sometimes they would be directed at someone but most of the time it would be kids saying them to seem “cool” around their friends. I would even hear parents saying racially insensitive comments. Not only are these kids hearing their peers saying slurs at school but they are also probably hearing them at home too which only adds fuel to the fire. Kids hearing their parents say racially discriminatory comments will make them think that it is okay. Kids look up to their parents and more often than not want to be like them. Since the older generations were raised that being racist is okay they are now raising children who will think these comments are acceptable. Although some have broken this cycle most refuse to stop their behaviors.
My junior year of high school I moved to Massachusetts. When I moved I believed that all racism would be eradicated because Massachusetts is a blue state whereas Ohio is a swing state. But I couldn’t be further from the truth. If anything I think it may have gotten worse in Massachusetts. It seemed that there were racial slurs being thrown left and right. Being from a predominantly white area in both Massachusetts and Ohio I think younger generations have been desensitized to the meaning of slurs. This is why I feel equality will always be a never ending battle. Not everyone will understand the damaging nature of slurs. There will always be a parental figure teaching children that it is okay to be saying slurs, and no matter where you are there will always be places where racism is predominant.
August 14, 2023 at 2:49 pm
Ava d.
Since I was a little girl, I have wanted to be a lawyer. I wanted my words to mean something when I spoke them and I wanted my voice to be powerful and persuasive, fighting for what I believe in: justice and equality for everyone. When I attended Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, I decided to choose the Legal and Protective Services Shop to further my education in the field that I knew was destined for me. I never thought that anything could influence me to want to be a lawyer even more than I already did, but the resources and lessons that my teachers provided me with made me certain that I was going to be a lawyer.
I learned about cases like the Central Park Five, in which five teenagers were imprisoned for the rape and assault of a jogger in Central Park that they did not commit, and the Steven Avery case, in which the government planted evidence against Avery to get him convicted of a murder. I was then taught about the Innocence Project, which is a nonprofit organization with the goal of fighting for innocent people who are in prison. After looking through the Innocence Project website and reading about many more cases that are still trying to be won and the victims that were still fighting, a fire started inside me. I felt angry and sad that I couldn’t reverse time, fight for those victims, prevent them from serving time in jail and being unfairly stripped of their freedom.
After learning about so much inequality and so many instances where justice was ripped away from citizens by their government, I made the decision to become a Constitutional lawyer. I want to be a Constitutional lawyer so that I can fight for justice and for every citizen that believes they have been mistreated. I want to fight for the rights of the people.
August 14, 2023 at 8:31 pm
Lucy S
On January 29th, 2023, a young man was murdered eight minutes away from my church. Officers found him dead with several gunshot wounds in the neighborhood of 119 Babson St. His name was Tyler Lawrence, he was 13 years old and be it by fate or by coincidence the both of us used to live In Norwood. It was so shocking to see how much Tyler and I had in common. It was already saddening to read about the shooting when I didn’t have the details on who Tyler was, but now that I know his name and where he’s from, it all just seems so much more real. Something more than just text in an article but an actual murder. Non Fiction. According to the police, the incident happened at about 11:30 a.m. Staff from Boston Emergency Medical Services arrived on the scene as soon as possible after receiving the call about gunshots and the body, but unfortunately, Tyler passed away from his wounds before he could have been taken to the hospital. The only “good thing” to come of this is that his murderer; Csean Skerritt, has been arrested, is being held without bail, and will hopefully be in jail for the rest of his natural life. Nobody wants to wake up on a Sunday morning to a dead body in their driveway. I was in church the morning of the shooting; a small building that was turned into a place of worship by my congregation around 6 years ago. Even though I’m not really a religious person, I can’t help but think of the church as my second home. My mom’s a deaconess, my sisters are choristers, my stepfather a presiding pastor, and me; an instrumentalist in the church’s band, playing hymns on the piano every Sunday from the time I was able. I was never naive to the state of the neighborhood our church sat in the middle of. I couldn’t help but feel nervous when strangers from the street would come in during service and sit in the back pews. I could never tell if they were looking to be saved from damnation and repent for past sins or if they were simply hungry and looking for a free handout. Perhaps some were just trying to escape the cold weather. The church seemed to be the one place untouched by the danger of that neighborhood, up until my sister told me about the shooting on Babson street. Our church is at the top of Norfolk street; eight minutes from Babson. Eight minutes away from the place where me and all my loved ones were listening to the sermon of our pastor, Tyler Lawrence was being murdered; shot down in a driveway that I’m not sure was even his. It’s still hard to believe that I was that close to it all, and yet I had no idea that it even happened until I was at home and my sister forwarded me the article. I don’t even remember seeing the police cars.
August 14, 2023 at 10:51 pm
Imagine a reality where you damaged your spinal cord, and you will never walk again. Your legs can’t move, you are stuck, everything from the waist down goes numb. What do you do? Is it a burden? Have your plans been ruined? Sure there are ramps, and elevators, but what if your only way from point a to point b requires you to take the stairs. You may think that the odds of something like this are rare but that’s far from the truth. All people have wants and needs, many can be achieved, but some are only possible for people whose lives are all set, and denying that shows nothing but pure ignorance. I don’t believe in a bright future for everyone on earth because there’s never been a single day where everyone had a good life, but I know we can get close. I don’t believe that all problems are fixable, even if there was a solution to everything, that doesn’t mean everyone has access to those solutions, but we can still make our lives better. What I believe in is a world that’s missing something which separates us all, opportunities. We need a world where money doesn’t decide your success, where disabilities aren’t limitations, and where dreams become achievable. Right now our society doesn’t allow such things to happen, but I believe our generation has the power to push closer to these goals. I was not born as a normal kid, I have autism, ADHD, seizures, and severe anxiety. Less than a century ago, people like me were discriminated against, but now the world knows that we are just as normal as any other person my age, with the same future ahead of us.
August 14, 2023 at 11:58 pm
Jazmin O
As a lesbian, I would never refer to myself as one. When people ask me, “What is your sexuality” I never say, “I’m a lesbian” I always say “I’m gay”. Sometimes people look at me like I don’t know my sexual preference. I mostly get the question “Are you a stud or masc”. Well, technically I never thought of labeling myself I always just referred to myself as “Jazmin”. I don’t believe clothing preference has to do with my sexual Orientation. I believe that’s what’s wrong with society clothing brands make people believe clothes have a gender. When a boy wears a pink shirt he’s gay if a girl wears a blue shirt she’s a lesbian.
People cannot label animated objects to signify a gender or sexual orientation. Growing up my mother called me “Jason” because of how I dressed. She assumed I wanted to be a boy because of the clothes I wore; which later on in life had me questioning my gender. When I reached the age of 15 in 2019, I got a taper and lineup. People automatically started to assume I was a boy and addressed me as “he/him”. People look at me weirdly when I walk into a female bathroom because of the way I dress; which makes me feel uncomfortable because I feel like I don’t belong. Little kids mostly around the ages of seven and ten assume I am a boy and would ask me questions like “Are you a boy?” Or “Do you want to be a boy?”. All I could really do is laugh it off and smile. Believing that clothes or the way people present themselves signifies their sexuality or gender is having a closed-minded mindset. Since the 1940s LGBTQ+ community has been trying to express themselves freely. After the Stonewall riots “drag” become very popular throughout the country which gave people part of the LGBTQ+ community to express themselves how they wanted to. However, homophobia was still a high concern during this time which made people feel ashamed of being in the LGBTQ+ community. As generations went on being gay became easier to express because generations started to adapt and realize society needs to let people be who they are; whether they are a man wearing a skirt or a woman wearing a tie. In 2010 and 2015 gay marriage was passed and gay people were free to get married legally considering it was illegal in the past. A year later after gay marriage became legal a gay bar in Orlando was shot up many believe it was chosen randomly and many believe it was history repeating itself.
For me considering growing up in a Caribbean household the topic of being gay was never easy to bring up. Caribbean people are mostly very religious and have strong beliefs so it is hard once they grow up they will let go of what they have been taught, but it is not always. My mother’s side of the family is Trinidadian and Catholic, so telling my mother that I was gay was always something that scared me. My mother didn’t like me dressing like a “boy” because it wasn’t my gender. I’ve always felt uncomfortable in dresses and skirts, but I wore them to make her happy. When the pandemic hit I came out to my mother and she wasn’t really on board with it, but after talking and telling her how I felt about the clothes she made me wear she let me be comfortable in the clothes I liked. I explained to her just because society labels them as “boy’ clothes you can’t put a gender on clothes and you can’t base sexuality on clothes and preferences to styles. This is why I believe the clothes you wear, the hairstyle you wear, the way you carry yourself, ect does not define your sexuality or gender be who you are proudly, and don’t let ignorant close-minded people tell you what you are based on presence or preference. Society shouldn’t make people apart of LGBTQ+ community or people who just want to be themselves because they like something feel uncomfortable to freely express themselves.
September 2, 2023 at 4:21 am
I like your post, and I have a connection to what you said. I also grew up in a Trinidadian household, and I think that clothes, jewelry, and hairstyles are a way for someone to express themselves. As a lesbian myself, I don’t like how society puts labels on clothing, it makes it hard for others to express themselves. I feel like we should let people be themselves and live in a world that is peaceful and free, without having to be worried about labels.
August 15, 2023 at 12:46 am
I believe in everyone being able to redeem themselves. Everyone makes mistakes big or small and people never believe in themselves to earn themselves back. It does not matter how many mistakes you make; you can redeem yourself and complete whatever goal you set. They never want to give people a second chance to redeem themselves and expect them to be changed by trying to force it onto them. If you give people, the chance to change themselves I believe people will take the chance and will change for the good of themselves. There is a good number of people who wouldn’t capitalize on it but that does not mean that they cannot change for the good of themselves. Certain people do not deserve the opportunity to be given a second chance but some people who have been punished for a long time should be given a second chance at redemption if they have proven that they deserve it, and the system and people never give them those chances to do so. I believe in the good of people who must suffer on the outside because loved ones who made a mistake in the past are not given the chance to prove that they have or will change for the benefit of themselves or the others around them. I do not believe that people who have committed terrible crimes will change but people who have served a long time for a crime they did as a young adult or still as a teen should be given a chance to prove that they have matured and changed and they will continue to improve in life and show why they deserved that second chance.
August 15, 2023 at 2:03 am
Serena S
Some believe that the gap between men and women has become smaller as time goes on but unfortunately my experience doesn’t follow suit. The most clear-cut example of sexism I’ve experienced is at work. I work as a cashier at a gas station/repair shop and one of my responsibilities is to help direct the flow of customers. Many times I’ve watched a male customer see me standing at the register inside and chose to walk past the sign that reads “no customers allowed in the work space” and into the garage to speak to a male mechanic that gives them the exact same information I would have. They would rather interrupt the mechanic working with dangerous materials rather than go through the person whose job it is to help customers. There have also been many occasions where the customer comes inside and immediately asks for a mechanic rather than telling me what they need as if I couldn’t possibly help and it’s usually something simple that I very much so could help with. The blatant disregard of my presence is most apparent when the new male cashier (who I’m training) is at the register with me and the customers will come inside and talk to him first. No customer skips him and goes straight to the mechanic because they see that he’s a man and automatically think that he can help them. On the other hand, they see me and think that I’m not someone who could do anything remotely useful for them. These experiences magnified my belief that equality needs to be fought for. Women deserve to be treated the same as their male counterparts.
August 15, 2023 at 5:55 pm
Have you ever been in school or out in public and feel people’s eyes on you?, Because I have. Growing up as a Puerto Rican girl in a white family you are prone to have eyes glued to you as if you have three heads. As I grew older and grew more aware of people looking at my family and I in the super market or in the movies, I realized that it was a questionable look these strangers gave my family and I. Through the years of elementary school I was bullied for having hair on my arms and hair on my legs, I would try to brush it off but I would always go home hating my complexion. Not until a few years later I learned about slavery and all of the cruelty the slaves had to go through for the life that they wanted to have, it was in that moment I realized how fortunate I was to be able to go to school and to be able to live in a country where I am free to be me. As the years went on and I reached somewhere around 7th grade I was growing more in depth with the knowledge of freedom and diversity and what it really means. Google’s definition of diversity is “ The practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethics backgrounds and of different genders, and sexual orientation” Not only did I have difficulty pursuing my race as a child, constantly having to defend myself against the “white wash” comments and teachers and people I would speak to looking at me with concerned looks when I was unable to respond to them in Spanish, assuming that should and would be my first language. Diversity is one of my strongest beliefs, there is no need to discriminate against people especially because there lives are not effecting anyone and they are happy.
August 21, 2023 at 6:18 pm
Thank you for sharing your experiences. Diversity is essential!
August 16, 2023 at 12:07 am
Justin M
How does polarization harm our society?
In this ever-changing world, shifts in how we see others, societal norms, and trends shape our lives for better or worse. Yet, amidst this change, a troublesome rift emerges, causing problems from division. In our current society, differing opinions often face negativity due to a lack of understanding. Constant disagreement hinders finding common ground, pushing further polarization as people isolate with like-minded individuals, narrowing their view. This scarcity of diverse views limits our ability to make informed decisions which only causes further division.
To flourish in a diverse world, we must encourage varied perspectives, the mix of views can spark fresh ideas to tackle challenges. It’s crucial to grasp that progress often springs from differing opinions. By truly hearing each other, we can mend these divisions and create understanding. In our age of echo chambers and social media, it’s pivotal to actively seek differing voices from a variety of sources. Engaging with those holding opposing beliefs teaches us more about common beliefs we share with them, aiding our growth. This pursuit of dialogue sustains a healthy democracy, where cooperation shapes a better society.
Remember, unity isn’t uniformity, and you don’t have to abandon your core values to find common ground with others, open and respectful conversations weave a stronger social fabric. By valuing diverse opinions, we break free from polarization’s grip, opening doors to a richer, more inclusive future. To navigate a world in flux, we must listen and find similarities in our views, allowing the blossoming of diverse thoughts, essential for progress.
August 16, 2023 at 12:31 am
Olivia M.
I believe in God. I am a Catholic and there are many controversies and arguments in the church. Regardless of everyone’s beliefs and ways of living, I believe that everyone should be treated equally. There is no one person, race, religion, shape, size, mentality, class that should be seen as better than others. I believe that even when one’s beliefs and thoughts differ from others there should be no violence about it. I have had many conversations with my friends who are atheist or agnostic about God and have not fought over anything, we don’t raise our voices or scoff even when we have a difference. I speak to my friends about politics, our stances on politicians, political parties, abortions, BLM, left wing extremists, right wing extremists, oppression on women, men’s mental health, feminism, toxic masculinity, toxic women, the state of our world, the state of other countries, and the state of our country. Though our definitions of a perfect world differs, we are able to speak to each other calmly and listen to each others opinions without fighting, though there are, of course, counterarguments made and questions asked, nothing is done maliciously. We have a conversation that is considered a safe space to ask questions and not have to worry about violence or verbal confrontation. I believe that that should be something universal. I believe that people’s thoughts and opinions should not cause violence and that everyone should be equal period, No Matter What.
September 6, 2023 at 5:08 pm
I really like your view on treating people equally no matter what their stances on the world are. It sounds like the reactions that you and your friends have whenever there’s differences in worldview are pretty mature. Having counterarguments and questions in response are also a good way to keep a conversation going and allows for people to open up to new ideas and think for themselves of whether or not they agree.
August 16, 2023 at 1:27 am
Nelleah M
When I was younger, I saw the world being good. Everyone was treated equally, but I was young and naive to believe it. As I grew older, my beliefs changed, and my eyes opened up that nothing had changed. Women are still fighting for their rights and trying to get through the glass ceiling. Minority trying for their rights and living in a world that doesn’t discriminate against them. The LGBTQ community is fighting to have a better and more peaceful future. See that the world is going backward, and the upcoming generations will still live in a world of hate, violence, discrimination, and injustice. The cycle of hatred will continue if we don’t put a stop to it. People would say to think of the kids and the future generations, but no one is thinking of the kids or the future generations because of the constant fear in the world. People should want to live in a world where they shouldn’t be scared of going outside because of the color of their skin or their sexual orientation. People should have the right to feel free and live in a peaceful world where they can be free to be themselves without fear and the cycle of hatred. We have the tools to stop this continuous cycle of hate, violence, and discrimination. We have the power now to change the world so we can have a better life in the future. But it doesn’t take one person to stop this cycle, it takes a whole community to end this cycle of hatred, violence, and discrimination.
August 16, 2023 at 2:13 am
Mental illness and its symptoms have long been stigmatized. From birth, physical health is considered to be of the utmost importance and treated accordingly. When it comes to mental health, it is a different story. Acceptance of therapy and mental health awareness has only recently gained prominence in our culture, but it is still nowhere near being given the same importance as physical health. Attitudes towards mental illness continue to be incredibly old fashioned, with some people outright denying its existence. It is one of my core beliefs that everyone deserves mental health support, and that mental health should be given the same value as physical health. My goal as a psychology major is to provide support to those struggling with mental health issues that they might otherwise not receive. In a culture where suffering in silence is deemed noble and respectable, expressing your emotions openly can be seen as a sign of weakness, especially when there are still people who will try and put all the responsibility on the shoulders of someone who is already struggling. It can be difficult to seek therapy without judgement from others when our society does not adequately support the mentally ill. One of the most important things a person can do for themselves while they are suffering is to recognize that they need help and seek it out. I truly believe that making sure that help is out there for those who need it is extremely important to our society as a whole. I understand how important it is to have support when it comes to mental health, and I believe that as a society we need to do more to help those who seek it and help those who need it to feel comfortable and supported as they look for it.
August 16, 2023 at 3:58 am
-Of the panopoly of mechanisms through whose conveniences and complexities individuals negotiate within the domain of defining the veins of morality the presence of repetition as well as emulation is irrefutable. Rought from a foundation of biases inherent to the perspectives of humanity as a species motifs of bias establish a homogeneity of constitution which swiftly accumulate through an amalgamation of anthropological conflicts. Contradiction suffused influences upon the cultivation of cultures which nurture the inhibited proliferation of atavistic divisions ceaselessly confounding the capacity for ethical consensus through the inherent tribalistic segregation this inevitably elicits.
Accordingly a majority of the prior contributions to this immediate discussion have sought to engage with symptoms of this division, this rudiment of human behavior as well as the situational catalysts which inspire associated anecdotes, aspects of experience which whilst doubtlessly possessed of an appreciation for historical nuances of those particular situations and feasibly the adjacent reservoirs of intrigue applicable to the affairs cultural interaction is nevertheless sufficient to negotiate with the existence of moral conflict as one of collective pertinence, a legacy of ideological inheritance fraught with manipulations which transcend national borders, disregard convenient omissions, as well as exceed the anticipated repercussion of this equation of ethical coding so as to render the pursuit of knowledge regarding this civilizational affair, presumably from the altruistic perspective of endeavouring to subvert those perceived atrocities, one which necessitates a daunting capacity for labour and fundamentally a capacity for adaptation.
A fostered faculty for tolerance as the sacrifices which identifying the atavistic limitations the acquisition of liberation requires of an individual may unbiased culminate within the first foundational principle, that the majority of those perceived as undoubtlessly within the right have infact surrendered to the subtle slaveries which facilitate these abominable affairs.
August 24, 2023 at 6:48 pm
Equal Job Opportunities: Fostering Fairness and Prosperity
Think of a time when you believed you did so well in an Interview and you didn’t land the job, was it you? Was it something you said? Was it the way you were dressed? Well… In the fast-paced modern world, ensuring fairness, inclusivity, and overall societal progress requires the provision of equal job opportunities. The significance of equal job opportunities and the benefits it brings to individuals, organizations, and society as a whole is explored in this essay. Furthermore, the importance of implementing effective policies and overcoming barriers to achieve equitable access to employment is emphasized. Advocating for equal job opportunities can lead to a society where talent and potential are highly valued, resulting in harmoniousness and prosperity.
The issue of racial disparities in employment is intricate and diverse, with various factors contributing to different job outcomes among racial groups. Sensitivity is crucial when approaching this issue, acknowledging that individual experiences can greatly differ. Research indicates that systemic factors such as historical patterns of discrimination, unconscious biases, and unequal access to education and opportunities play a role in employment disparities. To address these challenges, a comprehensive approach that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of society is necessary.
To Summarize what I have written, it is anticipated that a change will be made to emphasize the multifaceted nature of equal job opportunities and underscore the inherent benefits for individuals, organizations, and society in general. Successful initiatives will be analyzed, and the obstacles associated with achieving workplace equality will be tackled. Together, we can pave the way toward a future where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed and contribute to the improvement of society. Let us strive together for a fairer and more prosperous world through equal job opportunities.
August 28, 2023 at 10:54 pm
Equality and justice are core values that hold significance for marginalized communities.
Equality: It signifies the belief that every individual, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristic, should be entitled to the same rights, opportunities, and fair treatment as everyone. Equal Rights: This ensures they enjoy the same civil rights as the majority. It guarantees that minority voices are acknowledged and considered during decision-making processes. Equal Treatment: It implies just treatment from law enforcement agencies, criminal justice systems, and public services. This encompasses protection against profiling, harassment, and prejudice. Justice: Justice revolves around principles of fairness, accountability, and unbiased application of the law.Police Reform. Enacting changes in policing practices to eradicate profiling, excessive use of force, and other forms of discrimination. Economic Justice: Ensuring minority communities have access to opportunities, affordable housing options, and social services to bridge disparities.
Environmental Justice: Addressing pollution and resource allocation issues disproportionately impacting marginalized communities.