Black, white, orange, blue, purple, red. All of these are just colors on the color wheel. No color is quite the same, but not a single color is better than another. Throughout history, people have discriminated against others based on the color of their skin. Why do we let history repeat itself? For years African Americans have not been given the same equal rights as White Americans. In my opinion, that is absurd and disgusting.

As an American citizen, everyone has all rights documented either in the United States Constitution or the Bill of Rights. So why is everyone not getting the same treatment? Today, society seems to look at what is on the outside and not the inside. As human beings, we all have a heart, lungs, eyes, and ears, but most importantly, a brain and feelings.

Some questions to ask yourself, if you are someone who is racist, would be:

What makes me having lighter skin better than anyone else?

How does the color of their skin affect me or what I do?

Why shouldn’t they be given the same opportunities I have?

Should I be looking down on this person because of the color of their skin?

On a personal note, I have a little cousin who was adopted this summer and he is African American. As my whole family is white, this does not change a single thing or affect the love and opportunities that we continue to give and will give to him throughout his  life. The heartbreak of it all is that as he gets older, we have to tell him that he could be at risk. Officers pulling him over and suspecting that he has committed a crime just because of his skin color, peers at school making fun of him because of his skin color, and telling him that he might not be offered the same job opportunities or be able to go to similar functions because of his skin color. Is this what the world has come to? Is this what America has come to?

As a young white woman in America I could never, and would never, be able to compare my life to what African Americans and people of other ethnicities go through. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t help, listen, and try to understand. Go to Black Lives Matter protests, donate to campaigns, ask them how you can help in any and every way possible. We are one United States of America, one society, and one world. Do not let unpopular opinions interfere with your beliefs and purpose for doing what is truly right.