Drew Kelly,
Cincinnati, OH
Racism has deeply scarred this nation from even before its founding. It is much less powerful a social force than it once was and will continue to diminish with time. Eventually we will all look at the concept of race as a relic of a time far gone, as ignorant, or as simply incorrect. We will view each other as human beings first, rather than these archaic categories passed down to us. I believe I act out this reality now, and I acknowledge that it may be easier for me to do by being “white”. I have never felt the negative effects of racism (besides being bullied for my extremely white skin color), and so it may be easier for me to recognize that it is a fiction, created by people from a bygone era. For black people that have experienced the pain of racist exclusion, or of overt violence, the effects of racism are very real. To them I say that I hope you don’t let these experiences change you for the worse. That you can continue to treat each new person you meet as an individual, even when others did not extend the same grace and goodwill to you. I ask this of all people, and I know that in time we will look back on our history as if it were a bad dream. One that we all will wake up from together.
The picture is of me and my brother joe hahaha
