As January 20, 2009 rolled around, America wanted to put its racist past behind and "change." Thousands filled Washington D.C. to see the historic day of when our first Black President, Barack Obama, gave his inaugural address. Many optimistic Americans believed the hate was over and we would be accepting of all races and cultures. But, in Paris,Texas, the racial tension and oppression is still there.
In December 2008, a black man was "dragged... beneath a pickup truck until his body was nearly dismembered" by two white men. Police claim it was not a hate crime,but Jacqueline McClelland, the mother of the man killed, said, "Any crime that is done the way my son was done, I think hate played a part in it." Clearly, the white men were agents and oppressing the black man. It is horrible to see such racism in a country were we are pushing for racial equality. In the article from the Chicago tribune, there is a video clip that shows Jacqueline McClelland and others from Paris, Texas, talking about the situation. In this clip, you can tell that the African Americans are the agents but are they are using their power to help better their town and stop the racial hate crimes.
When given power, you have the opportunity to abuse it or use it for good. At this meeting, the agents are using their power to do good. When you are given power, how do you use it?
In December 2008, a black man was "dragged... beneath a pickup truck until his body was nearly dismembered" by two white men. Police claim it was not a hate crime,but Jacqueline McClelland, the mother of the man killed, said, "Any crime that is done the way my son was done, I think hate played a part in it." Clearly, the white men were agents and oppressing the black man. It is horrible to see such racism in a country were we are pushing for racial equality. In the article from the Chicago tribune, there is a video clip that shows Jacqueline McClelland and others from Paris, Texas, talking about the situation. In this clip, you can tell that the African Americans are the agents but are they are using their power to help better their town and stop the racial hate crimes.
When given power, you have the opportunity to abuse it or use it for good. At this meeting, the agents are using their power to do good. When you are given power, how do you use it?
No comments:
Post a Comment