Prejudice and Racism †All We Need is Love, All We Got is Hate :: Sociology Racism Prejudice Essays

As the snow covered the house that my grandma occupies, I looked out the window to the neighbor's front door, their mailbox, and the circular driveway they had. It was just another home, where kids could build a snowman or throw snowballs on the front lawn. But there where no children or snowmen here. And beneath the snow, the word "N-I-G-G-E-R" was written in the grass. A family- a home- where they had bothered no one. One night someone decided to take weed killer and burn it in giant letters into their lawn. This is why our nation, the melting pot of many races, needs to confront the problem and deal with what really is in front of us. When I first really thought about this, I thought, this is not Mississippi, or Alabama; this is Michigan, and it's in my grandma's neighborhood. And the thing is, their a normal family, just like any other. They went on trips in the summer, and spring, and this time came back to a message on the lawn. I sat there that day watching cars go by their house as if it were haunted or something. I guess it can happen anywhere. But this snow-covered house is still a reflection of America, white on top with a hatred burning underneath. I go to a college, where the races meet every day. Colored man helps white man; white man helps colored man. Doesn't sound right ? That's how bad our society has gotten. Disturbing? Of course. But what is more disturbing is, lately when these issues of racism have come up, there seems to be impatience and annoyance. "Does everything have to be racism?" people ask. And they're always complaining that "It's just a little thing." No, it's not. People are always saying that there is little prejudice. But how is that true ? It's like saying you're a little pregnant; can't happen. But this is nothing new. How many times have you heard "He's fast; for a white guy." Or "White men can't jump," Or "All black guys can jump and dance." And in reality these are all hateful things to say. As whites, we are the majority, and don't always realize it. And whenever there's racist complaints, we say "OK, we'll change" with a sigh. It's the white's who go crazy to get black athlete's autographs. They say "We love you!" yet how many would let them date your daughter? Although I say this, I do believe that some progress has been made. But I do think that when you're the majority, you do have to guard against