The other day, I was watching a movie; it was based on a true
story, Blood Done Signed my Name. It focused
on a black Vietnam vet’s murder, after returning home from war. It showed how some
of the white people in North Carolina oppressed black people; because of
ignorance and a lack of respect for the black race, a man was murdered in cold
blood. The specific prejudice I witnessed was, a black male walked over to two
black females and told them how good they looked. The white male and his wife were
working on a boat; the white female saw the black male talking to the girls.
Although the white male did not see the black females, he assumed that the
black male was talking to his wife. He did not ask any questions; he attempted
to hit the black male with a 2x4. The black male tried to tell the white male
that he was not making any comments towards his wife. When the black male
continued to evade the white male, other white males entered the altercation;
all four of them beat, shot, and killed this black male (war vet).
This is a classic case of prejudice, oppression, and racism; no
one asked any questions; the wife did not stand up for the black male, even
though she knew he was innocent. The black females could have walked out from
behind the building to attest that he was talking to them; instead, they ran
away. Because of hate, racism, pride, and fear, a good man lost his life.
Although this was a movie, it was based on actual events in history. This
incident diminished equity in several ways; the white male assumed he had the
right to fight for his wife without finding out the truth surrounding the
event. The white males assumed that the life of the black male was unimportant.
White people in general thought that they were superior over all individuals.
If the roles were reversed, and the white male said something to a black
female; the black male, would not have been able to say anything to the white
male. This is a double standard; often, white males would take the black males
wife, beat her, love her, and have sex with her, and there was nothing anyone
could do about it. Imagine how helpless the black males and females were,
during a time where they had no say in their lives. Although integration occurred,
I continue to feel that many individuals forget about the rights of others, and
impede on their feelings through microaggression and other prejudices. If there were true equity during the 40’s, 50’s,
60’s, or even now, the black male would have had a chance to talk and defend
himself without repercussions. Even though the black race has made many strides
against inequities, we still face similar situations such as this, all over the
world. An individual, need to understand
that, many black people are no longer afraid to stand up for their rights; we
are moving in a direction that demands respect, equity, and equality.
This incident brought up feelings of hatred and sadness; how could
a person be so jealous and fearful that they need to kill another to prove that
he or she is superior. No one is superior over anyone else, one may have a
different opinion, but that is only an opinion. We are all human, and no one
has the right to kill another, unless it is self-defense. I felt hatred towards
the individuals in this movie, and others who are like them in this world. I
will not tolerate anyone who thinks or acts like the individuals in this movie.
This movie and others like it teaches me never to forget how others have
wronged my family or me. History teaches me never to return to those days to
become a victim of these inequities. This does not only teach black people, but
any race or class of people, not to give in to inequities; we must advocate for
what is right for all.
The way the world
operates would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity. The individuals
who think or behave in this manner would have to change also, to turn this
incident into an opportunity for greater equity. Our thoughts and actions
towards another is the reason why we all fall short of equity and equality. If all
of us would place ourselves in the shoes of another, then maybe, we could
understand how our biases and prejudices affect another. If we continue to act
and think superior, we will continue to oppress others with our bias ways and
actions.
Lah-Lah
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