Charles Poore
Las Vegas, Nevada
Age: 18
It is imperative in the United States that African Americans and Hispanics, the selected minorities, remain working together; for it is this very diversity that has built such a great civilization and nation state. Diversity is what is needed to maintain the stability and constant and consistent progression of America’s traditions and culture. As we look around the world and see, those who remain one pointed and focused upon one specific group, are always left behind and can not find a decent comfort level in change. The community is strengthened when the diversity and resultant change are embraced instead of casually rejected; and it shall be that very community that determines the future of America, for the minority is rapidly becoming the majority.
There are many organizations and cultural groups geared toward improving either African-Americans or Hispanics alone, it is high time for them to come together and uplift each other. Instead of celebrating “Cinco de Mayo” or solely “Black History Month” there should be a time where each culture is embraced and “Multicultural” is the theme. This alone will give a great foundation for a community that will be everlasting and growing to the United States. Instead of looking out for “each other”, implying those of the same race and ethnic background, each group should make sure everyone has a rite of passage to success, and stop embracing selfish and unimportant vices. The leadership and completion of this task lies in education and awareness. It is not fair that the Hispanics do not know much of Emmett Till, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and likewise it is not fair that African Americans do not know of Caeser Chavez, George Rodriguez, and Tiburcio Vasquez. The education and awareness will be the change required to bring these two communities together, which ultimately will transform America’s political, cultural and communication issues for the better.
These colleges are geared toward a particular minority for the purpose of bringing those individuals into light of their culture. I feel it is necessary for these colleges to support, educate and bring awareness to the past, only so the future can be one that shows support of all races and not only encourages the uprising of one. It is certainly fair to think of these institutions as places where, before the students enter into the workforce and real world, they are trained to care for others, no matter the race or other discriminatory factors, for they have been taught of their past, where their ancestors where treated unjustly. Economically, a good portion of those below and right above the poverty threshold are minorities and so these particular colleges ensure a degree of success for those who seek the education but cannot afford it. It is by the president’s of these types of institution that diversity is given a voice in this American society, for the student is now educated and can gradually, yet persistently make the change in the United States. It is the job of these Historically Black colleges & universities to enable the student to become active in their society and government, via knowledge. If such is lost, then the very diversity I speak of shall become the downfall of the United States, as it won’t be dispersed accordingly; and when something is focused in one area, it never truly understands the rules of progression and change.
