In my lifetime, I have seen many changes. In looking back, we have come a long ways, but still have a long ways to go. It has taken all kinds of people to put together this great nation of ours. African Americans were brought to this country against their will just to sacrifice their lives for the comfort of others. Hispanics have worked hard with little gain just to be pushed out in the end and having to start all over again somewhere else as outsiders because of greed. It has taken the effort of all groups of people to make our powerful country what it is today. It has been through the strengths and great sacrifices of our people that brought about the uniqueness and strength of our great country. The goal to make this country great has been met, but no goal to make our people equal has been set. The time is now to set this great goal and work in unity to meet it. We have seen this work in the past, where people were made to work for little or no pay and the outcome has benefited many. It has always been a joint effort that has given us the benefits we enjoy today. Why not work together for the purpose of changing the status of people that deserve a chance in life as others have had because of our sacrifices. Our efforts have brought about many positive changes. In comparing how it was and where we are today, we have become complacent. The time is still to come when we will have common opportunities to succeed in life. Every group of people has is strengths and weakness. As a result many great contributions have transpired in the areas of music, sports, politics, among others. It is this great passion in our people that still lacks the freedom to truly express the feelings and abilities kept within. It is a new day and the opportunity is here but only as a joint effort will it have the potency needed to allow these freedoms to express such abilities. Time and time again, it has been proven that our struggles are similar. Within our own races we are destroying each other. Many times we blame other races for our inability to succeed but how is that possible when statistics prove over and over the destruction within our own kind. Mexicans killing Mexicans, blacks killing blacks, there is no need to point the finger to someone else when a big portion of our problems come from within. The first step in bringing about change has to start within each individual. Our mindset has to be one that accepts people for who they are. Every individual has his own uniqueness as well as many similarities. Expecting people to be a certain way has brought about discrimination. It is the uniqueness in people that we have to learn to respect in each other. Accepting each person as an individual is the beginning of true freedom. We have to get out of the state of inter group destruction before we can get the respect and support of others outside our group. Once this has been accomplished success is sure to follow. It is hypocritical to expect others to do for us if we ourselves cannot do for our own people. The fact that we are destroying our own shows a negative image to other races that are expected to do for us. Realistically only if you have walked in our shoes is there a true understanding of how difficult it is to succeed. Every generation is a repeat of the past and it is only through education and a joint effort that this cycle can be broken to bring about this drastic change. It has been through my own personal experience that I understand the importance of unity in our races. It took a Hispanic counselor to get me to continue my education. Thinking I was doing better than what my parents had done, I became complacent, satisfied with myself in where I was in comparison to my parents. My dreams to go to school and become a teacher changed. The reality that I had to work in order to survive slapped me in the face the day I graduated. This counselor knew information I didn’t know and walked me through the steps of applying for financial aid. This was obviously the only way I would be able to go to school as it was for many other minorities. The dedication of this individual changed the outcome of our lives. Ignorance will continue until someone with experience opens our eyes to another side of the world; a world with opportunities for a better life. No doubt, this ignorance is present today. Unless we join together with our experiences, efforts, sacrifices, and willingness, people will continue to suffer needlessly. People that have not walked in our shoes cannot understand why people still live in poverty producing the climbing crime rates we see in the news daily. Therefore, it is ridiculous to expect them to do for us. We understand and are the only ones that can step in with passion to make a difference for those that don’t know any better. People will believe there own before they believe others. African Americans and Hispanics have been in similar places in history, Understanding why our people are where they are is a road we have traveled and truly understand. It is because of this that we are the best candidates for the job of joining efforts to bring about change for our people. In common we have passion. It is this passion that can bring about strength, dedication, and endurance to our people. Walking them through the steps of success through education and a sincere effort for the betterment of our people is our responsibility. It is senseless to expect anyone else to do for us as a whole. There is strength is numbers and passion in struggles. We have both and are the only ones that can make a difference. The dream that Martin Luther King Jr. had is at our reach and is obtainable if when we join together as one to make this possible for our people.
