“Previously, I lived in Barbados, where 96 percent of the population is black and the minority is white, and because I am white, I was judged by my skin color, so I know the feeling of being judged by people who are prejudiced.”
… from Alisha Erozer, second place winner in the Martin Luther King middle school essay contest, Bradenton, Florida
Be Gentle, Friends – Because Alisha Erozer Will Probably Read Your Comments
Dear Alisha,
Each of the staff at Barbados Free Press read your Martin Luther King essay and we congratulate you on winning second place. You have a talent for writing and we hope you continue. We suspect that as you progress in your life, your ability to inspire others with words will become central in whatever you do.
We’re sorry that the time you lived in Barbados was touched by racism, but trust us on this – as a family that has all the colours of the rainbow at the dinner table – we understand. We have two observations that we gently mention because 1/ we don’t want you to take offense, and 2/ we want you to reconsider some of the thoughts we see in your winning essay.
First, we’d like you to reconsider your position that Barack Obama’s election as President is proof that racism has been eliminated and there is now equal opportunity for all in the United States. Yes, things have improved greatly, but all of us have a long way to go before anyone can say the battle is won.
Secondly, we are sorry that some (or many?) of the folks you met on Barbados treated you badly because of your race, but we hope it wasn’t everyone. There are many folks on this island who follow the old ways and are still burdened by hundreds of years of history. We hope you forgive them, and also that you will give Barbados and Bajans another chance when you have the opportunity.
If you want to write to us at Barbados Free Press, we would be happy to publish your letter as another feature article. We wish you all the best.
Yours truly,
Marcus, Shona, Cliverton, Robert, George and Auntie Moses
Is Obama’s election a realization of Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an ardent African-American civil rights leader who deeply longed for a vast change in respect to people of all races. He desired equal rights for all, disregarding race, gender or religion. Dr. King devoted his lifetime, without regard for his own safety, giving sincere effort to put an end to the vile prejudice.
Finally, 40 years after Dr. King’s death, comes the election of Barack Obama as president of our country, which is truly a realization of Dr. King’s dream. It’s a realization of Martin Luther King’s dream because it shows the immense progress we’ve made in recognizing civil rights for everyone; it shows that Americans have been able to see past racial barriers and judge a candidate by character, leadership and beliefs, and it also shows that the election has inspired others to acknowledge that race, gender and religion shouldn’t constrain you from reaching for your dreams.
Yes! I believe, Obama’s election is a realization of Dr. King’s dream because it shows how much progress has been made in the last 50 years. For example, 50 years ago black children went to different schools, lived in different neighborhoods, and drank from different water fountains. Also, people used to think that African-Americans were incapable of completing certain tasks and that they were inferior. Think about it: How crazy is it to judge the intelligence of someone by their skin color? There was even once a law that black people had to give up their bus seats if white people wanted the spot in which they were sitting.
Now, all Americans are given equal opportunities and equal rights. Americans have effectively enforced the idea that all men are created equal. Obama’s election confirms that attitudes have changed to consider black people as intelligent, capable and equal.
In addition, Obama’s election is a realization of Dr. King’s dream because it displays how remarkable it is that many Americans have been able to put race aside and judge a candidate by character, leadership and beliefs.
Previously, I lived in Barbados, where 96 percent of the population is black and the minority is white, and because I am white, I was judged by my skin color, so I know the feeling of being judged by people who are prejudiced.
In Dr. King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech, he states he dreams that his four little children will one day live in a nation where they won’t be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character…
… continue reading Alisha’s second place Martin Luther King essay at the Bradenton Herald Is Obama’s election a realization of Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream?
