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Where We've Gone Wrong

It is true that for four hundred years, Africans were enslaved; yes, for some hundred years there was a dispute regarding lands later ceded by Mexico; and yes, we did (for instance) inter Japanese citizens in camps during World War II.
What I’m trying to say is that, this is all in the past. We must focus on the future, and the future must start with unity. Too many times we bring about theories and observations that while bringing to light issues regarding the isms also divide us as a society. We should be proud of our differences, yet we should be prouder of our similarities, those of love and friendship, of peace and forgiveness.

They talk about reparations, about balancing the table, and I’m all for making everyone equal, but I’m not for continuing the circle of discrimination and hate. So long as one group is favored over another, be it socially or through affirmative action, there will always be tensions in this country. Instead of putting the emphasis on college, go back to kindergarten and start there; make everyone equal from the start, not right before the finish; we’ve already lost many by then. If anyone alive today is the victim of discrimination and the person doing the discrimination is alive as well, then I agree that they should pay some sort of reparation, be it monetary or penal. But, as neither side of an argument, long since dragged out, long since outdated, are still alive, I see no right of ones descendants to collect money from another’s descendants. We are not our parents or grandparents; we are ourselves with our own values.

With that said, let’s return to unity. For this country to fully work as a nation, we must give everyone an equal opportunity, not better opportunity, to succeed. Regardless of sex, race, creed, orientation, or ability (or of others I’ve forgotten) should we ever divide our citizens. Differences are well and good, but from time to time it would be nice for all of us to celebrate our similarities. Our differences, color, sex, and orientation (etc.) are all trivial in comparison to our similarities. Only when we realize that we are fundamentally the same, will we treat each other equally.

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