When the Constitution was read recently on the floor of the House of Representatives, the parts on slavery were left out by its readers, who have so prided themselves on their loyalty to our founding documents.The racial fall out that followed this reading was even more interesting to watch with panels of uncomfortable anchors and panelists trying to comment on the issue.
The point here is not exactly that the issue of race is as easy to discuss as American Idol, but that it should be less difficult than getting a 5 year-old to eat their broccoli, especially when the issue is brought to a national platform.
The harsh reality is that when the constitution was being drafted, someone like me—a black individual in the United States (and in many other places mind you)—would have been considered as 3/5 of a person.
For a considerable portion of our nation’s history, this was true. Why not face it and be happy that this is not our current reality? By reading some history books, one might think that slavery was merely an inconvenient time for blacks and Native Americans, rather than what it really was. We are watering down literature that only partially reflects reality. Google the new edits of Huckleberry Finn that replace the loaded “n-word” with “slave.”
Acknowledging our unsavory history of racial relations should never be confused for dwelling on the past, as some naive individuals may argue. Where would we be if we forgot the seedy parts of history just so we could feel more comfortable? We would lose a piece of who we are, no matter what race or culture you claim.
Embracing our differences and not letting them affect us in negative ways would be the best move in the right direction. I do not consider myself colorblind, because I love all the colors that paint the rich picture of the world we live in.
I’m glad that everyone is not the same color, for that would take away all the richness that diversity brings us.
There is a difference between not seeing color and seeing color without assuming things about another person because of their color. A person can’t know anything about another person simply based on their color. You don’t know their hopes and dreams or likes and dislikes.
Our history presents a series of mishandlings of racial issues. Even our school has stumbled along the way. So has our nation. It is our job to fix it and to overcome the fear that comes with discussions of race and culture.
We can all learn from each other. Let us not rewrite history to better appease our comfort levels. Discussing race isn’t painful, it’s productive and enriching. Please don’t be afraid to ask questions and discuss something that is all around you.
Nicole Robinson can be reached at nrobinson@spartans.ut.edu
I wasn’t informed about this issue in the government but I totally agree that it is better to recognize our racial differences in this country and embrace them. We are a nation of many kinds of people, which is what makes us great. We are all different which makes us great.
What a well written and honest article. I applaud you.
Discussing race is painful when historical facts are contorted or ignored to suit an agenda or trump debate.
The naked statement that blacks were considered 3/5 a person horribly misses the historical context of the abolitionist reasons behind that compromise between the states.
All this aside, the purpose of the House members reading the constitution on the House floor was to remind them of the current limits of their powers.