In terms of races, America once appeared on the path of unimaginable unity. This period, as per recent reports, is coming to its apparent end.
To show this deeper division, think about an opinion piece published at the University of California, Los Angeles.
The piece was written by students Samone Anderson and Gene McAdoo. The piece focuses on segregated spaces because of the unique demands of black students.
Skin-based separation was a stumbling block to Martin Luther King's vision. But think about it:
Many feel that Black student's desire for a space that is designed to meet our specific needs is a stark contrast to the idea of celebrating multiculturalism and the richness of diversity. “Isn't that the opposite of what Dr. King fought for?” Some might think. For the non-critical, the idea of creating spaces that are for a particular class of students could appear as a sign that we're making an unintentional retreat from the supposed progress in racial equity which has occurred in the wake of the civil rights movement.
Does an important LA school have a huge hatred of people with darker skin? The authors claim that it's “pervasive”:
The pervasiveness of anti-Blackness within Black students' college experiences is a source of unique difficulties for Black students, and creates an atmosphere of racism on campus which Black students cannot escape from the constant dehumanization of their experiences and the naivety of their struggles.
Thus, they must be targeted in the direction of segregation. A recent referendum has hit the mark:
[U]CLA needs to ensure that [U]CLA provides Black students with a specific support to ensure we are kept in the classroom and are able to graduate at a similar rate to those of our counterparts. The establishment and continuing support for the Black Bruin Resource Center (BBRC) by a “yes” vote on Education, Access and Retention, Now! Referendum is a step towards achieving this objective.
Superior segregation can “disrupt” racism:
The funds generated through the EARN! Referendums which have been earmarked for a greater amount of financial assistance to the BBRC could be a concrete method of reducing the anti-Blackness that exists within Black Bruins' collegiate experiences. The stigma of anti-Blackness is…reflected by society's inability to and unwillingness to appreciate the dignity of people who identify as Black.
Segregation is the only way to reconfigure racism.
The anti-Blackness that characterized the educational experience of Black children prior to federal desegregation been reformed to fit an entirely new system of racial discrimination that has shifted from open discrimination to subtle discrimination based on color.
Samone and Gene are vocal about microaggressions — like getting asked “Do you go here?” Or “Which sport do you play?” Black students,they claim, are considered “as undeserving because they are seen as ‘unqualified' by virtue of their Blackness.”
For the supposed danger of colorblindness, it's certain to be decreasing:
“School District Apologizes to Include White Students in Support Circles' after Chauvin Verdict”
“Another university offers Racially Segregated Graduation”
“Students laud Cornell's Rock Climbing Course Designed for Non-whites”
“College Op-Ed: College Students Ask whether White people should be kicked out of events”
Samone and Gene aren't the only ones in their struggle against black oppression:
“College Symposium Slams the Anti-Black racism of “Good” Grammar”
“American University Creates Black-Only Version of the Course Required for ‘Anti-Blackness'”
“Professor suggests ‘Reregulation' to Help White People End Their Racist Violence”
If UCLA isn't able to meet their requirements there are other schools that could:
“NYU Student Group Petitions for Housing for Black Students So they Feel ‘Participated'”
Another university commission is also a race-specific housing authority.
Based on the research, black-only spaces are crucial:
Although the establishment of the BBRC isn't the long-awaited solution for ending the discrimination against Blacks at UCLA, its continuing support is a clear way to alleviate the pain of Black students at UCLA by offering us an environment that is pro-Black as well as providing an centralized space to allow Black students to find the community and resources on campus that are essential for retention.
Will segregation solve racism? If so, it's an amazing achievement.
The world of America has changed dramatically in the last few years. 1985 was the first time America was awash in “We Are the World.” Today, it appears that we're a variety of worldsall governed by a group's identity.
