If the world was blind, how many people would you impress? | Letter

If the world was blind, how many people would you impress? Sometimes I did wish everyone in the world was blind. I know what you all are thinking. “Why in the world would you want everyone to be blind?”

If the world was blind, how many people would you impress? Sometimes I did wish everyone in the world was blind. I know what you all are thinking. “Why in the world would you want everyone to be blind?” Well, I’ll tell you why. If everyone was blind color could not be seen; Appearances would never be judged. Our words, our knowledge our hard work and dedication would be acknowledged in a different way then it is now and it would be the only thing that carried us further in life. The color of our skin should not determine who we are. It’s honestly disgusting and disappointing to me to think that in 2015 (almost 2016) racism in our country is a problem and will continue to be unless we do something about It.

That’s why I am going to not ask, but challenge you instead, to be the change we, not want, but need to see. No one is born hating another person because the color of their skin, or their background, or their religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart more than it’s opposite. As you probably already know I am here to talk about racism and the discrimination we all have seen over the past years against African American citizens and all POC’s (people of color).

I don’t really think I need to address why lowering another person’s value because of their skin color is a problem but for those of you who can’t quite grasp the concept, I’ll tell you why.

Walter Scott an unarmed 50 year old, was shot down and killed. Eric Garner, unarmed and 43 year old was held down in an illegal chokehold for 15 to 19 seconds while repeating the words “I can’t Breathe”. Michael Brown, unarmed and 18 year old was shot 12 times by police. Tamir rice, unarmed and 12 year old who was playing with a toy BB gun at a park and was instantly shot by police upon arrival – 12 years old. The age of a young boy who will never get to experience life to the fullest, the age of a boy who will never look back and regret his first years of junior high, walk at graduation or find his significant other and start a family of his own, the age of my own brother. To think that my brother can be playing around at the park and possibly get shot by police just because he “looks” to be a threat is heart wrenching.

“Appeared aggressive,” “looked to be agitated and combative,” and “believed she had a gun” – those are direct words from the officers involved in similar cases like the ones I just read you. Do you see it now? This is why we need to stop the never ending cycle of racism. It is very crucial to all of us and to this Community’s future, our future and even our kids and grandkids futures that we stop the Stereotyping and racial profiling for our own sake because even the words “I can’t breathe” won’t save my brother and neither will his hands up.

Talijah Vaotogo, Bothell