We are all aware that The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th 1776.
We also know that this said declaration states that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
When I arrived to the mainland in 1960, It was the first time I experienced racism, alienation and rejection from my peers, the school system and the administration. At that time, Jim Crow Laws were in effect. "Jim Crow laws were state and local laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States. Other areas of the United States were affected by formal and informal policies of segregation as well, but many states outside the South had adopted laws, beginning in the late 19th century, banning discrimination in public accommodations and voting.
I would also like tomention that school did not begin until the pledge of allegiance and a prayer were said.
I had never experienced these types of laws in my native country. I'm sure we can all understand the trauma a seven-year-old would experience living where the labels were on water fountains, bathrooms, schools, and being denied or given limited entrance to public places.
Presently those laws are no longer enforced. If I were moved to revisit the places where I first encountered racism, I would not see labels designating which water fountains, bathroom or entrances people of color must use.
But I must ask myself, have the hearts of those who created and enforced them changed?
I don't believe the hearts have changed for the atrocities which plagued this country in the past still exist.
So, I continue to ask myself the same question I asked myself when I was seven.... if all men are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...why are some privileged, while some are not?
This said declaration states that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
When I arrived to the mainland in 1960, It was the first time I experienced racism, alienation and rejection from my peers, the school system and the administration. At that time, Jim Crow Laws were in effect. "Jim Crow laws were state and local laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States. Other areas of the United States were affected by formal and informal policies of segregation as well, but many states outside the South had adopted laws, beginning in the late 19th century, banning discrimination in public accommodations and voting.
I would also like to add that school did not begin until the pleadge of allegiance and a prayer were said.
I had never experienced these types of laws in my native country. I'm sure we can all understand the trauma a seven-year-old would experience living where the labels were on water fountains, bathrooms, schools, and being denied or given limited entrance to public places.
Presently those laws are no longer enforced. If I were moved to revisit the places where I first encountered racism, I would not see labels designating which water fountains, bathroom or entrances people of color must use.
But, I must ask myself, have the hearts of those who created and enforced them changed?
I don't believe the hearts have changed for the atrocities which plagued this country in the past still exist.
So, I continue to ask myself the same question I asked myself when I was seven.... if all men are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...why are some privileged, while some are not?