If I Can't See It, Is Discrimination Even Real? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

If I Can't See It, Is Discrimination Even Real?

Discrimination is not a) easy or b) ending.

13
If I Can't See It, Is Discrimination Even Real?
Religion News

When was the last time you faced discrimination?

A simple enough question, right? Although, maybe not. Some of us will be hard pressed to find an answer, and others of us have libraries full of examples. Discrimination is a very singular experience of prejudice that is blindly ever-present to some and elusive as the dark side of the Moon to others.

No matter if it is a part of your experience, discrimination affects us all, and it is a hungry, hungry beast that stops for no man, woman, or child. It is as invasive as nutria in the swamps of south Louisiana and just as destructive. It is inbred into society through a disregard for the existence of structural violence. If we don't face prejudice everyday--if we are not made to think about the color of our skin, the religion we practice, the gender of the person we love, the gender we identify with, the circumstance of our life, or the money in our possession everyday--we can dismiss it. By dismissing and forgetting about our destructive nature of prejudice, our society has become one of extreme neglect for those we push to the wayside.

My heart rages for the trans-girl in Alabama who falls so fast and so far into a pit of self-hate and depression. For the young woman who is taunted and assaulted for wearing hijab. For the young man who is served injustice in a courtroom due to color of his skin. For the mother of five living in poverty without any support. For the man who cannot hold a job after unwillingly surrendering his mental health to the country that left with nothing. For the aging father who's children can't find the time to care for the man who gave them life. For the couple who has to jump through hoops to give a child a loving home with two dads. For the victim of sexual violence who is asked "What were you wearing?" For the Hispanic woman making sixty cents to the white man's dollar for the same job, and for too many other things.

Call me a social justice warrior. Label me as some girl who doesn't know her place. Give me any name you would like, but that won't change my anger. I am angry because I am forced to be. I am enraged because my world does not allow me to be anything but. I am angry because I have to question whether or not it is even worth it to challenge all of the ways this world is broken.

I have no easy-on-the-heart ending because discrimination is not a) easy or b) ending.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1217
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

734
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199880
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20678
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments