Humans, because of the circumstances that life presents, unavoidably have to interact with each other. Human interaction is an important part of society and development. Part of human interaction is inherently noticing differences between one another. These differences can include color of skin, differences of religion and physical stature. In certain instances, groups of people have shown an extreme amount of prejudice toward a group solely based on these differences. When strong hatred, violence and prejudice are presented toward a group of people based on the color of their skin, it becomes racism.

Racism has always been in our society and even though we have made significant improvements starting from slavery and segregated schools to recently electing the first African-American president, racism still persists today. Although small segments of the population say that racism has been entirely terminated, there are current and prevalent signs of racism today. In fact, there are still often widespread instances of racial discrimination throughout society.

Racism is subtly here throughout society. I have conducted research regarding the effects of racism and I have focused on two main issues that are prevalent in society. The first one is called the “Missing White Girl Syndrome” or the “Missing White Woman Syndrome” and the second one is racism in the South.

The “Missing White Girl Syndrome” occurs when a little Caucasian girl or woman goes missing. It immediately receives more attention when it happens whereas when a little African-American girl or woman disappears, it receives less attention. Why is that? We are all commonly aware of “Amber Alert” but very few are familiar with the “Rilya Alert.” Amber Alerts derived from the kidnapping and disappearance of Amber Hagerman in 1996 and it was instantly made known to the public, websites, newspapers and so on. On the other hand, the Rilya Alert is based off the disappearance of an African-American girl named Rilya Wilson, who disappeared and the case wasn’t made known until 15 months after vanishing. Regardless of these little girls’ skin color, both should attain and deserve equal coverage within these dangerous situations.

The “Missing White Woman Syndrome” is also a phrase that is often used by social scientists in which an upper or middle class Caucasian woman who vanishes receives more attention as opposed to women of different ethnicities and social classes. Eugene Robinson, a journalist for the American newspaper, stated “The obsession with a 'Damsel in distress' has specific rules." He states, "A damsel must be white. This requirement is non-negotiable. She must be attractive (also non-negotiable). Her economic status should be middle class or higher, but an exception can be made in the case of wartime.” With that said, if a woman fulfills these requirements, then they have full coverage. Statistics have shown that. By comparing the amount of missing African-American children cases covered by U.S. media (19.5 percent) to the proportion of cases in the FBI records (33.2 percent), the report shows that African-American missing children cases were notably under-reported (Laccino). These statistics visibly portray the bias in the media against women of color in society. Ethnicity, social class and other factors shouldn’t be the principle factor in a case when someone goes missing.

There are symbols of racism throughout the South that are nothing more ubiquitous than the Confederate Flag. The Confederate Flag is pervasive all over the South and a majority of African-Americans view it in its connection to slavery. The slavery institution had been a vital part of the economy of the South. Some people in the South view the flag as a sign of Southern pride and independence rather than racism. However, a vast majority of African-Americans view it as a racist symbol and slavery was deeply rooted in the South and the Confederate Flag is a reminder of the slavery that African-Americans endured by the economy of the South. When African-Americans see the Confederate Flag, what they see is the stains of history.

From the subtle signs of racism, there are also overt signs of racism as well. For instance, the Charleston church shooting last year. It was inspired by twisted CSA ideals. Dylan Roof, the shooter who killed nine people in the Church in Charleston, South Carolina, held a gun in one hand and the Confederate Flag in the other while firing. What sort of image or mentality does this act portray? Dylan Roof claimed that this act needed to be done for Caucasian people and he was one of the many who had used the Confederate Flag as a symbol for his hatred. In several pictures and on his car, he had images of the flag plastered on throughout his life. Tensions and suspicions have arisen because of this incident. Racism continues to spread and many people are questioning why? Some people believe that the flag has absolutely nothing to do with racial discrimination but others say that there’s no way someone can reject the idea of the flag having motifs linking to slavery. “While some supporters of the flag say they see it as a racially neutral symbol of Southern heritage, the flag has strong ties to racial injustice that extend far beyond the Civil War," said Hilary Hanson, an editor for the Huffington Post. Adding on to this, the flag was brought into existence to symbolize the loose confederacy who wished to maintain the enslavement of African-Americans and white supremacy. While some people argue that the Confederate Flag stands for dissent from an overbearing government, it has a much darker connotation. Due to the fact that the confederate army can be viewed as a force that fought to keep African-Americans in slavery, white supremacists and certain hate groups have co-opted the confederate flag as a rallying banner for those who would seek to return African-Americans to subjugation or worse.

After years of glorifying the idea of racial violence and the false narrative of Rebel heroes, Dylan invoked the CSA and likely other influences in his life to enact his terrible plan. The story he built in his mind led him to wake up one day and say it was right for him to take the lives of nine other people. Racism creeps in and infects people, takes over them like a parasite until not only do they see nothing wrong with their hate, but it drives them to the point where they feel right and justified in committing the most horrible acts. Racism will find its way into many lives. No matter how hard people try to fight it or claim it is not there. Whether it comes in a simple look or more direct action, it has permeated cultures around the world since the dawn of humanity.

Additionally, we have Martin Luther King’s letter he wrote from Birmingham jail. The letter was addressed to several clergymen who were criticizing the actions and concerns of Dr. King. In the document, Dr. King mentions the issues of segregation and equality. He views segregation as “unjust” and he strives for justice, unity and love between every person despite the color of their skin. The message in the letter was intended for audiences who particularly had the same mindset as Dr. King himself and those who opposed it. Dr. King responded to the clergymen with nonviolent and dominant direct actions. He was against violence, segregation and the idea that people were poorly treated because of the color of their skin.

In relation to Dr. Martin Luther King’s letter, God created us in His own image and likeness as it is written in Genesis 1:27. This means that looking past our skin color, God created us in such a way that we are perfect to Him because, after all, He is our creator. This image and likeness constructed by God deals with acceptance not only between ourselves but between other people as well. God had in mind what He wanted us to look like and the purpose He wanted us to serve in life. This is a part of the image and likeness He created in us. God instilled in us unique qualities and abilities that set us different from one another but simultaneously allow space for acceptance from and to every person. This Bible verse pinpoints the principle of dignity of the human person as the Catholic Church would call it. Essentially, this principle addresses several issues around the world from its beginning to end and the consequences it causes. For instance, racism has a lot of history and it certainly causes an issue, perhaps a threat to those who have encountered it. Pope Francis said, “Dear friends, it is certainly necessary to give bread to the hungry, this is an act of justice. But there is also a deeper hunger, the hunger for a happiness that only God can satisfy, the hunger for dignity … ”

In conclusion, we’ve made great progress today and racism is visibly seen today such as the “Missing White Girl Syndrome” or the view of the Confederate Flag. Jesus commands us to love one another and treat each other how we would like to be treated. If we patronize anyone, then we are treating God the same exact way. Everything we do to one another we do to God. The following quote from 1 John 2:9 says, “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.” So, why should we allow racism to devour our minds when we, instead, can move on past the differences within the pigment of the skin and embrace one another. The Catholic Church speaks of one important concept within racism and that is the concept of the life and dignity of the human person. The church aims to strengthen the life and dignity of the human person. The life and dignity of the human person states that each and every human life is sacred because of our Creator, God.

We should not destroy or corrupt society. Corruption, hatred, violence and so forth could easily be avoided if we open up our hearts to each other through prayer, respect and valuing each other’s lives regardless of how different we may be from one another. Although, on the surface, it is easy to look at one person and say they are different from us. "This one has red hair." "That one wears glasses." "The person over there has crooked teeth." There are many ways human beings are all different, but there are so many more ways that people are all alike.

Everyone wants the same things and has the same hopes and dreams for themselves and the people they love. Hating another person for the color of their skin is the thinnest, most unnecessary thing. With that said, we must respect the life and human dignity of the human person. The world would be a poorer place without all its variety and wonder; why is it hard for humanity to extend an olive branch outside of its social groups? Abraham Lincoln was a flawed man, no one was ever perfect, and despite those flaws he had some good things to say, and in his first inaugural address he said, “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies.

"Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” The world we live in is full of dark and dreary thoughts, and marked by the echoes of tragedies both fresh and long forgotten. Perhaps one day, our better angels will remind us that we are all sharing thus world and trying our hardest to make the best of what we have, maybe our differences will no longer be the source of our division, but the source of our strength. When God made us in His image, he wasn't looking at Himself in a broken mirror.

With issues such as "Missing White Girl Syndrome” and the view of the Confederate Flag, we must not let those issues continue because we share in God’s common creation and we are all connected to one another. Again, we were all made in His image and God’s vision is to look at each other and see Himself in us.