Why Race & Ethnicity Classes Should be Required in College | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why Race & Ethnicity Classes Should be Required in College

We Don't Need Anymore Tomi Lahrens in this World

106
Why Race & Ethnicity Classes Should be Required in College
Total Pro Sports

Based on all of the events that have recently transpired, I definitely think that college students should be required to take a race and ethnicity class. I don’t think we should just stop at college students either. I think that a race and ethnicity class should be required all the way down to first grade because then children can’t learn the racism that their parents teach them at home. They will have two perspectives and will have the opportunity to choose between which kind of person they want to embody. But like I was saying, I think a race and ethnicity class should definitely be required because there are a lot of people in this world that just don’t understand why certain races are set up the way they are.

For example, we have people like Tomi Lahren, a conservative American television and online video host who has such a narrow view on what other races go through. She only has one view point and that is a view point of a privileged white woman who grew up with all of the advantages of being white. If you watch some of her clips from her online show, she is always trying to tear down anything that has to do with black empowerment and I feel like if she actually was forced to take a race and ethnicity class in college, she’d understand why black empowerment and protesting an unjust political system is a necessity. Literally all this woman does on her show is talk about how wrong people of color or any other minority group is wrong for standing up for what they believe in. You can watch one of her clips here.

I remember when she had recently bashed that football player, Colin Kaepernick, who took a knee during the national anthem. She had talked about how it was disrespectful for him to take a knee for the national anthem because America was a country that fought for his rights and the liberties that we have today.

The key word in her statement was “we.” “We” don’t have the same rights and liberties even though it is stated in the Constitution. Because she is a privileged white woman living in America, her rights and liberties will always put her ahead of minority groups because this country was built on white supremacy. It was built off of the idea that the white race will always stay in a position of power and the only way to do that is to constantly oppress the minority groups without people realizing it. Institutional racism and colorblind racism are the best examples for this point.

Once again, this goes back to the mandatory race and ethnicity classes for college students. By having all college students take a race and ethnicity class I think we can prevent future Tomi Lahrens from entering this world. We shouldn’t just continue to let people think with such a closed minded view of society because at the end of the day Tomi Lahren isn’t the only white person that thinks like this. There are millions of people in this world who have the exact mindset as this blonde white woman and it’s not morally or ethically right. These people learn these close minded views from their parents. The only way we can prevent these conservative views is to teach them intersectionality from a very young age and hope that they understand why minority groups feel the need to have their voices heard. We need to take off the blinders from our eyes and understand different perspectives.

When people don’t take the time to actually question why certain minority groups do certain things or why they feel the way they feel, that’s were the true problem starts to develop. If people can’t take a step back and question their privilege along with the institutional practices that play a role in this society, then they learn nothing and they continue to have this one sided mindset.

With race and ethnicity classes, students are forced to open their eyes and see why minority groups are the way they are. These groups are the way they are because they experience institutional racism, red lining when it comes to housing, police brutality, colorblind racism, the list goes on and on. When they can fully understand these kind of practices, the different races can work together towards an equal society. The only way to learn about these things is by taking a race and ethnicity class. Part of the problem in our society is that students aren’t taught from an intersectional perspective and can’t understand other races other than their own. If we make these classes required, then the problem can be fixed. In conclusion,I'm not bashing white people or anyone who has a conservative view point. I'm just trying to make a point that race & ethnicity classes could definitely help our society for the better.

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

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

184994
 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

11309
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
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

455315
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25001
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments