“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” -Martin Luther King Jr.
How do you live a life of pure kindness? The answer, you cannot. The world today is built on social constructs that create boundaries between humanity. Race is a component that perpetuates these false ideas on people’s character. I read recently this week Sam Selvon’s book, A Brighter Sun, in it, the diverse characters representing the variety of Trinidad. In the text, it details the relationship of an East Indian and African descent couple that are being judged by their own people for helping each other as neighbors. It is a sad moment when kindness can be overshadowed by prejudices. Their friendship is being questioned because of the connotation of each other races and how culturally they are different. I find this to be significant within the context of marginalized communities because everyone’s struggle should be cared for by everyone else. Intersectionality is the answer towards a united people. Until we as a people realize that the hegemonic power does not have to separate us oppressed groups is when we will truly live a life. Character should be a defining factor, not race.
Selvon, Sam. A Brighter Sun . London: Heinemann, 1995.
It was hard to see the struggles the couples in A Brighter Sun had to endure, simply to be good neighbors. Each couple would always make assumptions based on race and culture, for instance Rita once commented “you Indians only want boy chile” when Tiger was upset Urmilla gave birth to a girl. It was, however, comforting that at the end of the novel they finally agreed it is better to put aside their differences and stay friends.
It’s true that not everyone is perfect, but I do agree that people should make an effort to at least try and unlearn all the social prejudices that’s ingrained into society and culture.