Realities of the World

Children as well as adults tend to cover their eyes in order to hide from the world. Many would consider this a representation of fear. This idea of fear, however can be transferred into the idea of innocence--chosen innocence. On the contrary to popular beliefs, adults too squeeze their eyes tightly in order to escape from their own trials and tribulations.In my own life I find myself closing my eyes tightly, hoping not to see the faults that surrounds me in the world. However at some point of ones life arms will have to come down and eyes will have to slowly open.
My own eyes were opened recently. I lost my innocence. The innocence I tried so hard to keep. I had opened my eyes to the racism surrounding me. The story of my awakening begins on the streets of New York city. It was a hot day and the trip home from school took longer because of this. My feet dragged under me as I made my way down to the subway amongst my fellow classmates and strangers. Across the street was an opened fire hydrant and as we walked by many began to jump around in it.

"This is why black people can't go anywhere. Can't do anything"

My friend stated as we turned the corner. What was I going to say? What was there to say? Was this the truth? Were the studies right? Where the majority going to fail? My mouth opened , but I said nothing. I continued to walk. Running away from my thoughts. Running away from my friend's accusations. These statements continued on throughout most of my life thereafter. A couple of days later another friend asked me if she was "college material", if they accept "people like her" into "fancy pants" schools. "Yes" I said without really knowing. Confused about my place in the minority status, and sure she was also. We watched each other trying to put the pieces together. We had finally admitted within ourselves that we are at a disadvantage in life. We heard it many times, and questioned it within ourselves. In our lives we see no disadvantages, because we can not see the other side. We accept this now however when told that we are.
In "The Ethics of Living Jim Crow" by Richard Wright, Richard too searches for understanding as well. He seeks to comprehend the way in which he is suppose to act with white people. He seeks out the black community in order to do so, along with making his own observations. The lessons he learns are tremendous and helps him to cope with the discrimination he faces. We seek to gain the understanding he has gained. His gaining of this information presented the line between life and death. In order to continue onward in life he must gather this information.
In my own life this is the case. The understanding of the present disadvantage that we are in makes all the difference in how to approach the situation and bring an end to it. This knowledge would need not only to impact us, as it did in Richard Wright's story, but also our community as a whole. This disadvantage, set on an uneven playing Field slides African Americans at the bottom of the sea-saw causing many to say that black people can't do anything, as my friend stated. This understanding, as in Richard's situation would create an idea of survival. One survives in our society by having a high paying job, which would be able to supply us the means of living, unlike in Richard's society one works upward for advancement. If one understands the reasons that they are at a disadvantage and thereafter the things needed to be done in order to change their situation I am sure that the sea-saw would no longer be a steep climb upward. This understanding of people in the black community would be viable.
What makes the big difference between our current day situation and Richard's is the fact that we have the resources in order to make a change and educate ourselves. Guiding him were individuals, who too were just as confused as he on the circumstances he lived in. Africans must make the conscious decision to open their eyes and see the world for what it truly is. Back then, during those times of legaldiscrimination, there was no choice but to learn how to survive. As people of color we should be able to make conscious to do so. It is a choice, that truly isn't a choice(due to laws), but if one wished to provide for their families this decision must be made. Like my friend,I, and Ricard, people will have to start seeing the truth to the situation, but unlike Richard, viable support and guidance can be provided.