Racial Injustice: A cry for redemption

By: Kolade Oladimeji

   "The moment when we all look at ourselves as a brotherhood regardless of our race, skin color or ethnicity is when the starless midnight of racism has finally come to an end, and then we would have brought to reality what has been read on papers right from generations past"
 
   Martin Luther King, in his lifetime fought a war of redemption for negroes of the United States and eventually, a black ruled America. Nelson Mandela's resolve was unshaken even at the face of persecution until South Africa was free from racial segregation. We have had great legends who stood up for the victimized race, against injustice and their efforts were not futile but it shouldn't shock you to realize that even in this century, there are still many forms of segregation that shouldn't be overlooked.
​
   I consider it selfish (no, foolish!!) to set up another standard of humanity for a fellow brother. This has been among the ambiguities of our time right from prehistoric period that needs to be firmly resolved. When we were all given birth to, we came as humans by all biological and natural standards.

   The qualification for humanity is not (and should not) be based on skin color or racial background. As long as there are no tails on the fellow, there is no reason whatsoever to compare any race to the generation of apes. Black or white, red or brown; humans are humans.
There is no doubt in the advancement and improvement of life which is the era we now live in, however the racist in his folly cynically brings up his shallow ideas and concluded outrightly that his race (which no one should give a damn about) is superior to others. He challenges the segregated race with inventions of his fellow brother (who he considers human because of the similarities in their skin color and racial background). He makes comparisons with his way of life to his victim's, and they (the victims) are bamboozled into buying his idea, hence the racist dominates them and make them feel inferior.

   Looking at the background of the racist, he has a long history of development in the areas of government, politics, inventions and many more, than the segregated community. Rather than rendering encouraging assistance to the secluded community, he (the racist) out of a selfish ambition of self-glorification make some developments in the community rather than guide the community (of the segregated) on how to develop on their own (that is how I consider the racist's alleged charity). If his intentions of charity were pure, the racist would not raise indictments against the segregated community, rather he would share in their hope of improvements and advancements.

   Making stereotypical remarks of indictment on a race is folly in display. The liked of Barack Obama who became the first black (segregated community) president of great America should not have emerged as so, if he was an ape.

   Why do we have to oppress another race and judge them by the color of their skin?! If this injustice was because of the pant color we wore, there would have been no problem as I can hop into my car; zoom off to my house and change into the accepted color of pants; but this is an injustice on something almost unchangeable. This is an injustice of skim color!!!
Global awards or certain positions should not be limited to a certain race but should be based on the fair judgement and assessment of what we can offer, if truly we claim the absence of injustice. We have had blacks who did exploits in their fields and their accomplishments are undeniable.

   Just like Martin Luther King, I have refused to accept the cynical notion that mankind is bound to the starless midnight of racism and war. These biases are consciously done but the black community will continue to thrive and prove to the world that what we have to offer is not determined by the color of our skin.

   My charge to the black community is to not respond to the racist's folly with violence or defeat. Do not try to alter the color of your skin as you will only be proving the racist's ideas to be true. This is a call to all humanity, black; red; brown; or white, to stand against racial injustice, and we should see  it as a thing of pride to exist in diversity. Just like Martin Luther King, I have a dream when one day the world would be void of racial or skin color biases, whether conscious or unconscious and that we may all stand as a brotherhood to sing the song of liberation together. Bringing to reality a long age fiction: Racial equity - is my cry to everyone.