Day #6: Racism is Racism - Alex Ortiz
Yesterday, as I rested my feet and browsed the internet I came across news of an event that happened during an NCAA Basketball game that took place at Southern Mississippi State University. As Angel Rodriguez, from Kansas State University, shot free throws a chant spread across the crowd, “Where’s your green card, Where’s your green card,” band members shouted. I couldn’t help, but to immediately relate this situation to the time the kids from Horn Lake who too shouted discriminatory terms. This event show that racism is still deeply rooted within the hearts of many in the Mid-South.
Today as I walked, I took a minute to reflect upon my thoughts and to carefully examine the environment. I looked around and realized that traces of racism still linger within all communities. In what used to be an old plantation lied a small decayed house, I waved to the Caucasian guy standing in the front door and received no reply. We walked past “PLANTATION MOTORS”, and then came across an older Caucasian lady who revived with us moments in which she had been removed from a neighborhood simply because she had African American friends. This events led me to realizing that we have accomplished the purpose of the walk thus far.
Finally, all these traces of racism led me to finding myself and the true purpose behind each step I take. The racism shown in Southern Miss is the same racism that was shown to the white lady who was removed from the neighborhood because she had “Black” friends. The same racism that oppressed the African American community decades ago is now oppressing the undocumented community. I found it clever that this walk is fulfilling what it set out to do, “Show that racism is still prevalent in the Mid-South,” not only that, but even as “HB 488” passed the House we are also able to see how racism is expressed through legislation. The walk continues, Nothing will stop us!
