MLK+Writing+Prompt

MLK Writing Prompt If the world today separated people by the color of their skin, it would become a shock to me. I’ve only read about and learned in class about cases of extreme prejudice and hatred but never actually experienced it first-hand. If for some reason people were separated by the color of their hair for example, I believe society would go a little something like this… There would be approximately four schools: one for blondes, brunettes, black hair, and all of the colors in between that don’t get a category. Kids would probably grow up believing that the kids who don’t have the same hair color as them are bad people and need to be stayed away from, just like the white kids were told to stay away from black kids not so long ago. Friendships and families would be torn apart. There would be so much animosity in the world that there would hardly be any room for love and understanding. And what would happen if brunette parents gave birth to a child with either blond or black hair? Would the parents simply shun their child or give them up to a different family? Separating people by the color of their hair simply wouldn’t work. Nowadays, there is easy access to a salon or a hair dye kit. A person can have their pick of any color they so choose to have their hair, at any given time. If our world really was separated by the color of hair, I would feel restricted; restricted to only talk to brunettes or to only go in the door labeled for brunettes. It would be saddening. I’d like to think I would make a change in the world, try to turn things around, but how many of us would honestly go against the rules because we know that what is going on is not right. I don’t think I would have the courage to do that. I would hopefully do the little things to make a change. Such as smiling at someone with black hair or saying hello. Also, what would happen when it comes time for election? Which is the dominant “hair color” and which person would get the privilege of being in that office such as the president of the United States? There simply would be no way of judging what color of hair is better and I believe that America would be at a standstill with major disagreements happening and ultimately nothing would get accomplished. It becomes a trickledown effect affecting everyone. I am thoroughly glad that society is no separated by skin color, hair color, or by any means because that would mean I wouldn’t be friends with a lot of the people that I am today. When I was in kindergarten, a little five year old just starting out, I was in the process of meeting and making new friends. I can remember clearly that the first person I talked to and instantly became friends with was Sarah. At the time I didn’t even see that she was African American and different from the rest of the class. We became the best of friends and you would always find us out on the playground together. I am amazed that as a five year old I never once commented on the color of her skin; it never even occurred to me to say anything. Having a best friend who wasn’t of my race growing up led me to accept diversity and not have a problem with it. I don’t see why society can’t be more understanding and encouraging. After all, if we were all similar and alike in America, that would get very boring and predictable. Growing up in a society that is diverse is just normal for everyone in this day and age. Diversity never hurt anyone and to be separated by the color of your skin or even hair color is just not something I am able to fathom. I enjoy and do not have a problem with the mixed cultures and the many different people that there is here in America. It’s all I have ever known, and I hope it continues to stay that way.