Kopplin, Hayden: Diversity

As I began my exploration into the given assignment, I had no idea as to how I would handle the material. I try not to give race and diversity too much thought. The past is in the past. America has learned from its mistakes. We are all equals in today’s society. But, after reading both passages of the assigned selection, I understood why the past is so important, how we can continue to learn from it and how it affects my life.

            

Before reading the selection of letters, I didn’t quite understand why it was necessary. I treat all people in the same fashion – regardless of race. But that hasn’t always been the case. When reading through Martin Luther King’s letter, I found myself swept up into a torrent of emotions. First, I felt apathetic and tired. I didn’t want to read this ridiculous letter that did not affect my life, about the situations inside that did not affect my life. Then, I found myself feeling angered with Dr. King. I felt he was justifying wrong doings by his own accord, his own philosophies, his own skewed understanding. Then a type of sadness and guilt took over. People belonging to my ethnicity were often not engaged in helping the Black population – they were being passive. And I must say I agree with Dr. King’s statement on people who find themselves to be moderate – they are bewildering and incredibly unhelpful. More than anything, I felt myself becoming confused within the letters exchanged. “A Call for Unity”, the letter written to Dr. King, seemed to hold suggestions that could possibly help the civil rights movement, but in actuality only contained criticism and disapproval. They offerred no real means of help or suggestion. Essentially outlining the problem to Dr. King, but giving him no alternatives that are truly usable.

            

Dr. King, the intelligent, respectable and kind man that he was, calmly addressed the issue and explained exactly why the civil rights movement could no longer be taken lightly – why they could no longer take inactive approaches and they now expected results.

            

After reading both letters, I found myself lost in a defining moment between what seemed to be two strangers who had been miscommunicating for decades. I came to the realization that the past still influences the present, that there is so much history behind the civil rights movement – just and fair equality was not achieved by lazy folks who were unwilling to actively participate in the movement, but only belonged to those who fought and secured their rights.