Breaking the Silence

As I sit in my cubicle at the library to type why there is ethnic women’s studies I can overhear something that troubles me. I hear the words “bitch,” “sand nigger” and many more obscene and derogatory words. These four men were referring to the many women they have had sexual relations with, how they have use women, and how they cannot stand people with middle eastern decent. As I here this ignorance and lack of knowledge coming out of their mouth, it saddens me that in the year 2002 there is still this type of discrimination going on. During a time when the United States in going through many trials and tribulations this type of behavior only adds to the problem.

            What is happening here? We need to break the silence. We need to have “…meaningful and productive dialogue to raise consciousness and lead to effective action and social change”(Tatum, 1997, p.193). We can break the silence by studying the hardships of women and different ethnic groups. Ethnic women’s studies are an important subject in the fight for equality and civil rights. We need to treasure our ethnic heritage. “We need to share it with the young people of today’s world so it can continue to spread throughout the future” (Cox & Ephross, 1998, p.1).

            The Mercator map was developed in 1959 for European navigators and is not a true representation of what the world looks like. The Peters Projections Map shows fairness to all peoples. Ethnic women’s studies is necessary so we can have that Peters Projection Map; there needs to be that true representation of what has happened in history.

The curiosity, need, and want to learn and educate has been a major factor in the purpose to bring about the evolvement of ethnic and women’s studies. When one gains knowledge on a certain subject that person has just been armed with the tools he or she needs to fight against the ignorance of the many in this world. When there is a problem, often one tries to find a solution. People have a natural instinct to want to be heard and appreciated. When they are talked about and oppressed, as many ethnic groups and women have been, that natural desire or passion will break through and will be heard. 

 “In recent years there has been increasing pressure from minority groups for recognition of ethnic differences”(Jenkins, 1981, p.4). Everyone has a story to tell and everyone wants to be heard.  This has caused many universities and museums across the nation to pay tribute and recognize this world we live in is made up of many different ethnic groups. As Americans we need to support this positive attitude any way possible, which would contribute to a better society.

When a person is put into a hostile situation, fear is put in the heart of that person. “Fear is a powerful emotion, one that immobilizes, traps words in our throats, and stills our tongues”(Tatum, 1997, p.194). When a person is put into a hostile or uncomfortable position one becomes fearful. This fear turns into a silence. The silence “…results in the loss of human potential lowered productivity, and a rising tide of fear and violence in our society”(Tatum, 1997, p.200). That is the problem. This problem has evoked a response from society. The answer happens every time a student signs up for an ethnic women’s studies class, every time someone passes on knowledge of that subject, every time the silence is broken.

            There are many integral theories or concepts to the discussion of ethnic and women’s studies. There are four main theories or concepts with which I will focus on. There is the idea of the glass ceiling, race as a chameleon, the United States as a mosaic, and my view of life through a different mirror.

            To be able to see the finish line, but not be able to reach it, not because one is not capable but because someone is holding that person back is very emotional. It is said that the sky is the limit and we should dream beyond the clouds. When someone or something objects to that dream a person’s freedom and rites as a human being are stripped away. Why does it still exist? We have not seen it clearly for what it is. When an African American or Latino person is in college, doing well, hoping to graduate with honors so they can prove to the world they are competent of doing a job. They have dreams of becoming something great, but because they are of the minority they are not given that chance to show what they have. It is when the great, no matter what obstacle is put in their path they find away to conquer, overcome the hate, take a stand and become known, that is when I am proud to be apart of the minority. When I know the once thought to be impossible and untouchable becomes not only visible but also tangible is what makes me continue on my path for success.

            Author Howard Zinn (1980) had a thought of “race as a chameleon. The idea of race changes over time and place”(p. 34). Race in America has played an important part in the building of this nation. The difference of races was thought to give the dominant race superiority. At a time when the fight against black versus white was on the rise, race also began to change. For the whites it was a time for power and for blacks a time of punishment and mistreatment. Race changes when it is convenient for the dominant group. When something needed to be done the blacks were forced or enslaved to work to better the whites. The blacks were the answer. Blacks were treated less than human, packed on ships and beaten.

   We see now a complex web of historical threads to ensnare blacks for slavery in America: the desperation of starving settlers, the special helplessness of the displaced African, the powerful incentive of profit for slave trader and planter, the temptation of superior status for poor whites, the elaborate controls against escape and rebellion, the legal and social punishment of black and white collaboration. The point is that the elements of this web are historical not “natural.” (Zinn 1980, p.45)

            Some say that a rainbow is the most beautiful of God’s creations. The rainbow, made up of many different colors brings light and beauty to the world. The people that make up this world is much like that rainbow. Made up of many different, but vibrant colors. We live in a world of different faces and races. We need to recognize the different ethnic groups that make up this great country. We have come together mixed and mingled to create a beautiful and colorful world. “A major aspect of the ethnic experience in the United States revolves around the means and circumstances by which people have become a part of the United States mosaic”(Devore & Schlesinger, 1996, p. 21). No one in this world is a pure race. In some way and form we are all racially mixed. We identify with different ethnic background and cultures. When brought together we create this beautiful mosaic portrait.

            When I look in the mirror I see a young man that has seen and been thought a lot, physically and mentally. My mirror reflects my image. It reflects who I am and what I have done. What if that mirror were placed in front of the world, then I stepped in? At that moment, what would I see? I would see the lives and struggles of those around me. I would see the differences and similarities that as people we all have. I would see Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream come alive. I would see the togetherness that we as a people have created. If we all take time out of our lives to view life from this different mirror, we would experience something life changing and great. “What ever happens, we can be certain that much of our society’s future will be influenced by which “mirror” we choose to see ourselves”(Takaki, 1993, p.17). The mirror will only reflect what it sees. The mirror will reflect the truth. The truth shall set us free.

            West African Professor Kofi Opoku said, “One must come out of one’s house to begin learning.” For a long time I was in my house, by myself. I did not care to come out and learn. Now, not only have I come out of my own house, but I have knocked on the doors of others to wake them up and take them out of their house. I have learned that we are different, but the same and that our differences make us unique. “Our cultural differences offer us perhaps the greatest sources for the celebration of diversity”(LaRosa & Bettmann, 2000, p.69). Words do hurt. To be called a derogatory name could have a big impact on a person’s feelings. My advancement of ethnic women’s studies has inspired me to subscribe to the African teaching of Ubuntu. I have learned this practice of collective unity has helped me to gain strength through the collective force and energy of others (Humber, T.C., 2002).

I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways. And no message could have been any clearer. If you want to make the world a better place Take a look at yourself and then make a change. (Jackson, M. (Artist). (1989). Man in the Mirror [Audio].

The answer is within. The question is do I put forth the effort to make a change? Until the silence is broken we cannot move forward. In order to more forward in our fight for equal ethnic, gender, cultural, and religious freedom we need to soul search. We need to open our eyes to the negativity, racism, discrimination and hatred towards our fellow brothers and sisters. America is in denial. We need to take a stand admit there is a problem and fix it. We need to break the silence.

Sources:

Cox, C.B., Ephross, P.H. (1998). Ethnicity and social work practice New York: Oxford University Press, Inc.,

Devore, W., Schlesinger E. G. (1996). Ethnic-sensitive: social work practice. Boston, Ma.: Allyn & Bacon.

Humber, T.C. (2002) Cultural connections, truth, inclusion, and infusion!!! Ubuntu p.10

Jackson, M. (1989). Man in the mirror. Los Angels, Ca.: [Audio]

Jenkins, S. (1981). The ethnic dilemma in social services. New York: The Free Press

LaRosa, C.S. & Bettmann, E.H. (2000). Hate hurts: how children learn and unlearn prejudice. New York: Scholastic Inc.

Takaki, R. (1993). A different mirror: a history of multicultural America.  New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Tatum, B. D. (1997) “Why are all the black kinds sitting together in the cafeteria?” and other conversations about race. New York: Basic Books.

Zinn, H. (1980). Race as chameleon: how the idea of race changes over time and place. In Gallagher, C.A. Rethinking the color line: readings in race and ethnicity. (pp.34-45). Mountain View, Ca: Mayfield Publishing Company.

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