Race Still Makes a Difference

So my friends and I were talking about race today. It comes up. Being a college student means I spend most of my time on campus completely surrounded by other human beings. The university I go to has a student population where the majority are Caucasian. I was with two of my friends, one is Caucasian and one is African American. We talked about how, although there is basically every racial group on campus, we are surrounded by white people. We didn't say that was a bad thing or a good thing, its just a thing.

Although many people like to believe that race doesn't matter anymore, it still does. Growing up I was mainly around people of my own race. I did not think any less of people who were different than me and I didn't really feel uncomfortable around them either. Some people feel more comfortable around people that are from the same racial demographic. It gives them a feeling that they have someone they can relate to and talk to about things they might have in common. Just a little example of what I mean by this can be hair. My friend and I are both blond but the older we get the darker it gets and soon we will just be considered brunettes. We both hate the fact that our hair isn't as blond as it used to be and we complain about it sometimes. My other friend who is African American obviously doesn't have the same hair as me. She doesn't get why I'm upset about losing my blond hair, but then again I don't fully understand all the struggles she has with her hair either. This is just one example of how it is easy to talk to people of your own racial group because there will be things you have in common.

This world is getting more diverse but some people still don't adjust well to change. We still have the racial stereotypes and negative/positive connotations about each group. Although most people recognize stereotypes as just stereotypes they still have an effect. A Caucasian person is less likely to be randomly questioned by the police, padded down at an airport, or followed around by security in a store than someone of a minority race. There are up's and down's to every racial group, but I'm not saying we should all pretend like we're colorblind. It's okay to have different races. It brings us diversity. I don't think it is right to see one as lesser than another though because what's the point? How did one race become better than another in the first place anyway?

So yeah. That's just me talking. These are just my thoughts and opinions. I'm not saying I'm right or wrong about anything. I would love to hear some other thoughts though so if you're reading this leave a comment if you would like. I hope you all had swell weekends!