Most of us do not know a world where people had to use different drinking fountains or restrooms because of their skin color. Those days seem to have long past. Or have they? Even though segregation no longer exists, does that mean racism is completely behind us?
As Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Days of Dialogue approach, we are reminded of the oppression many have faced.
Many steps have been made to leave racism in the past. Segregation ended almost 60 years ago, the United States elected its first black president in 2008 and re-elected him last year, but it still seems as though racism is just as much of an issue now as it was for our parents or grandparents.
In fact, it seems to even have increased in the past few years. According to a recent poll released by the Associated Press, 51 percent of the population said they held some sort of anti-black sentiments, compared to 48 percent in 2008. The poll also indicated that 52 percent held anti-Hispanic sentiments.
Although racism may not have actually increased and the three percent increase may have been caused by an error, it still shows that no actual progress has been made to end racism in the past few years.
Those polls were conducted across the country in more urban areas, however. What about in our small state with no real urban areas?
“I think that it’s overly dramatized and that because we have such a small population that those who are racist just really stand out,” one student, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
Others believe that racism is still very prevalent in today’s society and even so in The Equality State.
“Unfortunately I do think racism still exists. I was just thinking the other day when the opinion of homosexuals would become equal like African Americans, but then I thought it still happens. Racism is still here,” graphic design major Cole LeMaster said.
“When are we going to start appreciating diversity as opposed to being upset that we aren’t all the same? I think it’s more pronounced in more conservative places, but it depends on the community as well, I guess,” he said.
In some cases, some students on campus have even witnessed racism and dealt with it firsthand.
“I have had some experience with racism in Wyoming. I don’t understand why people generalize an entire race,” marketing major Chantel McKee said.
“Wyoming could certainly be more diverse and I especially notice that here people tend to associate themselves with the same race rather than branch out and experience more diversification.”
McKee said she also feels that sometimes people try to overcorrect racism and it just makes it worse.
“I don’t understand the purpose of scholarships that are specifically for minorities,” McKee said. “It’s sort of hypocritical because I have won those scholarships, but I still think it’s unfair. We all need more equality.”
While we cannot put an end to racism in one day, we can take steps towards more unity. Days of Dialogue and Martin Luther King Day celebrations will not end racism, but it is a place to start.
