In a recent article in the Omaha World Herald, the stories of two young people murdered by hate and racial discrimination are being brought to life at Brownell-Talbot in light of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. One of these stories, that of Anne Frank, is very widely known, but the other, that of Emmett Till, is not. As we all know, Anne Frank was killed during World War Two by the Nazis for being Jewish. Her diary, which has been read all across the world, tells us of her spending her final months living in a secret room on the top floor of a warehouse with her parents, sister, and another family. But the story of Emmett Till is less commonly known. He was a fourteen year old African-American boy from Chicago, who, while visiting some relatives in Mississippi, was kidnapped, beaten, and shot in the head by two white men after supposedly whistling at a white woman. His mutilated body was found three days later floating in the Tallahatchie River and sent back to Chicago. His mother insisted that he have an open casket so all could see what had happened to him.
In light of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I think it is a good idea that these stories are being told. We need to know about these hate crimes, and realize that we are not perfect. Though we don't hear much about segregation and hate crimes happening in America any more, they are still happening, though not always to the extent of when Dr. King was alive. Today we build stereotypes and racist ideas about other cultures, races, and religions. If America is such a great country, one that the poor and oppressed of other countries dream of coming here to be free to be whomever they want to be, then why do we have these stereotypes? If America is all about equality, than why are the minority groups living in the ghettos, afraid of being taunted and abused by others on a constant basis? Sure, we have abolished slavery and segregation and have set up the freedom of religion in our country, but that does not mean that we do not have problems concerning racial and religious differences. When I read about hate crimes, I certainly don't want think of America at being towards the top of the list of countries with most racial hate crimes. And I most certainly do not want to live in a country like that.
http://www.omaha.com/article/20130119/NEWS/701199939/1685#tale-of-two-youths-killed-by-hate-brings-king-s-legacy-to-life
In light of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I think it is a good idea that these stories are being told. We need to know about these hate crimes, and realize that we are not perfect. Though we don't hear much about segregation and hate crimes happening in America any more, they are still happening, though not always to the extent of when Dr. King was alive. Today we build stereotypes and racist ideas about other cultures, races, and religions. If America is such a great country, one that the poor and oppressed of other countries dream of coming here to be free to be whomever they want to be, then why do we have these stereotypes? If America is all about equality, than why are the minority groups living in the ghettos, afraid of being taunted and abused by others on a constant basis? Sure, we have abolished slavery and segregation and have set up the freedom of religion in our country, but that does not mean that we do not have problems concerning racial and religious differences. When I read about hate crimes, I certainly don't want think of America at being towards the top of the list of countries with most racial hate crimes. And I most certainly do not want to live in a country like that.
http://www.omaha.com/article/20130119/NEWS/701199939/1685#tale-of-two-youths-killed-by-hate-brings-king-s-legacy-to-life
I agree with Matt. These stories are good to hear about, because sometimes we do not know what is happening to people in the world. I also agree that even after the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King Jr there are still hate crimes and segregation that needs to stop. People do not know that a lot of this horrible actions that only seem to take place in the South during the Civil Rights Movement are still prevalent today. I think that people need to know how horribly people are being treated, and better themselves on how they see people and act towards others.
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