From Awareness To Action

As a child growing up, I've understood the characteristic of equality in quite a simple way: everyone should be treated with respect and treated fairly no matter who they are. As I get older, I realize that equality or fairness is not autonomous but requires a lot of effort, most especially when helping minority communities.

Although having not personally faced or seen discrimination firsthand, It seems to be quite obvious that it exists all around us. Witnessing stories from friends, news channels, and other publications has shown me how discrimination/bias can deeply affect one's career, education, and even their own sense of belonging. These stories have helped me realize that even though I have not witnessed discrimination does not mean an absence of responsibility.

My perspective on race has been evolving over time. I've assumed that simply treating all as one was enough, but I've come to realize we live in systems where inequality and discrimination take place quietly in the background, and it needs to be addressed. True unity does not mean refraining from acts of discrimination, but also bringing it up/confronting it in everyday conversations and choices we make as humans.

I believe that equality strengthens everyone and not only those who are directly affected by these circumstances, when given people equal opportunities to education, jobs, and other opportunities. Helping marginalized communities/groups is not only the right thing to do but is crucial for building a greater future for all.

These stories have shown me how vital it is to be humble and empathetic. Every person may have faced such experiences that may not be visible, and as humans, it is important to realize that respecting those experiences is extremely crucial for building trust and understanding. Growing up, I've also realized that change does not always have to be undertaken in huge steps, but change frequently begins on a small scale - in the way we speak, the media we pay attention to, and our will to rectify harmful assumptions.

Holding oneself accountable involves getting engaged in honest and truthful conversations in scenes of bias or discrimination. It involves keeping a check on the language we use, questioning/challenging stereotypes that may exist, and being open to any feedback made regarding such issues.Accountability/responsibility is not always about perfection, but about consistency in growth and dedication to fairness

In conclusion, helping minorities is not an act of charity; it is an act that involves standing in support of others, even in discomfort, and raising our voices for the creation of a community where equality isn’t a privilege but a right.