We the people… No! We are not equal Racism is a term that was unfamiliar, irrelevant, and ceased to exist in my world. Until, one day my naïve little world came crashing down and was engulfed in flames. My friend Emily and I always interacted on her street 600 ft away from her house never in her home, on the lawn, or anywhere near her revolving life. It seemed to me as if she just was living a horrible lifestyle in a run-down house she did want me to see or just she did not want to be home—this is her escape. Unfortunately, my ignorance was not bliss when one day I waited for hours for her to arrive and she never showed. As, the sun began to kiss the surface, I took it upon myself to go to her house and ask why she did not show. Little did I realize when I knocked on the door of Emily’s house that it was not her house, but the devil’s door. The danger and the hatred that waited for me on the other side I was oblivious to; however, it would tamper, taint and twist my innocent life upside down. Suddenly, the door swung open and what lied in front of me was no longer a white door with a golden painted frame, but a man with above advance animosity of anger. He was a man with a corrupt, cold piece of machinery that was pinpointed at the center of my head. He stated in a grim tone, “Get the hell off my property you worthless good for nothing Negro before, I blow you brain out all across my lawn.” Back then, I was a child. Back then, the term racism was nonexistent. Back then, oh I wish I could go back to back then. It is common knowledge that slavery is over; however, racism has permanently filled the void. Growing up as an African American female slavery and racism in the 20th century, let alone 2012 seemed to have its place. In the past but how horribly mistaken that thought is, racism and slavery are both alive, and well today the only aspect that has changed from past to the present is that Civil Right Laws have been hard fought and won to prevent, prosecute, or vindicate persons targeted by such driving forces. Upon entrance into a room questions always arise. Are they judging me right now? There are two others here not of my color… does that give them an advantage? What if they never look my way because I don’t “look” the part—too ethnic? Often thoughts run rampant of being of another race. If my race were different would society treat me better or worse? My goal is to show teens and adults of all ethnic backgrounds that slavery is still alive and well, just in a different form. Slavery encases the mind in racism, the heart in hatred, and the mouth with the ignorant and hurtful words that spew forth. Just because it is the 20th century and people are not being shipped and traded by large boats or hung from hundred-year-old oak trees (as often), it does not mean that thought processes in America have changed that much. The perspective of racism and its reason of occurrence are viewed and understood in a variety of ways. Some believe non-existent and others perceive it as enormous issue that is not being acknowledged. According to Romano, Andrew and Samuels, Allison, the authors of “Is Obama Making It Worse” (40) in the article they declared, “It’s not him it us. Despite the powerful symbolism of Obama’s election, black and whites are still living in two different worlds.” They’re advocating Obama’s side not his viewpoint meaning the comment he made was his own toward the Trayvon Martin issue is his opinion. We as Americans took it in own perspective and added onto the madness. The citizens of America are the storm brewing and President Obama is the lighting that struck. This situation did not start by him; he just merely stated his mind. In all actuality the only reason racism is prevailing is because we allow it. The authors of the articles, claims, “Whenever a race controversy goes national, Obama seems to feel compelled to comment- which makes sense, because he is black… Liberals accuse conservatives of racism; conservatives accuse liberals of playing the race cards. Everyone feels more divided than before.” Meanwhile, you can confirm that the authors’ believe the media should not play a role in addressing racism in the United States. Due to the fact, it does not solve anything; it only makes the issue worse. By escalating the situation nationally places the division between African Americans and Caucasians even wider. They concluded, “Frustrating feuds won’t last forever… the mere fact of President Obama—along a brown face alongside all those chalky portraits in our history books-will begin to have it owns effect. White children will look at black children differently. Black children will look at themselves differently. And that, one hope, will be more than enough to make up for whatever growing pains we’re experiencing right now.” The authors’ believes that a difference is occurring because of the progress of African Americans and discrimination/racism will not last forever. I favor this statement to a certain degree. Yes, the world is being impacted by this progression; however, the feud that the author referred to has been proceeding for years, so why would it stop now? The media is also apart of the chaos that arises in discrimination. Walter Mosley the author of “Never Argue with a Man with a Gun” (42) claims, “Would the national media even cover such a crime? I don’t believe so…there are solid reason for these oversights and exclusions… we often look upon the fact that represents the enemy and focus our rage on the perceived characteristics of that visage…preconceptions, false identifiers, and lessons in history that have gaps wider than the Grand Canyon make up the foundation for this solitary crime that in my opinion, has been so misconstrued.” The author’s conjecture is the media effects our conceptions of the characters presented in a major way. I agree with Mosley to the fullest degree. The media does present a bias visual. Individuals only see what the media broad cast. Walter brings up a point that I did not realize. In which the media an aspect that we embrace such as New13, New15, Facebook, etc. distorts images given to presence a false illusion. Mosley also disputes, “The legal system does not care about Trayvon or what happened to him. Dollar sign fuel the media coverage and motivates the Republican governor.” The author’s statement may be an opinion however it is very authentic. First, understanding the purpose that the media fulfills, which is to inform their audience and keep them updated. Nevertheless, they are given show time that is limited, so they have to cut certain aspects out of the information given to fit the stories, whether, local news, and etc. into that time slot. So, this is the process where entities only get perceived through what the media desires you to see. Furthermore, to keep the rating up they must keep the audience intrigued which now presence media coverage that is bias. The effect of a black presidency has led to supposed separation throughout the nation. When President Obama took the initiative to speak out towards the Trayvon Martin issue it converted to an immense fall out between citizens. Some people think that Obama did make the right choice addressing the issue; however, others think is were unnecessary and that Obama was play the race card. Ta-nehisi Coates, the author of “Fear Of A Black President” (76-90) stated evidence that, “The local authorities at first decline the arrest, citing Zimmerman’s claim of self-defense. Protest exploded nationally. Skittles and Arizona Ice Tea assumed totemic power. Celebrities—the actor Jamie Foxx, the former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm, members of the Miami Heat—were photographed wearing hoodies. When Representative Bobby Rush of Chicago took to the House floor to denounce racial profiling, he was removed form the chamber after donning a hoodie mid-speech.” From the quote I insist that racism is being counteracted by individuals or groups standing up and speaking out toward the issue. The pictures of the hoodie by celebrities is creating a movement, also causing an awareness of the Trayvon Martin case worldwide. When the author claims, “What black people are experiencing right now is a kind of privilege previously withheld—seeing our most scared cultural practices and tropes validated in the world’s highest office… this kind of cultural power was wielded solely by white… those who’ve long treasured white exclusivity, the existence of a President Barack Obama is discombobulating, even terrifying… the iconic picture of the young black boy reaching out to touch the president’s curly hair sends one message to black America, it sends another to those who have enjoyed the power or whiteness.” The author is stating that Barrack’s presidency is a prerogative to African Americans. However, this has always been a benefit for whites. The presidency is an aspect that black people could only dream about now it is reality. What I acquired from this quote is the occurrence of racism involves anther factor which is blacks thinking they are inadequate of achieving success; in which this prevents them from attempting to try. Hence, my research is evidence that racism is still prospering throughout the world. Also, discrimination comes in every form of level whether it is local, state, or national. It’s an issue that resembles an elephant in the room; the issue is uncomfortable to be acknowledge, but to immense to avoid. Furthermore, the president, candidates running for a positions, and congress and Supreme Court members have to walk on eggshells when the issue of racism is has been recognized or being flared up by the media. I have pondered the question of this—we have overcome slavery…why not racism? As African Americans what are we doing to rise against such a broad issue in the 20th century? My answer was simply this history is what lead us to be who we are in society today. Furthermore, blacks are doing nothing to cease the act of racism. Although I was wrong, there is a variety of factors that causes racism to occur the following are: the media, our history, information given, others beliefs, the influence of others beliefs, etc. However, African Americans are choosing to take a negative force and place it with a positive outlook. For example, TJ Holmes Don’t Sleep and B.E.T Black Girls Rock these programs are leading us to be more informed, aware, and educated on the issues of today’s nation like election day, candidates running and information about them, how many black people are on the supreme court, and sharing with young African American children and adults that there black is powerful to embrace it and not be ashamed it. Also we are using a voice that our ancestors never had, but could only dream of procuring. The voices we have—we put in on creating movements, speaking out on discriminating acts, generating clubs that prevent young individuals from being apart of stereotypes that society sees them as and the programs lead them to becoming an aspect greater than they ever imagine whether it be the president, senator, congressmen, lawyer, doctor, an entrepreneur, etc. by starting off to encourage them to procure an education first. Our nation today is evolving, be needless to say what has not changed is our mind set so this places a halt on ever really moving forward.