Hatred
By: Charlie Acri
In today’s world people would like to say racism is nonexistent, however this is far from true. Racism occurs all the time in the world and it is truly a sad and outrageous thing that just continuously occurs while nobody does anything to change this. Very recently in a town not far from Winnetka called Naperville, there was an incident in a restaurant that demonstrated a very sad and angering situation. A white couple sat down in a Buffalo Wild Wings to enjoy a nice meal however, they didn’t feel comfortable eating in the same room with a group of African Americans trying to celebrate a birthday party. This is just one very saddening situation for many because there is no place on this earth for these types of actions. Not only that the couple asked the workers for the group of African Americans to be moved but I believe that the workers actually went through with this and decided to ask the group of African Americans to switch tables. These are just sickening actions, and rightfully so these workers were fired from their jobs. Overall this demonstrates that in today’s world some white Americans still believe that they have some type of ‘superiority’ over African Americans.
In the book Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates he goes through many experiences where hate is directed at him or his family, in a similar way to this situation at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Naperville Illinois. Coates accurately describes hate as, “Hate gives identity”.(60) Certain actions define and shape a person’s identity, everything people do contribute to your overall identity and beliefs. A certain example of a time hate is directed towards Coates is when a white man tells him, “I could have you arrested”(94). This shows the type of hatred Coates had to live through, and the fear he had for him and his family’s life each and every day. This quote directly relates to the white man thinking he is in a way ‘better’ than Coates. Secondly, some very important words from Coates, “In America, it is traditional to destroy the black body”(103). Coates has gone through so many hatred acts, and this has led to him believing that everyone is trying to ‘destroy’ the black body. His past experiences have caused Coates to self-confess to living in fear constantly because of the hatred he endures each and every day. Lastly, not only was there hatred only towards Coates but to the entire African American community. The result of hatred to other African Americans in Coates’s community had a devastating effect on Coates and his overall safety in the streets, “Your life is so very different from my own”(21). Coates by using the word ‘Your’ he is implying white males. Coates says that because he is trying to get the point across of how hard his life truly is. Coates main goal in this book is for the reader to understand what it’s like to be in his shoes. The scarring and very saddening moments Coates goes through each and every day as a drastic effect on him.
Finally, in this world it is still a very sad place with many upsetting incidents that occur each and every single day. Constantly we see examples of white Americans still believing they have some sort of ‘power’ over African Americans and this needs to change. Coates has suffered traumatizing events that many white Americans will never understand. Do you blame Coates for living in fear? How can you blame him for all the traumatizing events. I totally understand where Coates is coming from and totally think it is very understandable for him to live in fear when his life is put on the line each and every day. The last thought I can leave you with is, think about the identity you would give yourself, do you ever direct hatred towards someone else? Hatred is very powerful and unnecessary in today’s world. All I can say is try and be the most respectful and kind person you can be because that will go a long way.
