Let’s be honest

\We all have those topics that make us uncomfortable to hear or talk about—maybe something pertaining to a troubled home life, endured violence, academic or financial struggles, a failed relationship (the list, mind you, could go on endlessly). The variety among the possible troubles one may encounter in life is near-limitless, yet the common points which they all have are that they carry with them pain, and that, were someone there to help at the time we dearly wish that they in some way would have. Right?

Right. No arguing on this point. Even in our moments of most intense distrust and spite towards others, we still, beneath all of it, wish in some way for someone to approach us, tell us that what is happening to us is wrong, tell us that they understand—so let’s be honest, St. A’s. What troubles you? Where have you felt abandoned in life? When have you felt most alone, most overlooked, most invisible when all of life seemed to shatter around you? We’ve all been there in some form or another.

Just as importantly—when have you last gone to someone else whom you saw was suffering? When did you last strive to help them make a change, or at least let them know that you see their pain, that you know it is a real and valid struggle?

So, let’s be honest about one of the biggest problems we all like to kick under the rug: racial discrimination. It exists, it is still around, and it is still a massive issue—and it’s right here with us every day.

Most higher education institutions in the United States profess their so-called “diversity,” hoping to appear open and accepting. Granted, one cannot simply judge the truthfulness of such a statement by merely looking at the number of “students of color (Saint Anselm College states that 9% of the current freshman class is “of color”—that’s not a large percentage, boys and girls),” for it is always possible that more Caucasian students apply than do any other.

However, the simple fact that we still feel the need to point out the racial representation of our student body is frightening and speaks to the discrimination at hand. A UCLA student recently made a video depicting the injustice in the fact that African Americans are so harshly underrepresented at that particular university, yet the school claims to be diverse even though it, for the most part, only accepts those “students of color” for their sports teams. I won’t accuse Saint Anselm College of anything here, but the fact remains that this continues to be a struggle felt by people every single day, and for the most part we overlook it, we accept it—as a silly statistic, as though those numbers don’t represent actual people.

Why do we feel the need to state that 9% of the freshman class is constituted by “students of color?” Why does it matter? Why can’t we just say “students are students are students,” regardless of skin color? Why are we so hung up on this fact? Morgan Freeman once wisely said that the only way to stop racism is to stop talking about it—don’t inform people of those percentages—don’t treat people like just a number, just a way to make yourself look good in your supposed altruism; treat people as people. You’re not being open-minded and accepting if you feel the need to inform the world of that fact.

So as uncomfortable as it is to talk about, as distressing as it is to acknowledge, we must see that this is an issue that continues to present itself as a struggle. We must see it, be able to reach out to people, and be aware enough to fix it correctly in a lasting way—because that is by no means what we are accomplishing now.