There is a long history of racism against African Americans in the United States of America. Presently, there is major division taking place from times past. Four hundred years ago was not long ago with the stench of slavery in America.
The African American slaves were transported from Africa to America. Upon their arrival, the African American males were castrated, hung and murdered. The African American females were raped, demoralized, brutality beaten and other horrific acts that were unknown. Ethical laws needed to be implemented in order to improve the quality of life for African American citizens in the United States of America.
The Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964, in hope for African American citizens to have an equal opportunity in life. This was 56 years ago from today. It is amazing how history repeats itself, and here we are again talking about race relations. Currently, racism has continued to be a bone of contention and has taken a different form. Racism is in our public and private sector organizations, K-12 schools, colleges, universities and athletic sports.
Example: In high schools, African American students can play athletic sports and there is very little discrimination displayed on the teams he or she play on. The coaches need the student-athletes to perform at their highest level in the sports they play to win games. However, when the African American male or female student-athletes become adults, attend and graduate from an institution of higher education, earning advance degrees, their desire is to have similar opportunities and successes in a career, as he or she did playing athletic sports.
Why is there fear of African American male and female leadership in organizations? My assumption is not all but some Caucasians fear that we as African Americans in leadership positions will abuse our leadership authority because we were once slaves in the past. This is very untrue. From my personal experience, we just want an opportunity to breathe, survive and thrive in order to live a respectable life. This is not an easy task in the year 2020.
From my life experiences, after graduating from Florida A&M University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, I strongly did not want to move back home to Lakeland. But I needed to return home to take care of my parents, because they enabled me to be successful in my endeavors. I knew the job opportunities were bleak, but I had to make positive choices in order to have a sustainable career.
A diverse culture of community leaders provided opportunities for me to advance my career, and I thank you very much. I commend the City of Lakeland Commission and other community organizations for having race relations forums. The discussions were very much needed for African American citizens to be heard. However, I do understand that this is an election year, and candidates from far and wide want to have a discussion on race relations among African American citizens. Especially when the incumbent officials never approved or voted on legislation to decrease culture division.
All citizens, in order to make an impact and positive change, you must vote. Before you vote for a candidate in the current election, review their legislation, ordinances, resolutions, House Bills (HB), Senate Bills (SB) and other laws he or she have voted on in the past. Those laws should reflect on how citizens are working together instead of being divided.
Good ethical leadership is demonstrated from the top management positions. On Capitol Hill, leadership needs to be demonstrated to bring all cultural groups together. This is how you determine good laws and ethical leadership by closing the gap among cultural groups.
In conclusion, Black is a color, African American citizens are human beings.
Shandale Terrell is an educator for K-12 Polk County Public Schools, a civic leader in Lakeland, Polk County and the state of Florida.
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