Laura's Corner

In reading the above four sentences, which words do we focus on primarily?  White, black Hispanic and Asian.  In today’s culture, we are taught, first and foremost, to focus on the ethnicity of whoever is the subject of the crime.   

The media has caused us to be segregated and gives us “good” reasons to be prejudice against one another.  When society hears a story regarding “A young black or white male”, it may cause you to believe it may be followed with a negative action.  In lieu of following the verb (action word) in each sentence we continue to bring to light the exact reason for division within cultures today.

When it comes to crime and violence, does skin color really matter?  It is because of television and radio that we focus initially on the color of the perpetrator.  Once again, we forgo looking at the latter half of the statement. 

A young white male was charged with an assault of a teen girl.  Let me rephrase.  A young WHITE male was charged with an assault of a teen girl.  A young black male was charged with assault with a deadly weapon.  Rephrase once more, a young BLACK male was charged with assault with a deadly weapon.   The color of skin is initially the first item focused upon, which then carries over into our personal misconceptions of others.

How about we take a look at the latter part of the sentences, “assault of a teen girl”, and “assault with a deadly weapon?”  We are so busy looking at the skin color we ignore the innocent victims within the stories.

In lieu of utilizing skin color, why not just utilize the age and sex of the individual in question?   Instead of utilizing skin color, let’s stick to the basics.  Let us begin to refer to the accused as a 17 year old male, 15 year old female, 45 year old man, 50 year old woman.  When it comes to crime, whether it was done by a white, black, Hispanic or Asian teen, woman or man, it matters very little to the individual who has suffered at the hands of his or her attacker. 

It is time to forgo giving media attention to those who cause harm.  We must begin to focus instead on the health and well being of whomever has had their life disrupted.  It matters very little to the man, woman or child who lost his or her life at the hands of another.  Whether the accused was black, white, or Hispanic, the truth is this; A MAN, WOMAN OR CHILD LOST THEIR LIFE AT THE HANDS OF ANOTHER.  It matters very little to the rape victim that her attacker was black, white or Hispanic.  What matters is that A RAPE VICTIM SUFFERED AT THE HANDS OF ANOTHER. 

Media must begin to forgo the notoriety that criminals strive for and say the minimum amount necessary.   We as a nation will begin to heal when racial lines are undivided.  Let us begin today.