I Too Am America

I, Too, Am America

by kooshla

America, the melting pot of the world, and yet its different races have

so much trouble melding together. According to statistics, in all probability,

I have a higher chance than any other race teenager of not graduating from high

school. By stereotype, all I do is eat fried chicken, sell drugs, and play

basketball. In society, I might work twice as hard as the next man and not get

the promotion. I am a part of the percentage who chooses to defy the

probability, break the stereotype, and change society. I, Too, Am America.

Unfortunately, in my experience through junior and senior high, the

common black attitude towards education has been one of neglect. Not caring

about one “F,” or the other, careening through high school with a gpa of 1.5.

However, there are those who really care about their grades, earning the respect

of their peers and friends. I strive to be in the latter group, so that I can

better myself. For every black student who makes that extra effort, that better

grade, there will be another person who becomes more enlightened to the facts

and not the fiction of black life in America. In the act of improving my mind,

I am not only helping myself but furthering the cause for complete equality

throughout the nation.

As part of America’s black youth, I must grow up in a world of racism,

no matter what supposed “huge steps” have been made. It is up to me not to use

this as an excuse but as an obstacle to surmount. In my lifetime I will be

faced with prejudice which may hinder my progress. This opposition must not be

met with excuses for substandard work, or inadequate job qualification. It must

be met with a serious work ethic, justly qualified applicants, and intelligence

so not to be denied for any reason. Through this procedure black people will

gain equality and vanquish the racist mentality. I will be one of those people

to meet the adversary with full force of mind.

I am a black teenager who plays soccer and tennis. Sometimes I am

ridiculed for playing these sports by other blacks. I also face ridicule when I

make good grades and care about my school work. There will be times when I will

have to fight against my own race to get where I want to be in life. My high

school career is one of those times. I am and will continue to be myself. I

will not stray from my path. Without education and self-respect the black

youth are being held down by themselves. I and others like me struggle for

change, but it will take more than our struggle to change an entire nation.

“I, Too, Am America?” I am part of the intelligent, strong generation

that will one day run this country. I am part of the heartfelt, determined

black youth which will one day end the racist mentality. I am true to my

obligation by being myself, educating myself, and standing for what I believe in.

“I, Too, Am America?” I and others like me are the heart, body, and soul of

what America is, should be, and will be.