The ugly truth about race

The unconstitutional and excessive favoritism towards white people must come to an end

COMMENTARY BY CRISTEL CANTARERO, STAFF WRITER

White privilege has shaped our country since Christopher Colombus colonized America. Since then, people of color have been forced to deal with undeniable injustices. Nonetheless, it is no secret that many white people experience privilege due to their race and commonly, the social class they are often associated with.

In 2019, actress Lori Loughlin, best known for her role as Aunt Becky on Full House, was arrested for cheating her daughter’s way into the University of Southern California (USC). Loughlin, a rich Caucasian woman, is only facing two months in jail. On the other hand in 2011, Kelley Williams-Bolar, a Black mother enrolled her daughter in an elementary school using a fake address, given that she was homeless a t the time. She now faces 12 years in prison. According to ABC News, when she was asked to pay a $30,000 fine, sheresponded that she did not “think they wanted money. They wanted [her] to be an example.” The only outstanding differences between Loughlin and Williams are money and race.

Moreover, Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-yearold white male, traveled to a different state to attend a Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest with an illegal possession of an M&P Rifle. With this rifle, he shot and killed three protestors. Police did nothing to stop Rittenhouse — even with bystanders shouting that he was the shooter, police let him continue to walk around the protest and even offered him water.

“We all do stupid things at 17,” Donald Trump Jr. said in an interview with Extra, a statement undermining Rittenhouse’s actions. Somehow freely shooting is justified, but Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old Black boy who was playing with a toy gun, was fatally shot and killed by Cleveland police officers within seconds of arriving at the scene. Once again, the pattern between race and privilege is undeniable.

Fortunately, some are using their White privilege for good. Major celebrities like Selena Gomez and Gigi Hadid gave their platforms to Black creators to share their stories and experiences with racism. During BLM protests, White protestors would form a wall in front of Black protesters while giving speeches in hopes of preventing police officers from shooting rubber bullets.

“I feel like it is difficult for certain White people to believe White privilege is real because they refuse to acknowledge the fact that in our nation, it is easier to lead a prosperous life as a White individual than an African American one,” junior Lawrence Stampino-Strain said.

Miami has had multiple protests where white cops have been unreasonably brutal and barbaric towards peaceful protestors of color. One example is Alaa Massri, a peaceful protestor who was arrested. Male cops proceeded to take off her hijab, take her mugshot pictures and publish them. Despite this horrific encounter, she has continued to attend protests and raise awareness.

"When people from all backgrounds come together and show their unity and solidarity for one cause, it applies pressure to the people in power," Massri said.

Students under 18 who are unable to vote can still contribute by spreading awareness. They can listen to stories of discrimination from Black people, educate themselves and inform people about the existing injustices in our country.

Students can sign petitions organized by activists on TikTok. Students can also contact people in power. Demanding justice proves to the government that the country is serious about change. As a country, we must collectively do everything in our power to amplify the voices of people of color (POC) during this period of civil unrest.