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Discrimination

Do you remember when you were in middle school? I certainly do, for many, middle school was a time where you were developing true friendships, having boyfriends and girlfriends and learning who you really are. How many of you had a neighbor who you were friends with at home, but at school you ridiculed them with your friends because they were nerdy? That seems to occur many times in Middle School, and you really don't realize that you're hurting the person. You and your friends become the majority at that point and your intolerance for your un-cool friend leaves him or her feeling helpless. Eventually he or she may stand up to you and expose your secret of being friends to the popular kids you hang out with. Most likely you will then be ridiculed and be labeled an out-cast or a loser just like your neighbor. This shows is just one example of how tolerance and courage go hand in hand.

Ralph W. Sockman once said, "the test of courage comes when we are in the minority; the test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority". This profound quote can be applied to many other aspects of life. Ralph W. Sockman's quote represents the segregation laws in the 1950's and 60s, the hard work of Martin Luther King and his followers or simple things like school, friends, and your morals of what is right and wrong. This quote is stating that you need to be courageous and face adversity when you're in the minority. It's a statement against violence because it's saying that if you are in the minority you should face what you believe in courageously and if you're the majority you need to be tolerant of those who you may not always agree with.

September 23, 1957 was no ordinary day for The "Little Rock Nine". Little Rock Central High School, like many schools across the country, was becoming segregated. That morning, that was supposed to be their first day of school, the students were not allowed in. Angry protestors harassed and assaulted the 9 along with the Arkansas National Guard and the police. Although they were scared the nine didn't give up. The right to an equal education had been granted to African American students in 1954. This law ruled that segregation was illegal. Although it was illegal it wasn't always followed through, especially in the south where Jim Crow laws ruled. Segregationists decided to fight back, not only in the courtroom, but also on the streets where they assaulted or killed any African Americans or their supporters who spoke out against segregation. Much of the Civil Rights Movement was focused on education. Education would help African Americans to get better jobs and to gain influence in American Society. When the Little Rock nine finally entered the school the next day, they entered through a side door, but once again when the protestors found out that they were inside violence exploded. They didn't give up though, the next day the entered Central High with President Eisenhower's State Troops. This was only the beginning for the nine, throughout the year they faced not only verbal but physical assaults from white students. These 9 wouldn't give up. The following May, Ernest Green became the first African American student to graduate from Central High. The courageous action of the Little Rock Nine had helped open the door of education for African Americans across the Nation, Thus proving that when you're the minority your courage is tested, if you keep your head held high you will succeeded. Obviously the white students of Central High were not tolerant of the African American students, which just made the Little Rock Nine push forward in their quest for equality. 

This quote also rings true in the Book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch and his family, become the minority in a town where arrogance, prejudice and hypocrisy rule their lives. The protagonist of the novel, Atticus Finch, becomes involved with poor whites of the community, like Walter Cunningham, who is a framer with many children, and very little education, as well as deprived blacks, like Tom Robinson. He has clear-cut values and tries to influence his children into being as empathetic and trustworthy as he is. He does not care about what people say about his actions; because he is stead fast in his believes of equality and liberty. Atticus is primarily concerned for the welfare of his community, which for him includes whites as well as blacks. The story takes place in Maycomb Alabama where a, young African American man named Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a young girl who lives in town who is very poor and lives with her abuses father and many brothers and sisters. Mayella claims that Tom Robinson came into her house, attacked her, and then raped her. Throughout the hearing Atticus shows his empathy and courage in presenting a convincing case for the jury to challenge Mayella Ewell's testimony. Unfortunately Atticus loses because in this racist town, to acquit a young black man would have caused an outrage. While Atticus is preparing an appeal Tom tries to escape from prison and is shot in the back and killed. The main theme in this novel is that of black slavery, it's abolition and the subsequent lack of its acceptance in the southern community.

Another example of people being in the minority is Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. At the beginning of the book, the reader sees how far racism has distorted Maya's reality. Maya believes that by wearing a dress she was going to look 'like one of the sweet little white girls who were everybody's dream of what was right with the world. Because of the blatant racism that Maya faced and the hard life that a black child led, she was made to think that white people were better than black people. She grew up in a time in which race and appearance were very important and truly made a difference in how people treated you. The lack of tolerance and pure hatred for African Americans angered Maya so much that she had to do something. She decided to write her memoirs, and became an accomplished writer with her books being read in schools across the country. The courage that came from growing up in a racist town, allowed Maya to become a strong African American woman.

So, the next time your in the majority, think about what your saying and doing to someone, maybe you'll realize that it's wrong, Perhaps you won't, but if you think about what your doing and put yourself in the other person's shoes, you will truly know what it feels like to be the minority. Remember, when you are the majority, your tolerance level of others that don't have your views depends on your attitude, this level of tolerance towards a person and their ideas shows your character as a person. So live courageously, and always remember, that the test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority; and the test of courage comes when we are in the minority.

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