Gabriela Ortiz
English 1B
Professor Lennon
February 23, 2011
The Rosewood massacre was a violent, racially motivated conflict that took place during the first week of January 1923 in rural Levy County, Florida, United States. "Rosewood was a quiet, primarily black, self-sufficient whistle stop on the Seaboard Air Line Railway. Spurred by unsupported accusations that a white woman in nearby Sumner had been beaten and possibly raped by a black drifter, white men from nearby towns lynched a Rosewood resident. When black citizens defended themselves against further attack, several hundred whites combed the countryside hunting for black people, and burned almost every structure in Rosewood. Survivors hid for several days in nearby swamps and were evacuated by train and car to larger towns. Although state and local authorities were aware of the violence, they made no arrests for the activities in Rosewood. The town was abandoned by black residents during the attacks." This being Black History month I can appreciate more of why we have a month to reflect and remember the people who fought for a place and a number in this country. Watching the film there was a flashback of what I had learned during the course of the years, and seeing the impacting images such as the lynching, burning, rape, and the harsh treatment by the whites, I was numb but motivated to educate and make a positive influence to the next generation, our children. It is crucial to educate on how to become active citizens who advocate social justice. In order to achieve this goal I feel it is important to focus on this specific historical topic relative to social injustice.
The worst part of the history of slavery is the long lasting effect it has had on the relationship between races. Slavery ended but not the resentment between these two races. It seems in every arrest, promotion, etc where a black man is bested by9 a white man, he will blame it on racism. In the same turn, if a white man is bested by a black man, he will say it's because of a quota. Yes, we're equal but we don't feel equal. There is just too much animosity built up over too many years. We are lacking in trust of each other.In a country that now has equal rights, you would think that there would no longer be racial prejudices. We are a country of equal rights but reacting to a past of hatred and prejudices. No one seems to trust the other and afraid to let go of a past that no longer exist. We have no excuses anymore to continue with this silent war. It is time to stop with the accusations from both races. We must feel proud of all people and move to the future and leave the past behind.
Let us be the generation who finally educates and moves out of the past and steps forward to a newer and brighter future that unites all men and women as one of equality. Many had the courage to fight the evils to gain the rights now afforded to all so now we must be just as courageous to secure those rights and move forward united. It is important to know that each of us can make a difference, educate our children and the people around us who are still closed minded, making a positive influence on them. Slavey has shaped the way we live today.
Educating our children can advocate social injustice and slowly become less ignorant on the subject of inequality. Making a positive influence can slowly re-change our society, I personally had to open my eyes and become more aware of the subject and now I believe we can still do something about it and not just ignore what happens everyday. I've been positively influenced to move forward and show other to do so as well. Lets not forget our past, but leave it behind, and learn from it. The story of Rosewood impacted and made me aware that society still needs to be educated. It is never to late.
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