The Idea of Race

Okay so guys I wrote this speech for English class and wanted to ask what you think... Please comment with any IMPROVEMENT IDEAS!!!

The Idea of Race

By: Isis Toldson       

Specific Purpose: To show how racism exists, my experience with it and why/how it must be stopped.
Central Idea: Racism is wrong and race is non existent. There is only one race; human, all others are man made.
Introduction: August 28, 1955 at 2:30 a.m one of the most shame filled and disturbing murders of a black teen took place. It was the murder of 14 year old Emmett Louis Till, who if born in 2000 would have been five months and twenty-eight days younger than me. Like most 14 year old boys he was playful and full of laughter… but on August 24th a teenage boys simple whistle became more than just play and four days later he was found swollen, bloody, tortured, beaten and strapped with barbed wire to a metal fan at the bottom of the Tallahatchie River. His killers who later, protected by the fifth amendment freely bragged about the torture of the boy who whistled were released of all charges despite the towering amount of evidence, and death greedily claimed the life and joy of a mothers only child. But this sweet child’s memory was never to die and was honored when all men where recognized as equal. The case was reopened decades later and all of the accused were found guilty. Now 59 years later it is threatened by the seemingly growing since of hatred and fear in the American people. Hello everyone my name is Isis Toldson, and I stand before you not as a black girl who's righteous zeal is going to change the world, but as a 14 year old kid with a lot to say. I have an incomplete story to write and a promising future to forge.
As a child I was what I like to call color blind. Not to mock anyone with this vision impairment, but I never had and never have since asked, “Why is she or he black or white?” I noticed difference, but never saw race any other distinguishing factor as an issue. That is simply because I have been aware of this one fact, this fact that has been etched into my mind and will stay etched there today and forever… there is no “race” but human. In an article titled “Race- The Power of an Illusion” a Anthropology News-letterman born in 1930 by the name of Audrey Smedley spoke about the quote on quote “need” of pro-slavery activist to create a distinguished social identity for African slaves. In the article she states that “proslavery forces found it necessary to develop new arguments for defending the institution. Focusing on physical differences, they turned to the notion of the natural inferiority of Africans and thus their God-given suitability for slavery.” But an important term in my family is the imagodie which is latin for “in the image of God” which is how the bible states Adam the first man was created. It is the basis for all human dignity. This idea says that black or white, cross eyed or one legged, we were created in the image of one whose beauty is astounding.
As a preteen I went from color blind to ignorant of racism all together. Until one day when I was in sixth grade; I was in Ms.McCray's 6th grade English class and our class was reading “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry”, it was a very inspiring story about a African American family during the Great Depression Era in the Antebellum South where racism was still very prominent. In one chapter a man is even tarred and feathered! This story was a rude awakening because I had always seen racism as an undisturbed part of the past. It was to be ignored, but later that day after class some of the same derogatory and degrading terms used in the book were now evident in the conversations in my schools very hallways. As kids it was what is called hipster racism, but when you look deeper you see the roots; hatred, of self and others.
As a teen I’d like to say that I like many others am not color blind, but color brave. conversations about racism are to be addressed not ignored and freedom is hard fought. Whether it is hipster racism or pure hatred it must not be tolerated. We must teach love, we must never forget those so young and so vibrant who have lost their lives to the knife of hatred and racism. Remember the mothers who will never hear the sound of their sweet child’s laugh again, see the sun shining off of their face as they beg for just five more minutes, smell their dirty socks or feel their warm body cocooned in a lasting hug. Remember the first tears, first smiles and first steps. And remember their last breath so sharp and cold. Remember those who live in their stead fighting for freedom and chance to be seen, be heard, and be known. Remember the next generation that is watching and waiting and remember those who died for what is right. Thank you.