Noel+D’s+2017+OpEd+Article

Americans being ignorant and expecting the whole world to revolve around them.

At first I wanted to talk about racism. But then I looked at myself in the mirror. And anyone who has ever seen me, can tell that I am 100% white with in seconds. I’ve got blue eyes, thin lips, and I’m as pale as you can get. I had to think, Is it my place to talk for people of color? I haven’t faced racism so who am I to speak on this subject. So I decided to talk about something that involves me: the ignorance and superiority white Americans feel.

Let’s begin with America’s education system. Only one semester is spent on geography. All I had to do was memorize a map for the final, which I immediately forgot. Most kids our age probably can’t even name all seven continents. In case you didn’t know them, they are: North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Antarctica, and Australia. We didn’t learn about any specific countries, nor their unique cultures, languages, and customs. On the other hand, should people even need school to know that Africa isn't all huts? That India and Sri Lanka aren’t the same thing? Or that Asia is made up of 50 other countries other than China, Japan, and Korea?

When Americans travel, they automatically assume and expect all signs to also be in English but they get furious when they see signs in SoCal in both English and Spanish, saying “They came to America so they should learn English!”. For people who travel to other countries automatically assuming everyone speaks English, is it really that hard to learn a few phrases in that country's language?? For most Americans, apparently so. Americans have an aura of superiority where they believe that everyone else should cater to their needs. Most Americans also travel to countries they don’t even respect. I know people who recently went to Mexico for vacation, sporting sombreros and drinking tequila, after they voted for Trump. People travel to Dubai, but think all Muslims are terrorists and support the recent Muslim ban. There are so many white girls who go to Chinatown to get their boba to be “kawaii” while saying that Asians can’t see. Why do we think we are so entitled to enjoy things from counties we look down upon and make fun of?

This feeling of entitlement and ignorance of cultures also leads to cultural appropriation. White girls are seen at all music festivals wearing bindis because it’s “cute” but disregard its spiritual meaning. They wear qipaos for their “aesthetic blog” completely ignoring it’s Chinese historical importance and tradition. They dress as Native Americans for Halloween because they like the feathers and bright colors, but don’t see the problem with the installation of DAPL. And I’m tired with people being able to get away with stuff like this. It’s 2017 for God’s sake! Get your head out of your ass.

But as I have already stated, am I, as a white person, overstepping my boundaries? Idk???? I want to do what I can and speak out when someone says something racist. I want to help, but I don’t want my voice to be louder than POC. And I’m not trying to come off as someone who is highly educated in all cultures, because I am certainly not. I can admit that I still have a lot to learn. But I am trying to be the best white person I can be. And I encourage you all to learn something new about a country, even better if it is not in Europe and a dominant language isn’t English. If you can’t think of one, I’m gonna try Argentina, so feel free to join me.