By Bailey Garza
Student Reporter
“I think that racism is every where but I think it never was and never will be acceptable” Emma Sporleder said. Racism has always been an issue in the United States and sadly it still is.
There were and still are many brave people who have tried to fight against racism over the years. Most of them are recognized for their courageous efforts.
One of the most famous people to fight against racism and for civil rights is Rosa Parks. She is known as the African American women who bravely took a stand against racism and sat at the front of the bus.
Rosa Parks Day is coming up on December 1st which is the day she was arrested for sitting at the front of the bus. Rosa Park’s Day is an American holiday in honor of the civil right’s leader Rosa Parks. In the United States, California and Missouri celebrate the day on February 4th, which is Rosa Parks’ birthday, while Oregon and Ohio celebrate it on the day of her arrest, December 1st.
The California state legislature created Rosa Parks Day in 2000. The day was first designated in Ohio by Joyce Beaty, advocate who helped Ohio’s legislation pass to honor the late civil rights leader. The Columbus Ohio Bus System celebrates the day with a tribute to the late leader.
In 2014 the Governor of Missouri Jay Nixon proclaimed Rosa Parks day official in the state. Also in 2014 the Governor of Oregon Kitzhaber claimed that Oregon would celebrates its first Rosa Parks day.
Rosa Parks decided to take a step in the fight against racism on December 1, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama. She is still remembered today for her courageous act. Unfortunately racism is still alive.
Some students believe that racism is still alive in Alva, and on campus. “It is bad at sometimes, I was called the N-Word my first week here” student-athlete David Wright said.
Student-athlete Hirachio Smith said that most of the fights he has witnessed at parties and at the Nite Lite were because of racial slurs.
You would think that after all of these years of progress the United States has made, racism would not still be a problem. “Yes, racism is alive here, and I believe it comes most from the police force because of how they treat the black kids here” Jacob
Lance said. Student Jimmie Pace said that his neighbor once called out racial slurs at him and his roomates and even threatened their lives. “I don’t really see it on campus, but I do see it from some of the older people in the community here in Alva,” Student- Athlete Matt Briggs said.
Racism is an issue that we deal with every day. No matter what color you are; black, brown, or white. We all go through it, but hopefully one day there will be no more hate and no more racism in this country.