OP-ED: A War From Within

By Amber Gaskins

Photo: The Resurrection Project

THERE IS a divide between races in America. There always has been, which is unfortunate because no one should be judged by the color of their skin. Especially because it is not something anyone can control. It is simply how we are born.

As we have seen there have been families torn apart, broken, concentration camps built, even deaths caused by ICE. There is power in discrimination and that should not be the case. It is everywhere and as much as we would like to live in the clouds, this is not something we can be blind to. It is everywhere and it is dangerous. Americans already have to worry about inflation, debt, healthcare, civil rights issues, you name it. Now we have to fear being taken away from our own homes?

In this current era of America, we need to stick together more than ever, simply to

survive. As you may have seen on the news or your favorite social media platforms, ICE is now detaining African American Citizens in Chicago. Trump himself said it is “war from within.” We already knew that detaining innocent immigrants was a crime within itself, but now it is being pushed further. This is a full on race war. However, it is never too late to stand for something and use your privilege to fight back.

Brown Berets and Black Panthers in Oakland, 1968. Photo: Jeffrey Blankfort

The Black and Brown community has always been strong, but we are stronger together. Just look at what the Black Panthers did for their community. Then the Brown Berets formed and were able to do great things for their community. Now I encourage you to search up articles and read about the changes they were able to make together, see how much more powerful the forces were side by side. The pictures alone radiate their own power.

Has this inspired you yet? To be on the right side of history? To take action for the people you know and care about? Let the people of the day set aside whatever differences we may have and take action. It is truly important that the people have power before we enter a dictatorship.

I know this is my own short opinion/think piece, but I hope it was enough for a positive shift in your mind and judgement.

Let us reclaim America.