What would a prejudice-free, highly respected
community look like?
Dillon Wilfong
Troubling things are happening all around us, and much of this is due to the fact that some people feel they are not understood or respected. We don’t live in a perfect world, but if we did, people would have a desire to understand each other, regardless of their beliefs, their style, their accents, their economic level, and the color of their skin.
In a prejudice-free community separate areas of cultures and races wouldn’t exist. Instead, people from all walks of life would be integrated and have more chances to understand each other.
Money or possessions wouldn’t define people. Their actions and their hearts would determine how they are respected.
The social activities and community center would be open to everyone. Fees to participate would be based on their ability to pay. Just because someone may have a lower salary or is unable to work shouldn’t mean they’re excluded from certain opportunities.
All groups would be represented in the government that makes decisions for the people. The police, the firefighters, and all government representatives would be made up of people from all denominations, races, ages, and gender. How can we expect people to respect and obey others when they don’t have a role in the decision-making?
All religions would accept and try to understand each other for who they are rather than think their religion is more meaningful or better than another. Temples, churches, masques would all still exist and would give a chance for others to learn the way they live.
Last but certainly not least, we come to the schools. My classmates come from all corners of the world, meaning they come from different cultures. For example, the 5th graders at North
Glendale Elementary are made up of an Indian with true Indian name; two Somolians who fled a war to live here; a boy adopted from the Ukraine; a girl from China; a boy from Mexico; a boy born in Holland; a boy with Autism; a girl with Alopecia; African American and Caucasian kids who live in Glendale, Oakland, and Meacham Park. We come from all different backgrounds and beliefs and have different economic levels. Although we respect each other and enjoy having the diversity, prejudice still exists. Our lunch tables and recesses are segregated (by choice), and not all children and parents attend events and special activities.
Although we’ve come a long way to reduce prejudice in our communities, we still have a long way to go. A community cannot truly be a community if any one person is excluded.