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Opinion

America more unified than ever before 

Ursula Hawkins
Opinion Columnist

It is no coincidence that Grey's Anatomy is one of the top-rated shows in America. The hour-long drama is highly entertaining, but part of what makes it special is that its cast is one of the most diverse on television, making it even more relevant to its American audience. 

This is just one of the many elements that represent the growing unity in America, but television news stations are too quick to run stories on racism, discrimination and other types of intolerance that occur in this country. The truth of the matter is that although this country still battles these issues on a daily basis, diversity in all aspects in the United States outweighs the prejudices that remain today. 

Yet every time an act of racism or discrimination occurs, it makes the headlines. This is not to say that we should ignore these acts or that they are not important, but many of the daily acts of unity and cultural respect for one another should be brought to light instead of always focusing on the negative. 

When the media focuses on all of the demonstrations of intolerance, they make America look like a country that is only full of prejudices, when that is not the whole story. 

One can see people of all different types of ethnic backgrounds interacting to make this country greater. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of unity and respect for all people in this country is much more of a reality than it has ever been. 

America has always been thought of as a place where parents tell their children they can be anything they want to be, but up until recently that did not seem possible for everyone. However, it is more than possible to all Americans who are willing to make their dreams come true. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, two of the most popular Democratic presidential candidates for 2008, are proof that anyone in this country, regardless of who they are and what they look like, can make dreams into reality.

Although there have been debates on whether this country is ready for a black or female president, the fact they are leading the Democratic Party hopefuls speaks volumes. 

There are more interracial friendships and romantic relationships than ever before, and people are learning how to treat people with respect even if they do not necessarily hold the same views. Sixty percent of all 18- to 29-year-olds have dated someone outside of their own race, according to a 2005 Gallup poll. But rarely do we hear about these happenings. To say we are a colorblind society is not true on any level, and if truth be told, we will never be a completely colorblind society, but America does not need to be to continue to grow in its unity. 

To ignore someone's differences is impossible, but as long as there is mutual respect for these differences, there should be no problem. 

There will always be plenty of people still holding on to narrow-minded views and stereotypes about those who are different from them -- that is something that will never change -- but there are plenty more people out there doing things every day to help unite America.

Hawkins, a communication/Spanish sophomore, 
can be reached via dccampus@mail.uh.edu