The Unheard Cry

The Unheard Cry

In the October 24th, 2005 issue of Newsweek Magazine, the article "The Value of The Outsider" written by columnist Anna Quindlen, illuminates the significance of women in positions of power in the United States and laments the lack of more women in charge. However, discrimination in America is not just aimed against women; it targets all minority citizens. Mexicans, Blacks, along with Asian-Americans feel the Brunt of prejudice in America. Acts of discrimination continue to rob our society of talent, energy, and leadership. Minorities have not only contributed to America, they helped create it. For this reason, we must stop stereotyping minorities and encourage them and their ideas for a better future for all of us.

One of the most attacked groups of minorities in our society is the, African-Americans. Enslaved and repressed since the early 1700s, they have come from being slaves under the control of the "white man" to becoming, legal equals to him. Before and after the days of Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks, African-Americans have strived to gain a certain sentence of equality. Though, are they really equal? Dictionary.com defines "equality" as: "the state or quality of being equal; correspondence in quantity, degree, value, rank, or ability." We say that America stands for equality and all are welcome here. However, Fox News reported last year 2.2 million Mexican immigrants were shut out at the border. 2

Most people of color including Mexican-Americans, in America are positively contributing to every aspect of American culture. In the August 6th, 2006 issue of USA Today, the article "Immigration In America" written by Frank McDougal states that minorities have broken through the walls of discrimination to change and grow everything from our music to agriculture . One of the most influential and important persons in America is the govener of New Mexico Bill Richerdson who is a Inative American. Not to mention the African American culture has influenced our social style. They help enrich our very existence, all the while contributing to the gross national product through minority's achievements in corporate America. For example, not only did Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. help the black right movements but he also was an Icon to all that sought freedom and equality. To this day he is still looked upon as a symbol of how one mans determination can change the world. As Opera quotes, "Martin Luther King said not everybody can be famous, but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service. So my philosophy