International Ethics and Justice by Kimmia

International Ethics and Justice by Kimmia - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

As a young African American female, society says that I should not be more than a single-teenage mom, who gets a job paying minimum wage, and depends on the government’s section 8 program to pay my bills. Who gets food stamps every month to provide for my children because my level of education says that I’m no better than working retail, or fast food. As a black girl, society says that I’m a rebel and I like to defy authority. As a young black girl, society has me pinned as being a someone who’s not really a someone, but more as a “someone,” with savage-like actions.
Because of these preconceived notions and ideas set forth by society, what should one expect of themselves? Where should one set the bar of standards and goals that they have? Or should they even have goals outside of what society already spoke into existence? How would one get past the stereotypical ideologies that are meant to shape their lives? How would one become more than a number in a database full of statistics that society says their friends, and family members fall into?
To answer all of these questions, I would teach a class that dealt with these injustices as well as how to become more tolerant of other races, religions, and sexualities. International Ethics and Justice, I would call it. I would teach my students that they did not have to fall victim to being what society says they are. That they can do more, be more, and positively affect change for their communities. I would address topics like gender equality, the idea of a “White America,” and the difference between believing in something versus attacking others who do not believe the same thing as them.
I believe the first step into tackling some of the problems we face internationally today, is teaching students that they do not have to agree with someone’s sexuality, religion/beliefs, etc. but they do have to respect everyone. They have to get over this “you’re not like me, so I shouldn’t respect you,” mentality. They have to overcome this because the same way that a young Muslim girl feels, is the same way that a young Jewish boy feels, and that’s the same way a young black boy feels. They all feel or have felt targeted at one point or another, and I would get them to realize that differences in color, or beliefs, or sexuality, does not define them or this self-segregation we have succumbed to.
So, if I could switch roles and become a teacher, I would teach the subject of social studies, but my curriculum would be focused on looking at societal intolerance's and teaching the importance of tolerance of each other’s differences. International Ethics and Justice, I would call it.