In journalism, it is not a common occurrence for a writer to include any personal information that pertains to him or herself in an article?we as journalists would rather print the news than be the object of its affection. However, in response to the belligerent comments and letters referring to the article I wrote in the Feb. 14 issue of the Hornet on pride applying to all students on campus, a certain aspect of my life shall be set in your view.

Many of the letters and comments written by black students dictated to me the idea that I cannot have an opinion on black oppression because I am not 100 percent black and therefore don?t suffer the full extent of the social injustice that blacks endure daily. I believe that argument is a gateway to a horrific and dangerous country, for it opens the door for uncountable acts of discrimination and hate, some even upon you. Has Black History Month taught us nothing?

Furthermore, experience is not the only thing that gives us a right to an opinion. Like many, I have also faced unfathomable amounts of racism growing up, except in my case it has come from both sides of the color barrier. My twin brother, Luke, and I went to an all-white public school where we were referred to as many different racist terms every day of our lives for nearly 12 years.

The situation was so bad that the faculty advised us to attend another school because every day we fought to be treated as people. Did you witness your own brother undergoing suspension 42 times in sixth grade alone for defending himself physically, simply because of his race? Have you ever seen the videos of young black boys straightening their hair so they could appear more white to their peers?

That is my story.

In my first year of high school, I had some white peers referring to me as n—– and wanting to fight me, while my black peers disowned me, saying, “that?s not a brother.” I could spout off on six pages of the social injustice I received from both sides?sometimes being half is worse than getting the whole deal. At least you had a people to support you. I have seen the oppression, so how can you claim I have no right to an opinion about it?

Because of my childhood, I have never identified with either white or black, for while I grew up, they both disowned me. Thus I have a perspective where I can see both sides of a coin.Yes, I have an opinion. I know of a beautiful word in the English language: love. This word is what gives us the liberty to be free, to have an opinion and to be someone.

So don?t focus only on race instead of the important issues?people all around the world are starving and we don?t have the love to stop the race war between ourselves and focus on retaining life.

So much conversation was given on how we need to unify the black man, but I cry, let us unify the mankind. Do we dwell on the saying “black is beautiful?” No, we start there and move on, thus giving ourselves the chance to take heed and say, “America is beautiful.”

Joshua Wood is an undeclared student and can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].