Viewpoint: Rudra Aryal – History, humanity and unity
Published: 01-16-2025 11:01 AM |
In the history of humankind, slavery is one of the darkest chapters. Many individuals all over the world profited from the dehumanization of millions of Africans, including Europeans, African leaders, British colonizers and Americans.
While its historical impact is undeniable, we must approach this painful legacy with sensitivity, fairness and a focus on promoting unity rather than division.
Continuously blaming any group, such as all white people, for slavery's injustices will be historically prejudiced and counterproductive. Slavery was a complex system shaped by the actions of individuals and societies across racial and geographic lines. For instance, slavery was also prevalent in parts of Asia, including Nepal and India, where it existed within the same racial and cultural groups.
Nepal, a small and developing nation, has also a dark history of bonded labor systems like “Kamaiya” and “Haliya,” which trapped marginalized communities, especially Tharus and Dalits, in cycles of debt and servitude. Although officially outlawed, these practices persisted openly in rural areas until the recent years.
In America, the abolition of segregation and the fight for civil rights saw support and leadership from people of all races, including white legislators and citizens. This reality underscores the need to focus on accountability for historical systems rather than blaming contemporary communities.
As a brown immigrant from Nepal to the United States, I have witnessed the kindness and humanity of people from all backgrounds. My professors, colleagues, students, landlords and community members – many of whom were white – have played pivotal roles in my academic and professional success. My daughter was elected class president in her high school in a predominantly white class, reflecting the openness and fairness I have experienced here.
However, I have also encountered ignorance. A few years ago, as my brown friends and I were walking through downtown Manchester, a group of individuals shouted racist remarks at us, saying, “Go home, guys. Why are you walking here?” Their words could have filled us with anger and feelings of outrage, but instead, we chose a different path.
We paused, gathered our thoughts, and discussed their behavior – not their skin color --understanding that ignorance knows no racial boundaries. In that moment, we chose forgiveness over bitterness, offering a sincere prayer for their hearts to be filled with kindness and understanding.
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The media often amplifies divisions by framing narratives around race in a way that increases polarization. Headlines such as “Black man shot by white officer,” “White suspect attacks brown victim” or “Black man shoots white man” oversimplify complex issues and fuel mistrust. This type of reporting highlights individuals to their skin color instead of addressing the underlying circumstances or systemic factors.
The media have a profound responsibility to prioritize neutrality by focusing on the facts of incidents instead of perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Biased presentations should be prohibited. Media outlets need to change their tone; reporting should include the names of the participants involved in such incidents rather than highlighting their race.
A profound truth in science is that skin color accounts for only 12 to 13% of our physical makeup. Beneath the surface, we are overwhelmingly alike – over 85% of our components, such as blood and organs, unite us more than the pigment of our skin divides us.
Our shared humanity is far more significant than our differences. However, society continues to struggle with this superficial distinction, contributing to a lack of knowledge and division. The words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. remind us of a higher calling: to judge one another not by the color of our skin but by the content of our character. His dream remains a powerful inspiration as we confront the complexities of our past and present.
However, progress requires more than rhetoric; it demands action. Political leaders must work to empower marginalized communities from the ground up, addressing systemic inequalities and developing opportunities for all.
Education plays a vital role in this process. There must be a bottom-to-top approach to policies, not a top-to-bottom approach. Teaching the full scope of history – its injustices and the resilience of those who fought against them – can cultivate understanding and empathy among future generations.
Ultimately, unity is the answer to division. By addressing historical injustices with sensitivity and rejecting the urge to blame entire groups, we can honor the struggles of those who came before us while building a more-inclusive future. The media, too, must embrace its role in shaping opinions, using its platform to promote empathy rather than inflaming tensions.
History teaches us that division leads to pain, while unity promotes progress. Together, we can rise above our differences and create a society where no one is judged by their skin color but by their humanity. It is time to move beyond the battle over skin, which contributes 12% of our bodies and embrace the shared spirit that binds us all.
Through understanding, compassion, and fairness, we can ensure that humanity's darkest moments are never repeated – and that its brightest possibilities are realized.
Rudra Aryal is an associate professor of physics at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge.