Seen, Heard, and Still Rising

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” (Martin Luther King). Individuals from marginalized communities have a constant battle to be recognized and to prosper despite the oppressive systems set by society. Yet their stories of resilience and determination show great strength in challenging such constraints and overcoming hate in order to acquire a sense of belonging. In Hoop Dreams, William and Arthur are two Black men who dream of escaping their circumstances through basketball, yet they are limited when it comes to opportunities as a result of systemic racism and poverty. Their pursuit of success is framed by the barriers they must overcome, much like the experiences Coates describes in Between the World and Me. Coates’ letter to his son speaks about their experience as Black Americans with racial violence, historical trauma, and the constant dehumanization from society. Both works highlight the contrast struggle marginalized communities are subjected to, and the unfortunate link between race and circumstances that society uses to determine their worth. In Will & Harper, Josh Greenbaum portrays a similar experience with being a trans person; as queer individuals navigate the challenges of being both judged, targeted, and rejected by society. The lives of these people are affected by things they cannot change, and their experiences are shaped from outward ignorance and prejudice. In many ways, they are dehumanized by a society that won’t allow them to simply exist as themselves, they’re forced to fight for the basic equality others are freely given. Even though we explore these issues through an individual lens, we can decompose all of them as an issue that has been present over generations and is still relevant today. 

I was able to notice how these works leave space for difficult conversations to happen between family members and close friends. The adversities they face set the stage for growing their awareness and understanding. There is a common theme in these stories on how no matter the form of oppression, whether racial, sexual, or both, these individuals convey immense courage and resilience as they fight to be seen and heard. Not only to be acknowledged and valued, but to be given the chance to thrive. Each of these narratives stress the urgency of recognizing and addressing the systems that limit the potential of these communities and calls for a society that nurtures rather than lowers their voices.