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Dear Editor:
Racism is an age old disturbance in the United States that dates back to when this country was founded. The public is exposed to it through violent protests and rallies that occur almost every other day. It is a mainstream controversial topic that has surfaced everywhere. It plays a major role in every American’s lives and it seems that nothing can be done to cease its existence. Although the concept is a baffling subject, people are encouraged to think freely about the matter on an independent basis.
In Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead,” the theme of independence centers around the novel’s protagonist, Howard Roark, who is oppressed with society’s threats and eventually prevails with his abilities as a freethinker.
Independence can be connected with today’s issue of racism for Americans who oppose it. When an individual is independent, they have the freedom to make decisions based on their judgement. Therefore, racism can be eliminated if people utilize free thinking for themselves, then stand firmly behind a belief that racial prejudice is destroying our society. Even with rejection from others, we need to stand as independents in our ideals, beliefs and values.
Americans must trust their own thinking and judgement as the only correct assumption on racism if their thinking is to be unbiased and open-minded. According to Ayn Rand’s philosophy, independence is “acceptance of the responsibility of forming one’s own judgements and of living by the work of one’s own mind” (Ayn Rand Institute). Rand’s idea should be followed solely because it is important for everyone to perceive their thoughts as truth. That is to say that in order to eliminate the dispute on cultural differences, people must not accept the corruption of racism, instead embrace differences. It is the time to be courageous, to raise awareness, and to change minds on injustice. The theme of independence in Rand’s novel deems that an individual needs only to believe and to do what is morally right, and that is nothing less than the truth.
Overall, Americans must take racism in consideration as an independent approach to make change. Racism will be combatted by individuals who seek truth based on unbiased judgement. Freethinkers can, however, be dismissed by society because of their beliefs as to what is right. Therefore, we need to free our society of stereotypes and prejudice, be free from racism, free to discern immoral discrimination as unethical. Consequently, independent thinking and action can help spread equality to replace inequality. What if our society learned the ideals and characteristics of equality, and acted upon them in order to accept different cultures and people based on freethinking?
Andrea Trotter
Beaver Local High School, Grade 11