Dear Toni Morrison

Dear Toni Morrison,
    While reading your article, “On the Backs of Blacks” I couldn’t help but feel a great deal of sadness for the future of this country.  I take concern that if we, as a collective nation, don’t place greater awareness on the narrative in which we place minority people then we will limit the ability of the United States to thrive to its greatest potential.  In our class we discussed the tendency of racial hierarchies to place white people at their apex, however, I failed to recognize that in America, the reality is that black people are consistently placed at the absolute bottom.  This as you said, “can all be subsumed as the equation of: brand X vs. blacks. So in conclusion, given the current state of affairs and the tendency of whites and others to place the blame, burdens, and negative stereotypes on black people, then what can be done to combat the negative consequences that these choices have?  With the tendency of man to promote those of his own race at the expense of others how do we make sure that no group gets shut out or marginalized to the point of new return?  Anyways, with these questions weighing on my mind, I look forward to your response.

All my best wishes,
Tatum Hall

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