An Extraordinary Man

In the article by Studs Terkel, C.P. Ellis overcomes racism and personal prejudices through education and face to face interaction with blacks and other minorities. C.P. Ellis’s story is not typical. My step mom would say “He turned his brain on”. In other words he believed what he was taught without even thinking about it. Then Ellis “turned his brain on”, talked to the kinds of people he was prejudiced against, and questioned his beliefs. Ellis fought for diversity, integration of schools, and a union. Ellis did an extraordinary thing by doing all this. Not many Americans have their brains turned on which is I why I don’t think Ellis’ story could be repeated. It is a personal choice to ponder one’s culture and beliefs. I cannot make anyone believe anything. That is also why I don’t think Ellis’s story could be repeated on a much larger scale. To promote understanding and acceptance of all cultures integrating minorities, people of different religions and sexual orientations is a start. Starting a union for the protection of the working class (which largely consists of minorities) creates opportunity for success for everyone. To implement all these ideas with the goal of diversity will create change albeit small. And that is something worth striving for.