Feeling What it is Like to be a Minority Goes Beyond Understanding
- Christopher Ludiker
- Aug 1, 2024
- 8 min read
The beginning of my political career has been full of learning and understanding. Learning about what it means to be a minority has been a massive part of my learning. Experiencing the feeling of being a minority has strongly shifted my perspective, and it's where this story begins.
In the pursuit of knowledge, I applied to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Women's Campaign School, and I was the first male accepted into the school. I was extremely excited to be accepted into the school, and in light of this new and exciting news, I shared the news with everyone I was close with. I was met with a lot of support, but to my surprise, I was also met with disapproval. I shared the news with one person in particular, who, for the sake of his identity, we'll call John, and he had a conversation with me about the news.
The conversation between John and I consisted of him shooting a challenge and me shooting it down. When I broke the news to him, I simultaneously broke the news to him and an older gentleman. He compared me sharing the news to them, as coming out of the closet to your grandpa as gay, and that it's just something you don't do. I tried to put myself into his perspective, but I found it rather tricky, and I gave him a reply that insinuated that I didn't whole-heartedly understand the point he was trying to make. He asked why I would even apply to a women's campaign school, noting that I was a man and didn't belong there. He told me I was a veteran, so I should have applied for a veteran's campaign school. I told him that the campaign school website had a Frequently Asked Questions page and that, according to their website, the school was not exclusive to women. The school is aimed at supporting people who are underrepresented in politics. As a combat veteran, I am the type of person who is not only underrepresented in politics but who the school actively looks for. At the time that I applied, I couldn't find a veterans school that met the standards of the women's campaign school. John had told me that me being admitted into a women's campaign school could be perceived as me taking opportunities away from women. I explained to him that I had a woman make the opportunity known to me, I had a woman help put my application together, I submitted my application to a board of women, and the director of the school, Amy Kroll (who is a woman), ultimately had the say in whether or not I was to be admitted, and said yes to letting me attend the school. John told me that Amy wasn't even good at campaigning, and she didn't have the experience to teach other people about running a campaign. I explained to John that Amy wasn't teaching; instead, she was the director who organized the classes and called on the nation's best to teach the classes to us. John brought up that the school was still relatively new, and there wasn't anyone who came out of the school as someone who had won an election. I told him what he said wasn't true and that the website releases testimonials and announcements of people who run and win seats. He told me he hadn't seen them, and the conversation eventually moved away from the topic.
Before you develop your opinion of John, let me be clear that John is a good person. While you may not agree with his position, what he offered was a new and unique perspective that I had not yet thought of. I like John; he does a very good job of providing a perspective I hadn't thought of before, and I always appreciate his insight.
This encounter taught me that not everyone will be happy with the success I find, and if I want to build a career in politics, I have to be okay with that. He wasn't the first person to share his disapproval of me either.
When I got accepted into the school, all of us who were accepted into the school were put into a group chat, and we were assigned the task of creating a short video to introduce ourselves, as a way to break the ice and get to know each other before we all meet in person. One other male was accepted into the school (his name is Gustavo Ramirez), and he and I applied to the school together. When he and I uploaded our videos, I noticed that the videos everyone else posted comparatively had more reactions than the videos Gustavo and I uploaded. Some of the videos even had great engagement in a separate thread, generating excitement and fostering friendship. Gustavo had no comments under his video, and my video had a comment from someone (who I will call Ashley, for the sake of her identity) that read, "Quite unique to apply for Women Campaign School."
I don't know how Ashley meant for her comment to come across, but it hurt me. I took it personally, and it rang similar to the negative sentiment that John had shared with me. All of a sudden, I wasn't as excited to meet everyone. I had never really cared about fitting in, but this time I did. I shared my feelings and the story up to this point with my aunt and uncle about it, and they very quickly reassured me of my place in the school.
"Welcome to our world. (Women's)" my aunt said. She reminded me that someone is giving me a platform to use my voice and teaching me how to use it. This is a school that I was chosen for, and that speaks louder than any voice will. My uncle reminded me this would be a boring story if I stopped right here. I gained my confidence back and I was ready to unapologetically be a part of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Women's Campaign School.
The school had three days dedicated to in-person sessions, and the first day of me being there, before I had even attended my first class, I ran into Ashley who made a very similar comment to me in person, reminding me of the anxiousness I had going into this. Gustavo and I sat down at a table, and as more people showed up, we were surrounded by tables full of women while Gustavo and I occupied our own table. We were alone in a full room, and admittingly, we dug our own hole; instead of finding a table of women to sit with, we sat by ourselves. I didn't want to be in this position, I wanted to network and introduce myself to everyone, but I didn't feel welcome. Amy Kroll came to our table, welcomed us, and asked us what we thought. I wasted no time, without giving Gustavo the chance to speak, I let her know how I was feeling. I vaguely referenced how people did not support me being here and how I reminded myself that I was there for a reason and that I was going to give the school my full effort. She also reassured me and made me feel very welcome.
As the course went on, there were occasions where I felt singled out. Women would ask me how it felt being the only male member in the class. Women would ask me how I felt when instructors came and talked to us, referring to all of us as women. Women would ask me how comfortable I was. Some women questioned why I was even there. The questions were innocent, but I felt like they were a constant reminder that I was different from everyone else. This isn't a reminder I want to have when I aim to feel included amongst a group of brilliant, inspiring, and impactful women. Whenever I wasn't actively engaged in a conversation, I felt like I was being watched. I felt like I needed to be careful and pay attention to everything I say and do, something I wasn't used to doing.
By the end of the three days, I felt included. I felt like I belonged, and it was a feeling I worried wasn't going to manifest. I even broke bread with Ashley, and we talked about an issue close to us and were able to connect through our research. Even as we continue to progress through the school, I feel included.
After reflecting on my experience, I shared my thoughts and feelings with people who regularly experience the effects of being a minority in the United States. I learned through self-reflecting on my experience that I got a very small feeling of what it means to be a minority for a brief moment. I was a minority amongst women who know what it's like to be a minority, and I was a part of a safe environment, a feeling very far from the white privilege I have had my whole life. This experience has pushed me to want to do more for BIPOC people. Beyond the ways we can achieve this, the first step is talking about the problems minorities face in America and talking with minorities about solutions we can institute to move towards a more inclusive society.
Minorities often confront systemic issues that permeate various aspects of their lives, from education and employment to healthcare and housing. These systemic barriers manifest through discriminatory practices, implicit biases, and institutional policies that disproportionately disadvantage minority groups. For instance, minority students may attend underfunded schools with fewer resources, limiting their educational opportunities and prospects. In the workplace, minorities may encounter hiring biases and unequal pay, hindering their career advancement. Healthcare disparities result in inadequate access to quality medical care, leading to poorer health outcomes. Additionally, discriminatory housing policies can restrict minorities to specific neighborhoods, perpetuating cycles of poverty and segregation. These systemic issues create an environment where minorities must constantly navigate and overcome additional challenges simply because of their identity.
Promoting equality and justice requires implementing policies that address the root causes of discrimination and inequity. Such policies might include comprehensive anti-discrimination laws that protect individuals in all spheres of life, from the workplace to education and beyond. Affirmative action programs can help to level the playing field by providing minorities with greater access to educational and employment opportunities. Additionally, criminal justice reform is crucial in addressing disparities in policing, sentencing, and incarceration rates that disproportionately affect minority communities. Policies that ensure equal access to quality healthcare and housing, along with initiatives that promote economic empowerment through grants and loans to minority-owned businesses, can also make significant strides toward equality and justice. By enacting and enforcing these policies, we can create a more just and equitable society for all.
Supporting minority-owned businesses and initiatives is a powerful way to promote economic equity and empowerment within minority communities. Consumers can make a conscious effort to patronize minority-owned companies, whether by shopping at local stores, dining at minority-owned restaurants, or utilizing services provided by minority entrepreneurs. Corporations and organizations can also contribute by diversifying their supply chains to include more minority-owned vendors and suppliers. Furthermore, providing financial support through grants, loans, and investment opportunities can help minority-owned businesses thrive and expand. Mentorship and networking opportunities are equally vital, as they can provide minority entrepreneurs with the guidance and connections needed to succeed. By actively supporting these businesses and initiatives, we can help to build more resilient and prosperous minority communities.
Fostering inclusive communities where diversity is celebrated and respected requires intentional and sustained efforts from individuals, organizations, and local governments. Education is fundamental; communities should promote awareness and understanding of different cultures, histories, and experiences through school curricula, community programs, and public events. Encouraging open dialogue about diversity and inclusion can help break down stereotypes and build mutual respect. Policies that ensure equal opportunities and equitable treatment for all residents are essential, as is representation in leadership roles within the community. Supporting cultural events and initiatives celebrating diversity can also help create a sense of belonging and pride among minority residents. Fostering an inclusive community means actively working to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected for who they are.
The life of a minority involves overcoming unique obstacles in their everyday lives from deciding what they will be judged for, to what they will be discriminated for, to what prejudice they will face, and even fearing for their lives because of the color of their skin. The life of a minority doesn't have to be this way. We can start changing this by actively educating ourselves and others about the systemic issues minorities face, advocating for policies that promote equality and justice, supporting minority-owned businesses and initiatives, and fostering inclusive communities where diversity is celebrated and respected. By taking these steps, and by having conversations with BIPOC people, we can work towards a society where everyone is valued and treated with dignity, regardless of their background.
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