Jalen Slaughter Encourages You To Vote
(CEDAR HILL, TX) – Hello, my name is Jalen Slaughter and I am proud to be a part of the amazing, resilient Cedar Hill High School Class of 2020!
When I was asked to give my thoughts and perspective on the injustices and the distance between the African American Community and the trust we have in society. I believe that this problem has been ruining the fabric of our society for far too long, and it really took a removal from reality for us to realize to stop hiding behind a facade and face the real epidemic of Systemic Racism. I have been thankful to never experience racism to a heightened level but like all African American males, I have been racial profiled and shown in a bad light as if my mistakes defined me as a person.
The tragedies of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, DFW’s own Botham Jean and Atatiana Jefferson and too many countless others has shown the inability for America to see its flaws; instead, it has tried to hide them behind distractions.
I know the ability to disappear is easy, but it takes true courage to stand up to evils of discrimination. I know there’s a lot that can change around our nation, which protests sadly may force, but there are also ways my graduating class can contribute to which is VOTE! I’m not 18 personally until July, but you can still register now and change the framework of the federal government. Every vote matters and every vote counts.
This hasn’t been the best of times for anyone, especially the Class of 2020. We’ve been thrown every curveball and been hit with obstacle after obstacle. We stood tall and never faltered or waivered. Now, we are faced with the greatest challenge of our lifetimes, and we’re going into a world that won’t accept us with open arms. We’ll never understand why we aren’t seen like everyone else, but to all the people no matter what races, religion or creed you are if you stand by us, we stand by you. It’s time to stand up for what needs to be done.
Jalen Slaughter graduated from Cedar Hill High School on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. His post-high school plans include going to college to receive a degree in Kinesiology at a university in the Austin/San Antonio region. He hopes to become a Pediatric Physical Therapist. Jalen is a lifelong Longhorn who started Kindergarten at High Pointe Elementary in 2007. He attended West Intermediate, Bessie Coleman and CHHS.