“How It Has Affected Me
First Place, $50
Jaime Perez ,18, Vista High School
Racism is a fact of life. Everywhere you go, there is racism. I am personally affected by racism in this way; I can’t go out to the store to buy a Coke or drive through LA without being harassed by persons from another race, as well as by the police.
I think the police have a big part in racism. One afternoon, I was walking to Lynwood Park, when a LA County Sheriff pulled up and said, “Hey, Mexican, come here!” He said that I was on drugs, but I really wasn’t. He put the cuffs on me, put me in the back seat of his car, and ran my record. He found out I was clear, then let me go. I felt mad, because people passing by on Martin Luther King Blvd., going to Frontier Market, were watching me. I figure they thought I was a criminal, and I’m not.
Another time, I was driving in Chino, and I was pulling away from the curb, and a passing driver almost hit me. He was Chinese. He slowed down and said, “Hey, you stupid Mexican beaner!” He wasn’t supposed to tell me that. I understood that I wasn’t supposed to pull out without looking, but it had nothing to do with my race. It was just me not paying attention because I was distracted, trying to adjust my radio, something all young people do, even Chinese young people.
I don’t understand why racist people continue their racist ways, but maybe being a positive person with a positive attitude is the answer to this racism. Maybe that’s all it takes: each of us getting to know someone from that other race that we interact positively with. But racists are not unusually open to such circumstances because of ignorance and hatred for someone they know nothing about.
Racism is a disease that needs to be cured. We could either allow it to eat away at our nation or fight for a better co-existence with one another.
The choice is ours.
I Was The Only Asian
Second Place $30
Mary Tat, 16
Woodrow Wilson HS
Nigger!” “China!” “Wet-back!” “Dirty white trash!” Who are these bigots to say these ignorant names towards people of other races? We all know that racism exists, but why won’t we do anything about it?
Now is the time to face racism. Racism is like the AIDS virus. The AIDS virus kills the person, but racism kills the mind and the soul.
I know how it feels. For instance, when I was in eighth grade, I dreaded going to my sixth period P.E. class. The feeling was like being on trial for the murder of a loved one. Everyone disliked me. I went to a junior high school where the majority was not the same as I. It was tough being the only Asian in all of my classes. I was saddened to know how bigoted people can be.
Rejected because of my skin color
In my situation, no one accepted me because I was different. I had the darkest skin and the smallest eyes. Usually, I didn’t play any sports during PE because I knew no one wanted me on their team, whether it be because of my height or who I am.
Every Monday through Friday I had to face those people. I hated hearing those stereotypes such as: Don’t you eat anything else besides rice? Open your eyes. Can you see?
Racism is the one concept I most dislike, that, from personal experience, I hate. Racism is the gas that killed the Jews during the Holocaust. Racism is the bullets of the Khmer Rouge that killed the Cambodians. Racism is the death of love for other races.
I remembered watching the news. There was this story that got to me. It was about a black family who were terrorized by other people. I will never forget those three words spray painted on their walls. It said, “Nigger! Go away!”
When will people forget about the color of people’s skin, the size of their nose, the shape of their eyes, and the size of their lips? It’s the diversity of other cultures that keeps this world from being a boring place to live.
Prejudice Hits Hard
Third Place $20
LaShea Parker
Locke High School
Racism is an issue that can affect anyone; any age and any race. I have witnessed two accounts of racism. One was with my three-year-old nephew; the other was with my aunt. I’ve never personally experienced racism, but being a black female I know I probably will.
When the incident happened with my nephew I was really surprised. My sister-in-law and I took my nephew to enroll in day care. The day care was in Beverly Hills, in a primarily white neighborhood. When we arrived we spoke with the head coordinator. She immediately assumed that my sister-in-law didn’t have enough money to pay for my nephew’s weekly bill. She also wanted my nephew to go through an evaluation with their child psychologist. None of the other children had to do this. My sister-in-law asked the coordinator how many black students attended the day care. Her response was only 70 percent of the kids were Caucasian. Later we found out that was a lie. There were only four black kids in the whole day care and two of them were mixed.
The coordinator denied my nephew’s application. She said it was because he appeared to have a discipline problem and she only saw him for about 20 minutes. My sister-in-law tried to do something legally but the case never went to court. I couldn’t believe what had happened. I was upset and wanted to argue. My sister-in-law told me to just let it go. My nephew won’t remember what happened but I sure will.
The only other account of racism I witnessed was against my aunt Melanie. She went for a job interview for a medical assistant. On her application where the words ethnic group was, it said optional. She wanted to know if it really didn’t matter what race you were, so she marked White. When she got to the interview there was not one black person there besides her. She found out that she was only called for the interview because they thought she was white. Only one of the employees at the medical center was black. Of course, she didn’t get the job and she was just as qualified as the white woman that did. She asked for a reason but never got one.
Racism can affect anyone. It has been around for ages and ages. I hope I never experience racism or act in a racist manner.”