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The assumption all members of each race[br]possess characteristics and abilities

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is referred to as racism.

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It can be defined as the hatred or belief

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another person is less than human[br]because of his skin color.

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For example,[br]"An Asian has to be really smart,"

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or "An African-American[br]has to be less socially refined."

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Skin color doesn't define any human,[br]so no one should be pressured

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to behave a certain way[br]based on physical appearance.

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The sad truth people don't seem to realize[br]when they're being racist

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and some people even think

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when they've positive preconceptions based[br]on skin color they're not being racist.

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But even if your mark[br]isn't necessarily negative,

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that doesn't make[br]the statement acceptable.

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According to Dr. Naomi Priest,

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a senior research fellow[br]in Child Public Health,

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and leader of the Anti-Racism Program

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says, "Racism can influence[br]the health and well-being

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in children and teens."

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Children and teens[br]who have exposure to racism

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can have poor mental health,[br]anxiety, and depression due to it.

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A study by the University of Melbourne[br]says they're 461 links

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between racism and the youth.

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Teens becoming mentally unhealthy

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due the racist remarks[br]or what society continues to say to them,

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is flat out disgusting.

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Speaking of depression,[br]it's the number one cause for suicide.

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Suicide is the act[br]of taking one's life on purpose.

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It often occurs when one sees[br]no other option of escaping

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but to end their life.

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Racism causes depression,[br]and depression causes suicide.

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In other words,[br]racism can potentially cause suicide.

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Jade Macklin, a blogger[br]with a goal to end racism, says,

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"Due to discrimination[br]amongst groups of people,

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1,572 people commit suicide every year.

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This number will eventually increase."

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The question we all continue to ask[br]is why are people racist anyways?

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According to humanrights. gov,[br]the main reasons people are racists

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is because they're either one,[br]too quick to judge,

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two, like to blame others[br]for their problems,

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or three, take on the views[br]of the people around them.

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They like to be stereotypical,[br]and that's what causes racism.

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People are quick to judge,[br]because they like to label people.

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Some even take on the views[br]of the people around them,

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like children taking racial opinions[br]from their parents.

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Children aren't born racist,[br]they're taught to be.

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Parents should allow their children[br]to choose their own ways

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instead of filling their children's[br]minds with negativity.

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What if someone walked up to you[br]and started pointing out

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how your skin color wasn't[br]their personal preference?

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How would you feel?

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When people make preconceptions[br]based on skin color,

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they're implying that if he or she isn't[br]that way, it's wrong.

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When they're looked down upon because[br]they aren't what people expect of them,

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it could cause them to feel worthless[br]or as if they don't mean anything.

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It most definitely isn't wrong to not be[br]of what people expect of you.

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That is what we're saying[br]when we make these racial remarks.

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Consequently, we need to abolish[br]all racial preconceptions,

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negative and positive.

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They're multiple ways to stop[br]these insulting suggestions from recurring

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and one obvious way is[br]to simply tell someone what they're saying

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to help them be aware.

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Another is to just create[br]a peaceful protest

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to help get your point across[br]without any violence.

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Anything that suggest a person possesses[br]a specific ability or trait

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is unacceptable.

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But the more we disregard the remarks,

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the less likely[br]someone will stop saying them.

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And the more we continue to laugh[br]and allow our friends to say these,

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the more teens are being harmed.

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This issue is having[br]a harmful effect on teens,

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and it's time we put[br]a stop to it as a whole.

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As I've said, racism not only affects[br]adults but teens too.

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Even though some people don't seem[br]to realize when they're being racist,

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it doesn't make a difference.

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We all need to learn[br]to be respectful human beings

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to everyone around us[br]no matter what skin color.

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Just like the teens[br]from Ferguson, Missouri said,

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"Racism isn't over,[br]but I'm over racism."

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Teens shouldn’t be in an unhealthy state

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due to someone who feels[br]the need to be racist.

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Teens should be getting a good education,[br]playing sports, and making new friends

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not wondering what racial remarks[br]will be thrown at them today.