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Title:
Racism | Susana Milanes | TEDxPascoCountySchools
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Description:
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx
Racism exists, sometimes blatantly, sometimes subtilely.
Susana Milanes is an 8th grade student at R. B. Stewart Middle School in Pasco County Florida.
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The assumption all members of each race
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
because of his skin color.
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For example,
"An Asian has to be really smart,"
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or "An African-American
has to be less socially refined."
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Skin color doesn't define any human,
so no one should be pressured
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to behave a certain way
based on physical appearance.
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The sad truth people don't seem to realize
when they're being racist
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and some people even think
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when they've positive preconceptions based
on skin color they're not being racist.
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But even if your mark
isn't necessarily negative,
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that doesn't make
the statement acceptable.
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According to Dr. Naomi Priest,
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a senior research fellow
in Child Public Health,
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and leader of the Anti-Racism Program
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says, "Racism can influence
the health and well-being
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in children and teens."
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Children and teens
who have exposure to racism
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can have poor mental health,
anxiety, and depression due to it.
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A study by the University of Melbourne
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
or what society continues to say to them,
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is flat out disgusting.
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Speaking of depression,
it's the number one cause for suicide.
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Suicide is the act
of taking one's life on purpose.
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It often occurs when one sees
no other option of escaping
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but to end their life.
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Racism causes depression,
and depression causes suicide.
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In other words,
racism can potentially cause suicide.
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Jade Macklin, a blogger
with a goal to end racism, says,
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"Due to discrimination
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
is why are people racist anyways?
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According to humanrights. gov,
the main reasons people are racists
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is because they're either one,
too quick to judge,
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two, like to blame others
for their problems,
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or three, take on the views
of the people around them.
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They like to be stereotypical,
and that's what causes racism.
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People are quick to judge,
because they like to label people.
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Some even take on the views
of the people around them,
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like children taking racial opinions
from their parents.
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Children aren't born racist,
they're taught to be.
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Parents should allow their children
to choose their own ways
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instead of filling their children's
minds with negativity.
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What if someone walked up to you
and started pointing out
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how your skin color wasn't
their personal preference?
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How would you feel?
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When people make preconceptions
based on skin color,
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they're implying that if he or she isn't
that way, it's wrong.
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When they're looked down upon because
they aren't what people expect of them,
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it could cause them to feel worthless
or as if they don't mean anything.
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It most definitely isn't wrong to not be
of what people expect of you.
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That is what we're saying
when we make these racial remarks.
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Consequently, we need to abolish
all racial preconceptions,
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negative and positive.
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They're multiple ways to stop
these insulting suggestions from recurring
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and one obvious way is
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
a peaceful protest
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to help get your point across
without any violence.
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Anything that suggest a person possesses
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
someone will stop saying them.
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And the more we continue to laugh
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
a harmful effect on teens,
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and it's time we put
a stop to it as a whole.
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As I've said, racism not only affects
adults but teens too.
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Even though some people don't seem
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
to be respectful human beings
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to everyone around us
no matter what skin color.
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Just like the teens
from Ferguson, Missouri said,
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"Racism isn't over,
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
the need to be racist.
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Teens should be getting a good education,
playing sports, and making new friends
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not wondering what racial remarks
will be thrown at them today.
