Racism | Susana Milanes | TEDxPascoCountySchools

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
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Racism exists, sometimes blatantly, sometimes subtilely.

Susana Milanes is an 8th grade student at R. B. Stewart Middle School in Pasco County Florida.

The assumption all members of each race
possess characteristics and abilities

is referred to as racism.

It can be defined as the hatred or belief

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

For example,
"An Asian has to be really smart,"

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

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

to behave a certain way
based on physical appearance.

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

and some people even think

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

But even if your mark
isn't necessarily negative,

that doesn't make
the statement acceptable.

According to Dr. Naomi Priest,

a senior research fellow
in Child Public Health,

and leader of the Anti-Racism Program

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

in children and teens."

Children and teens
who have exposure to racism

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

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

between racism and the youth.

Teens becoming mentally unhealthy

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

is flat out disgusting.

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

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

It often occurs when one sees
no other option of escaping

but to end their life.

Racism causes depression,
and depression causes suicide.

In other words,
racism can potentially cause suicide.

Jade Macklin, a blogger
with a goal to end racism, says,

"Due to discrimination
amongst groups of people,

1,572 people commit suicide every year.

This number will eventually increase."

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

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

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

two, like to blame others
for their problems,

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

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

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

Some even take on the views
of the people around them,

like children taking racial opinions
from their parents.

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

Parents should allow their children
to choose their own ways

instead of filling their children's
minds with negativity.

What if someone walked up to you
and started pointing out

how your skin color wasn't
their personal preference?

How would you feel?

When people make preconceptions
based on skin color,

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

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

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

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

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

Consequently, we need to abolish
all racial preconceptions,

negative and positive.

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

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

to help them be aware.

Another is to just create
a peaceful protest

to help get your point across
without any violence.

Anything that suggest a person possesses
a specific ability or trait

is unacceptable.

But the more we disregard the remarks,

the less likely
someone will stop saying them.

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

the more teens are being harmed.

This issue is having
a harmful effect on teens,

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

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

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

it doesn't make a difference.

We all need to learn
to be respectful human beings

to everyone around us
no matter what skin color.

Just like the teens
from Ferguson, Missouri said,

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

Teens shouldn’t be in an unhealthy state

due to someone who feels
the need to be racist.

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

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