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.