Eden Coy,
Bondurant, IA
I am from an area with high white demographics. In my high school, there is a small percentage of people of color. Often, walking through the halls at school I hear slurs used in everyday conversation. When a person makes a racist joke, many laugh and encourage them. There have been incidents of students doing blackface and mocking people of other communities. However, my school does little to discourage these actions. It is seen as kids just being kids. If one were to comment on the disrespectful nature of people’s actions, they would be brushed off as “it’s only a joke.” I believe racism should not be turned into a joke, and it is not ethical to bully other cultures. The normalization of racism in my community creates a negative environment. I am ashamed to hold any relation with my peers.
