Ooh, today I had my interview at Longley today...which was vair good. I think I'll get in (fingers crossed). I really do want to go there, it's so nice.
And then, when I got home, I found a BIG ENVELOPE waiting for me! :O I know...I was very excited. Turns out it was all my work from my work experience...WOOOO! I've got all my pictures on a disc, but the best one I edited won't work so I'll have to do it at my dad's. I was very surprised actually...I have no photos of Lizzie, Calum, Alex, Alex or Jade. Shocking.
Anyway...here is my article...
Afraid to Walk Alone
I ask a teen who has suffered racism all her life, how painful can it be?
In a country inhabited by so many different races, and with such a warring history, it is inevitable that, in Britain, we will encounter some separation in our society. However recent events have not prepared us for the difficulty of dealing with current racism- the violence, the pain, the fear…
“My first experience of racism was in primary school, when a boy in my class called me a paki. I was about seven years old at the time, and I just remember feeling really shocked. You don’t expect somebody you see every day to say something like that to you. And, even though I don’t even suffer that much racism, the initial effect is still the same: you feel really shocked that somebody would say something like that…then angry, but you have to learn to just ignore it.”
The disastrous destruction of the Twin Towers in Manhattan and the war in Iraq cannot have helped relations between racial groups either. I wondered whether it has affected people of Asian descent, who are not in the midst of the war.
On this subject, my source said, “My experiences of racism have increased, yes. The destruction of the Twin Towers triggered a lot of anger towards people with Middle Eastern heritage, but the idea of the war in Iraq was terrible. That caused so much racism in my school; it was quite an uncomfortable time. Sometimes, I am scared to walk around alone because your fear shows a lot more when you are alone.”
Additionally, the London bombings struck fear everywhere, from the very heart of Britain’s capital, to major cities all over the world. The reaction from the public was the same worldwide…
“I was so shocked when I heard about it! It was about half-way through a school day, and I just remember thinking, “Oh God…”. I felt so bad for the people involved. I also felt scared. The racism in my school that had built up since the war in Iraq was starting to drop. I thought it would start up again. I was lucky though. Half my class weren’t there, and it was one of the last days of term. I don’t think there was a lot of racism towards people after these bombings anyway…At least, there wasn’t as much as there could have been.”
Many of us are horrified by racial attacks, and sympathise with those who have suffered. However, we don’t know what it feels like, so can we truly sympathise?
“I think that people who haven’t experienced racism can sympathise with others to an extent, but they can’t empathise with us. Unless you have experienced racism first hand, I don’t think you can possibly know how horrible it feels. It has been difficult dealing with racism, but I think it has prepared me for the future and made me proud of my heritage.”
Racism is a monster that has terrorised people of every race for centuries, and still does. Both men and women alike are afraid to walk alone, terrified of attacks. Can it ever be stopped?
“I know that it can certainly be cut down. We have to make sure that British children aren’t being raised racist. There should be more positive enforcement of different cultures in school; so kids can understand that everyone is different.”
Ish cool...AND IT'S PUBLISHED! Here is a quality picoid of moi, Charlotte and Becky near the petting zoo at Graves.
Ooh, I'm actually enjoying writing this...I thought I'd get bored, like with a diary...but no...it's fun! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Going to Cat's tonight....mmm...I ROCK AT COUNTING COUP!
posted by MINS! @ 7:57 AM
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