Charlene Davis
Grade 12
Riverview High School

Racism

A little girl is born with no preconceived notions, ideas or beliefs. "Mommy, Daddy, why are people different colours? Does it matter?" "People are different colours because that's the way they were made. People come from all different parts of the world. Colour doesn't really mean anything though everyone was made equal and unique. A person's worth has nothing to do with the shade of their skin."

She smiles.

A little girl walks into a church on her vacation. She's thrilled with the boisterous southern gospel music. Slowly, people's heads start to turn. Some glare, some look appalled and indignant. She looks at all the families in the congregation - all the same colour. She looks at her own family - three different colours.

Oh.

A little girl is with her best friend. They're practicing for a dance routine to the music of Michael Jackson…'It doesn't matter if you're black or white'… They twirl and laugh, dark skin interacting with light. This is how it should be.

Their mothers smile.

A little girl overhears a conversation. "Is Jeffrey dating Tamika?" "Of course not. Gross." "Why? They get along really well." "Tamika's black."

Oh.

A little girl drives with some friends of the family. "Look there's more of them." "Who?" "The Chinese. They're taking over this neighbourhood. Who do they think they are anyway?" "But Michael's Chinese, he's my friend, and so is Stephanie." "I know what you mean."

Oh.

A little girl is part of a class survey - 28 countries represented among 32 kids. That's so cool! Everyone seems to agree.

She smiles.

A little girl goes to a school talent show. A Hindu girl does a beautiful dance, so do two Trinidadian sisters. A Korean boy does a wonderful martial arts performance. The audience applauds and cheers.

Everyone smiles.

A little girl moves. She is shocked at the lack of diversity. She walks down the halls amidst stares, some hate filled, some friendly. Still she wonders, why does everyone notice her? A new friend makes a negative comment about a woman in the mall. "Oh gosh, I'm sorry." "Why?" "Well, she's black like you." Black like me?

Oh.

A little girl walks by herself at night. A group of boys yell after her. "F*** you N*****! Go back where you came from. Nobody wants you." She keeps on walking, anger, fear, and disbelief building up. She holds her tears until she makes it to the waiting car. Everything is let out. Her mother goes, then returns a few minutes later. She asks the little girl, who is not so little anymore, "Are you going to report them?" "No."

Oh.

A little girl asks the question "Why are people like this? What is it?" "Hate. Generations and generations of hate, mixed in with ignorance and cowardice." "What can change it?" "Love. Generations and generations of love. Mixed in with awareness, open minds, and courage."

She wonders.

A little girl goes on a trip. 20,000 teenagers gather, from all over the world. They are together. They are happy. Everyone is laughing and joking, greeting new people as if they were old friends. Race, colour - doesn't matter. They share in the love of their God - what has brought them there. She sees it all. She is happy. She has hope.

She smiles.