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- Story Listed as: True Life For Teens
- Theme: Drama / Human Interest
- Subject: Ethics / Morality
- Published: 03/02/2021
Society is Messed Up
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Stella nervously popped each of her knuckles as she waited for her test to be handed to her. They were taking their final tests in class, and she was hoping for a perfect score. The first thing handed to her was her information sheet. She glanced down at it, and she curiously examined the questions. Stella started to scribble down her answers.
Name: Stella Fransisco
Age: 16
Gender:
Stella stopped writing for a minute. Why did her gender matter? She left it blank.
Race (choose one):
-White
-Black
-Asian
-Hispanic or Latino/Latina/Latinx
-Native American
-Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Stella tilted her head to the side once again. Why did her race matter? Did the school systems really think that her race and gender would affect her thinking process or something? Were they trying to take statistics or something? But really, why did it matter so much? She left the race question alone. But then, she thought again for a moment and raised her hand.
Her teacher, Mr. Smith, came over to help her. "What is it, Stella?"
"What should I put down as my race, sir? The test tells me to ONLY select one. But, my dad is White, and my mom is a mix of Black and Latina. I was thinking I could leave it blank, or maybe I could choose all three."
Mr. Smith rubbed his chin, "Put down that you are Black."
"Why not White or Latina?"
"Because," he rubbed his chin again and looked like he was trying to come up with a sensible explanation, "well, you're not completely White or Latina."
"But I'm not completely Black either. I'm all three," Stella smiled and remembered her parents telling her that she was special because of this. She was special, but she was special for many things, not just race. Race didn't matter all the time. She was sick of people labeling things all the time.
Her best friend, Sammy, liked another boy, and he wasn't gay because he chose no labels. He just liked another boy. If he said that he was gay, people would assume he only liked boys because they were boys. But Sammy had told Stella that he likes people for their personalities, not genders or looks or anything. He thinks it's possible to fall in love with someone by talking to them. Stella was inspired.
Mr. Smith pulled Stella out to the hallway, "Young lady, you need to put down Black."
"But why? I'm all three. Can't I put down all three?"
"Stella, let me tell you something. Imagine a piece of paper. Now, imagine that somebody crumpled that piece of paper. Now, imagine that they unfolded it again. Does the paper have wrinkles?"
"Yes?" Stella said, confused.
"Being White is like that piece of paper before it's wrinkled. But, being Black is like when the paper is crumpled up. It's like poison."
Stella gasped in shock, "What is that supposed to mean?!"
"Just put down Black."
"But I'm Latina, Black, and White. I'm special! Why does my race matter so much anyway?" Stella said through gritted teeth and tears.
"Scientists just want to know how far certain races have come along," Mr. Smith said.
"WHAT THE $%&@?!" Stella roared.
Mr. Smith slapped her across the face, "You listen to me; I'm your authority. DON'T SPEAK TO ME THAT WAY!"
So, that day, Stella went home with a bruise on her chin and puffy eyes.
"Stella, what's wrong?" Stella's dad said as she climbed into the car.
"Nothing," she muttered.
And that, my friends, is why I am telling you this awful story. Because you need to know that racism is still out there. Stella might have been too afraid to tell this story, but you don't have to be. Share your stories with the world to see; if you're embarrassed, keep it anonymous. It doesn't just have to be about racism; it can be about anything that is happening to you. But in the end, you matter. Some people might be afraid of change, but change is happening. Make a difference.
Quick Note: The image above was listed as free when I searched for it.
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