Myth Busters: Reverse Racism

With the recent events occurring in Baltimore, Maryland, I've heard multiple white people argue that when a white person gets shot by a black officer, there is no uproar. Let me tell you one thing, reverse racism is nonexistent. This fight is not simply because a black male was shot by police. It is about the fact that the white cop is never prosecuted and often just set free.There is no such thing as reverse racism and you can never use it as a means to justify your arguement. Racism by definition is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior. Obviously, the Caucasian race is superior in this paradise we call America. White people often pull the racist card when a joke is made to humiliate them. "White people cant dance" or "white people think everything is spicy" are only a few of the stereotypes that are used as a punchline. The difference between white jokes and jokes that mock black culture is the simple fact that white stereotypes don't make Caucasians a target of police violence. They don't make them out to be theives or thugs. You don't get followed by clerks in a grocery store because you don't season your food. Black people are made out to be monsters and dangerous, while whites are just told they have no rhythm in their hips. People need to start educating themselves.

Sincerely,
      Olympia

Leelah's Law

Transgender teens currently have one of the highest suicide rates in the nation. Conversion therapy is a major factor in this statistic. It is obvious that these conversion therapists do nothing but harm youth and have often driven some, like Leelah Alcorn, to self harm and suicide. Leelah was a 17-year-old transgender female who decided to end her life on December 27th of 2014 when she ran onto the street and into a tractor trailer. She documented the final years of her life on Tumblr and often posted about the lack of understanding and  acceptance from her parents. Like many other LGBT kids today, Leelah was obligated to visit a conversional therapist that would basically try to brainwash her. In her suicide note, Leelah wrote that she wanted her death to mean something. She strived  for change and her one wish was for us to "fix society". After everyone learned about Leelah, someone started a petition. It is a law that bans conversional therapy all across the U.S. This law could possibly save lives and make that future a better place for LGBT youth. If you have time, please sign this petition. It is heartbreaking to know that, due to her unaccepting parents, Leelah was buried in a tux with the wrong name on her tomb. We can make a change. For more information and resources on how you can help, please visit LeelahsLaw.com.

Sincerely,
        Olympia 

Why Feminism Is So Important

"Are you a feminist?" "No, I'm an egalitarian." Believe it or not, this conversation actually occurred. You can imagine the look on my face when he told me that he was an advocate of equality for all, but not a supporter of equality for the sexes. It is honestly the most ignorant statement I've ever heard. Uninformed people seem to think that feminism is seeing women as superior beings to males. The reality of the matter portrays something completely different. Being a feminist means that you are an advocate of women's rights because, believe it or not gentlemen, you are the privileged ones in our society. One of the ugliest things I've begun to see are anti-feminist females. That is a concept I will never be able to wrap my head around. How could you be a woman in today's world and not want equal pay? Why would you not want to put an end to the objectification of all females? If people changed the fixed definition of feminism that they have implanted into their heads, there wouldn't be a need for me to write this. Put an end to ignorance and educate people on their rights (or lack thereof). And don't even get me started on abortion.

Sincerely,
         Olympia