The ugly truth about race
The unconstitutional and excessive favoritism towards white people must come to an end COMMENTARY BY CRISTEL CANTARERO, STAFF WRITER
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H I T E seconds of arriving at the scene. Once again, privilege has the pattern between race and privilege is shaped our undeniable. country since Christopher Fortunately, some are using their White Colombus colonized privilege for good. Major celebrities like America. Since then, Selena Gomez and Gigi Hadid gave their people of color have been platforms to Black creators to share their forced to deal with undeniable injustices. stories and experiences with racism. During Nonetheless, it is no secret that many white BLM protests, White protestors would form a people experience privilege due to their race wall in front of Black protesters while giving and commonly, the social class they are often speeches in hopes of preventing police officers associated with. from shooting rubber bullets. In 2019, actress Lori Loughlin, best known “I feel like it is difficult for certain for her role as Aunt Becky on Full House, White people to believe White privilege is was arrested for cheating her daughter’s way real because they refuse to acknowledge the into the University of Southern California fact that in our nation, it is easier to lead a (USC). Loughlin, a rich Caucasian woman, is prosperous life as a White individual than only facing two months in jail. On the other an African American one,” junior Lawrence hand in 2011, Kelley Williams-Bolar, a Stampino-Strain said. Black mother enrolled her daughter in an Miami has had multiple protests elementary school using a fake address, where white cops have been unreasonably given that she was homeless a t brutal and barbaric towards peaceful the time. She now faces protestors of color. One example 12 years in prison. is Alaa Massri, a peaceful According to ABC protestor who was News, when she arrested. Male cops was asked to pay a proceeded to take off $30,000 fine, she her hijab, take her responded that mugshot pictures she did not “think and publish them. they wanted Despite this horrific money. They encounter, she wanted [her] to has continued be an example.” to attend The only outstanding protests and raise differences between Loughlin awareness. Sharon Florez/ highlights and Williams are money and “When people from all race. backgrounds come together Moreover, Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-year- and show their unity and solidarity for one old white male, traveled to a different state cause, it applies pressure to the people in to attend a Black Lives Matter (BLM) power,” activist Alaa Massri said. protest with an illegal possession of an Students under 18 who are unable to vote M&P Rifle. With this rifle, he shot and killed can still contribute by spreading awareness. three protestors. Police did nothing to stop They can listen to stories of discrimination Rittenhouse — even with bystanders shouting from Black people, educate themselves and that he was the shooter, police let him continue inform people about the existing injustices in to walk around the protest and even offered our country. him water. Students can sign petitions organized “We all do stupid things at 17,” Donald by activists on TikTok. Students can also Trump Jr. said in an interview with Extra, a contact people in power. Demanding justice statement undermining Rittenhouse’s actions. proves to the government that the country is Somehow freely shooting is justified, but serious about change. As a country, we must Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old Black boy who collectively do everything in our power to was playing with a toy gun, was fatally shot amplify the voices of people of color (POC) and killed by Cleveland police officers within during this period of civil unrest. h
Sharon's Shenanigans My Favorite Word: Consent COMMENTARY BY SHARON FLOREZ, OPINION EDITOR
As an advocate for the most misunderstood word in the history of time, I am a faithful believer that with enough effort, anyone devoted enough can learn its meaning. In my life-long observation of the phenomena known popularly as “misogyny,” I have picked up on the greatest flaw in the education system: the failure to teach the meaning of consent. For many, especially young men raised with patriarchal values, consent is a mere suggestion. However, according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary definition, consent means “to give assent or approval: agree.” So, why is there controversy over such an explicit definition? It is a matter of coming to an agreement — or simply not. I have come to believe that misogynistic ideals and rampant ignorance are jointly responsible for the high rates of sexual and verbal assault. For the education system to even prohibit the teaching of such an important topic is highly irresponsible. In toddler terms: “yes” means “you may” and “no” means “you may not.” Misogyny has taught men to take advantage of situations where women are vulnerable, as if a woman’s friendly smile was permission to touch their body. Women can do everything to prevent abuse and still be told that somehow their actions demonstrated consent. Amusingly enough, a woman has the right to change her mind and have that choice respected. Recently, it has become a trend on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram for women to name activities they would partake in if they did not have to fear being sexually assaulted for one day. Answers as simple as going for a walk at night and being able to freely choose what to wear without fear were most common. What this says about current gender culture is that the underlying power given to women by the law’s requirement to “consent” is not respected by the patriarchy. Women’s ability and power to choose is an exaggeration and an impossible feat. But whether she’s in fishnets, a suit or a newborn’s overalls, consent means teaching men self-control, and that is a ridiculous thing to have to ask for. h
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