Closter Student Advocates for Equality Through Art By Kimberly Redmond
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s an Asian American female, Ishikaa Kothari is no stranger to the social injustices that minorities face.
Growing up, the 17-year-old from Closter said she has encountered “interpersonal sexism and racism” throughout her life. “I constantly face microaggressions, such as the classic, ‘You must be smart, you are Asian,’” said Kothati. “Also, I remember people in middle school ridiculing my Brownness, teasing me with Indian accents and negatively commenting on my skin color.” “What was worse is that I did not realize that this harassment can be considered or connected to racism because of the lack of education I received on such an incredibly important topic,” said Kothari, who attends Riverdale Country School in the Bronx, N.Y. 42 | Fall 2021
