How the Lack of Diversity Affects Libra Students

Racist Roots

Latinos represented 97.1% of the population in Huntington Park in 2010 according to the US Census Bureau, and 99% in Libra. Therefore, even if you are not Latino, you probably lack regular interaction with other races.

Growing up, we have attained prejudices of other races inspired by family and friends. Immigration issues have caused tension between Latinos and non-Latino native-born Americans, causing some racism against “gringos.” Also, thanks to our family and the media, many of us harshly stereotype different races. Just because minorities are racially discriminated does not grant them the right to do the same to other races.

“Preservation of one’s own culture does not require the disrespect or contempt for other cultures.”

-Cesar Chavez

Furthermore, the worst culprit of our racism is the media. On comedy shows, such as Family Guy and SNL, other races are poked fun of. The news exaggerates stories of white officers shooting black individuals. Social media, the most renown vehicle of racist jokes, reinforces stereotypes such as the super-intelligent Asian, the dangerous African-American, the Starbucks white girl, and the border-hopping Mexican.

These jokes might be fine to chuckle at if you have constant exposure to other races to make sure the stereotypes are false, but we do not.

For instance, a Libra student admitted to making racist comments “just for fun — not in a serious way.”

Yes, we know these stereotypes to be false, but the jokes instill a bit of racist sentiment into our minds that can only be cleansed by exposure to other races. Everytime we see a person of a different race, which we do rarely, we involuntary associate the stereotype with them.

Notably, many adults of different races, work — not live — in Huntington Park. Even Libra’s teachers are diverse (Vietnamese, Italian, Latino, and African-American). Our interaction with them has benefitted us by giving us new foods in our city , new ways to deal with life, and improving our way of thinking, but we have yet to interact with peers of different races.

Diversity is Success

To be successful in American higher education you must be comfortable with diversity.

Mr. Garibay, a biology and environmental science teacher at Libra, explained how having friends of different races helped him succeed at Cal State Long Beach. At first, he was shocked, because unlike HP, Latinos were the minority (around 12%). Nevertheless, he got used to the diversity.

Garibay comments, “You have to be able interact with other ethnic groups, and if you have these stereotypes built in since you were a little kid, they’re going to hurt you in the long run.”

The college and professional world is going to be extremely diverse, and as a minority, you might find yourself far from those of your culture. You need people to rely on when you struggle, and if you push them away because you dislike them or fear their differences, then you are depriving yourself of success.

Interacting with Teens of other Cultures

Explore Los Angeles, one of the nation’s most diverse cities, with some friens or family (take the Metro perhaps). This way, you can assimilate yourself into a diverse atmosphere and enjoy LA .

Moreover, like many of our teachers have, go to college and dorm! You will be surrounded by many peers with great mindsets and personalities who want to succeed just like you. Moreover, you get to live with them and get to experience their ways of life while sharing yours. With dorming and going to school with other students, your mindset will improve, you will discover new unthinkable ways of having fun, and make some of the best friends.

Making great friends with your peers matters because you will grow up with them. Like you, these teenagers face the problems any ordinary teenager faces. They too are growing up and discovering they are and how challenging life is.

For instance, this summer I attended a math and science program named COSMOS where I spent a month living with a diverse group of teenagers. Through all the activities, free-time, and studying, I made some of the best friends in my life.

So take advantage of this city, college and academic programs; meet the friends the world has to offer.

#local #features