Racism? Over? Yeah right.

The Plaza was full of chatty, pre-pubescent teenagers who were either eating their lunch, or just talking. Li Xien was sitting with her friends, nibbling away at her wrap while laughing at her friends jokes. Everyone liked her, but she never really had a close best friend, she was always on the outskirts of her friendship groups. But she didn’t mind.

She sat there listening while her friends talked about some recent test. “It was so difficult!” exclaimed Amelia - the only person who was part of this friend group who Li Xien didn’t know the last name to. “I know right?! I didn’t get any challenge, and I am pretty sure just from overhearing Akhil that I got question 12 and 13 wrong.” sighed Jennifer. “Hey, what did you get Li Xien? You got your test back right?” asked James. “Yeah! I um got a...um ...a 4”. She mumbled. “What?! Your Asian, how did you get a 4?” gasped James sarcastically. Li Xien nervously laughed, trying to get off the topic. “Hey look! When you laugh you can’t see you eyes! Its like you close them! Can you still see?” Laughed Amelia. “Yeah, I can still see...Thats a little bit racist you know...” uttered Li Xien. “Oh calm down! She is just joking! God, it’s not like we are having a world wide controversial issue here!” giggled Jennifer. “God, Li Xien - to stunned by the fact that her so called “friends” didn’t realise how racist they were being.

You may think that we are in the ‘golden age’ and that segregation is over, but racism is still a big part of modern day society. “‘Today we remember Rosa Parks’ bold stand and her role in fighting to end racism.’

This advances the idea that racism is a relic of the past. It isn’t. And over the last few days, there have been several stories that reaffirm the extent to which racial bias—and anti-black racism in particular—are real things that happen to real people.” - The daily beast.The daily beast (who is commenting on the twitter user “@FeministaJones” tweet) is absolutely right. Although there is not specific seatings for darker skin coloured human beings on busses, and isn’t different water fountains for them, doesn’t mean that racism and segregation is a ‘relic of the past’. In Fact, there has been recent incidents such as the Michael Brown shooting and only a few weeks ago during the AFL (Australian Football League) grand finals, snide remarks such as “Black dog” was directed to a specific -darker skin coloured- man named Adam Goodes.

You may wonder if other people have experienced this. They have.
Over 80% of people who were asked if they have personally experienced racism (even if it was supposed to be a joke) said yes. Some people have even experienced backhanded compliments! “For an indian girl, you are pretty!” is one of the comments that Akanksha, a grade 8 student from UWCSEA has experienced. “You’re Asian, why aren’t you smart?!” is another common remark that is stated.

“Its not over, its just not. I think that people pretend its over so that they don’t have to deal with the pressure of having to fix the issue.” Explains Lizzie, a girl who has also personally experienced racism, and racist comments.

In the end, people need to realise that not all acts of racism are big, controversial issues. So many people can fall victim to it from their peers/friends, who probably think they are only having a laugh. People need to stop and think about their actions before they do them, or in this case, say them. People need to know that racism isn’t just a bad memory from the past, it is here, it is now. What are you going to do about that?

Written by: Patrick

#STOPTHETWERKTEAM

After I paid the driver and jumped out of the cab, and walked down the steps into ‘The Cathay’. I was early for dance so I didn’t have to do my usual speed walk to the escalator that lead down to the basement.

As I was walking past the oh so popular Starbucks, I happened to notice a very young girl, by the looks of it a 9 year old. But what shocked me was that she had an unnecessarily large amount of makeup that was spread across her still undeveloped face. It was quite a sight. However her bright green crop top, and short shorts just added insult to injury. I was shocked, but I soon realised that she was pretty brought up on people dressing in revealing clothes and wearing a ton of makeup. One of which is a new song ‘Anaconda’.

You may think that Nicki Minaj’s latest hit ‘Anaconda’ is about her in a bakery asking for food for her pet snake, but no. Just like many other songs nowadays, it is promoting the idea of sex, drugs, alcohol and many other things not suitable for the targeted age group. You may wonder why songs like ‘Anaconda’ are targeted at children and young adults. Well, anyone around the age of 40 and above are probably too busy listening to Bob Dylan and Billy Joel on their cassettes. Anyone in their 20’s-30’s probably think its just more modern-day garbage full of autotune and meaningless lyrics. That leaves the pre-teens and the teenagers, still impressionable and raised up on the tragic evolution of Hannah Montana, and a time where technology rules the world. They are constantly under the influence of photoshopped models and profligate behaviour.
Almost every month a new trend is created. Whether its taking drugs or forcing yourself to throw up so you can be called ‘pretty’. “I think this trend of having a “perfect body” that is often referred to in recent pop culture gives young girls the impression that they need to look a certain way to be accepted.” Akanksha explains. “I think its gross!” spat Kiana, disgraced at the behavior of children nowadays.

Is beauty really a necessity to the world? How come all those ‘cheesy’ sayings like “dont judge a book by its cover” and “its what in the inside that counts” are not actually put into use?! I want to promote the idea that modern day music has become auto tune, and a catchy beat. Everything is all about being top on the charts and having money and fame.

If celebrities want to behave like role-models (given that they realise most of their views and likes on youtube are from kids) then they should behave more like ones.

As lady Gaga once said “Baby, you were born this way.”

Written by Patrick.

Brace Face

If you don’t have braces, then you do not understand the excruciating pain that us “Brace-faces” or “ex brace-faces” have gone through.

Imagine how scary it is to have a foul tasting clay shoved down your throat, and thats just the mold! Last December I was flipping out while waiting in the dental clinic’s foyer to get braces on. “Will it hurt?! What if I accidentally break them?” and many other horrific questions burned at the back of my mind. But at that moment, I didn’t realize that millions of other people,who are also in need of a teeth miracle worker, were probably just as scared as I was.

Luckily, this reporter didn’t have to face as much pain as other brace wearers, and will get them off nearly a year earlier than expected. However, recently I got given elastics to align my jaws. They are tiny elastic bands that hook onto a brace on your top and bottom jaw. They then slowly pull your jaws together. To anyone that has to wear them, I am so sorry, they are extraordinarily painful! It feels like a maniac is slowly pulling out all of your teeth over the course of around 5 days. Then you get used to them.

Before this reporter had to face the year of frustration and pain of having braces, Ishta (a fellow brace face) explained to me that they hurt her sister for around 5 weeks! And she could only drink soup. This didn’t help me at all, at least confidence wise.

Why do people wear braces, is it an issue of self consciousness? Or is it something that people just want to do? Do they think it helped them?

“My mum made me get braces. And yeah, they helped I guess.” explained Seika, an ex-brace face.

Braces may be frustrating while you have them, and all they do is straighten your teeth to look better. But hey, straight teeth!

Written by Patrick