Page 158 - COVID Consortium Journal - An Edited Collection of Student Art and Writing

More Sides Than Cops and Robbers
(excerpt)

Neela Gannon, School of the Future

I’ve grown up blind to the to be treated. I’m glad I’ve grown up
color of people’s skin. I’ve lived in one blind of color. It’s made my path open
apartment complex area for almost 11 to how I see all people now. I’m free
years. The people who live here have to choose to try and understand the
diverse skin colors. But I’ve never real- way people’s lives have been affected
ly had to look before now at the color by their race. Maybe that’s because
of people’s skin. Until now. I’ve always of my white supremacy. I’ve grown
seen people as people. Never been up naive to how some people’s lives
taught that one race is better than have been because of their race. I’ve
the other. Never even heard “Black” never had to hear, “watch out for the
or “Latino”, or “Asian” come up in the police” or “never give anyone a reason
lesson of “the way you treat people.” to call the cops” or “always look clean.”
Just treat people the way you want What does that even mean? I know

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“BLM” by Khadiga Ghirani, Vanguard High School