Racism is Still Alive Today

Life has its ruthless, unbearable obstacles. It has the audacity to stab you in the heart anytime and anywhere. This intolerable pain overfills your soul with sorrow, fear, and ire. You have no solution to this problem; you seek help, but the only response you receive is a mere gesture. Sadly, these are my barricades and emotions of a melancholy life. As a young African-American teenager, I know how it feels to walk down the street and have white women grasp tightly for their purses. When I enter a store, salesclerks follow me around like I am an ex-convict. 

For instance, I went looking for a blouse to match an outfit at one of the stores in Southland Mall. The salesperson actually followed me from one rack to another, and she constantly kept asking me if I need helped after I kindly told her no. The thing that shocked me the most was the fact she told her co-worker she was happy the “Nigger” was leaving when I left from the register’s counter. As bad as that sounds, it is the raw truth. If these people would have asked, instead of judged, I could have told them that I’m a very productive citizen. I’m a 4.0 student and participate in Student Council, BETA club, Key Club, and other school and community organizations. They would have known that I don’t want to cause any harm.