To Bettina Aptheker Essay

Dear Ms. Bettina Aptheker, Hello! My name is -, I am a - - - - - - High School. Reading, socializing, and baking sweet desserts are just a few things I love to do in my free time. I am also on the Varsity Track team and actively involved around the community. I know so much about you, now you know about me! Your lecture on Unlearning Racism sparked ideas in me that I didn’t realize were there and I am grateful to have this opportunity to directly communicate with you. A topic you spoke of that I personally connected to was white privilege. Living in a community with a majority of racists, I have witnessed and even experienced white privilege. Living in a community that doesn’t discuss racism, unless it’s a joke, but IS racist, I’ve noticed quite a few things. Being Armenian, the majority of Glendale’s population, I am treated with greater respect and care than someone who isn’t Armenian. I remember a time when I had a group project and we all met at one member’s house. We were, in total, three Armenians and one Hispanic, meeting at an Armenian’s house. When we arrived at her house, us Armenians were warmly greeted with hugs and small talk, while the Hispanic received an obviously fake smile. She noticed that she was treated differently and was very quiet while the parents were around, she felt unwelcomed. I think that when it comes to the situation of white privilege, the community should be color blind. Race should be no reason for unequal treatment, it should merely show the different cultures and traditions of people. One thing I hadn’t realized was this: the typical image of a black man is a violent one. Personally, I am cautious with any man, regardless of race. But I must admit I am more intrigued when they aren’t white. I find this a perfect example of unconsciously learning to be racist. I grew up in a very “color blind” family, no racism present unless it was from an outside party. So by everyday life (television, interaction, media.etc) I unknowingly developed racial stereotypes. I find that repulsing that I, someone who does not prejudice, has thoughts like that. I was not aware that most of the mass murders were committed by whites either. Why aren’t they racially profiled as “violent”? Why don’t people realize that skin color doesn’t define who you are? The final point you brought up to me was the flaws of being “color blind”. When I first looked up the definition of color blind, I thought it was the answer to racism. It seemed perfect, just ignore race and all will be well, flawless right? The answer was yes up until I saw your lecture. You opened my eyes on the

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