Sons and Daughters 

Helping the Innocent

How We Can Make a Difference?

Please Share How YOU can Make a Difference?

Bye Bye Prejudice!
by Rebecca B.

Have you ever felt that you were discriminated; that you just didn't belong because of the way someone else treated you? How can we stop this prejudice? Today many kids and adults are being treated badly and unfairly because of their race, ethnicity, religion, or even how they look. Yet others are trying to prevent this prejudice and racism. Kids in particular are trying their best to help out... although there is everyday "discrimination" at school. Often kids feel bad about people starving in places like Ethiopia, and have questions like: "Why is the government spending all its money on weapons when people in our country and outside our country are dying of starvation and lack of shelter?" Sometimes people also feel that since someone who is of the same race as someone who has caused great damage, or is of the same religion, those people are harmed and treated terribly because others feel they should be treated that way. But back to the point, how can we prevent prejudice?

You just moved to a new school, and everyone is teasing you because you are the only one there who is a different religion. In kids' lives this type of event happens very frequently, though in every school there is someone who is willing to be a friend and help you out. If someone new comes to your school, and especially if they seem lonely, offer to do homework with them and be their friend. Stand up for them if someone else confronts them. That's probably one of the easiest ways to prevent discrimination of someone who seems different(though they really aren't!).

Many people don't understand the whole idea of prejudice. Especially kids. Kids ask lots of questions about why there is prejudice and discrimination. "Why isn't the government spending money on the homeless?" and "Why don't people help that man on the street?" Are some of the questions frequently asked by kids? When someone is different, kids can't always see that difference, and don't understand why older people are upset by these people.

I think children understand the worst parts of discrimination, prejudice, and racism best, and they don't see why there has to be this hatred. To me, it seems like kids have bigger hearts than adults, and care more about people in the outside world. When people used to tease my friends and me, I would sometimes ask them why. They'd usually say, "Because you guys are weirdoes!" or "Because you guys are dorky!". What's the point? I don't think there is any reason to deliberately try to hurt someone or their feelings because of how they look or because of their background. Everyone is different. I think it's silly. Sure there are friendly playful insults, but to try to make someone feel bad is just wrong. I think that to prevent prejudice the best idea is to try to get along with everybody else. Even if you are used to working alone, you should learn to work as a group.

Everyone has to go through some sort of discrimination in their lifetime, not always for the same reasons though. From classroom arguments to war, there is peace that can be achieved if only everyone forgets about our differences and tries to work together.

Preventing Prejudice and Racism
http://cjwww.csustan.edu/hatecrimes/00/prejudice/Preven.htm