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True Colors MAG

April 23, 2009
By TimWood BRONZE, Wilmington, Delaware
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TimWood BRONZE, Wilmington, Delaware
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The idea of “race” in the United States is based on physical characteristics and skin color, and has played an essential part in shaping our society. Stereotypes continue today as blacks are often portrayed as athletic, religious, poor, musically talented, and criminal.

I love rock music; Linkin Park and Sum 41 are two of the best bands right now. I recently picked up the guitar. I skateboard, I windsurf, and I speak with correct English. So I’m white? How ’bout this: I love fried chicken, I make Kool-Aid because it’s cheap, and I eat cereal when I don’t feel like cooking. Now what am I?

How can someone act like a color? Just because I skateboard, play the keyboard, or sound intelligent doesn’t mean I’m trying to act “white.” I’m just being myself.

I have a white friend who loves hip-hop and wears Bob Marley shirts. That does not mean she acts “black.” Whether I’m making rap music or playing Vanessa Carlton on my piano, I’m not trying to be or act like anyone else, just me.

I know no one wants to believe they are capable of stereotyping, but we all do it. When someone doesn’t fit a stereotype, people may say they are acting like someone else. But the coolest thing to do is be yourself and appreciate things that you honestly prefer. Forget those who think they know who you are and how you should act.

© Cheyenne B., Elwood, KS

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This article has 12 comments.

KatsK DIAMOND said...
on Mar. 10 2012 at 8:31 pm
KatsK DIAMOND, Saint Paul, Minnesota
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Being inexhaustible, life and nature are a constant stimulus for a creative mind.<br /> ~Hans Hofmann<br /> You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.<br /> ~Ray Bradbury

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I agree. In fifth grade, a new girl asked my cousin if he "was from Mexico" because he has tan skin. He is half Venezuelan, and does speak fluent Spanish, but people still shouldn't stereotype (even though it's an automatic tendency for human nature)!
kaleidoscope_girl BRONZE said...
on Oct. 23 2010 at 10:18 pm
kaleidoscope_girl BRONZE, Decherd, Tennessee
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&quot;You gotta put up with the rain to see the rainbow.&quot; (unknown)

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i know what you mean. my entire family is white... except for me. people are always asking me what i am, it gets on my last nerve. the omly thing worse is when someone asks me if i'm mexican or how to say a word in spanish. i'm not mexican, i don't speak spanish, and i was born and raised in the united states. i am half hispanic (El Salvadorian), half white, and one hundred percent proud of who i am. i wish some people would grow up and realize that tan skin does  not your mexican!!!
Venus_Queen said...
on Mar. 15 2010 at 2:54 pm
This is really good! i love it! im white, and like all of my family is but my dads half brother. Hes half black and half white. But i dont know him that well because my dad dont want me around him because he aint just white. My dad dont like black people which i think is wrong. Im going with a guy that is half black and half white. But hes looks white. Well when my dad found out he told me i couldnt be with him because of that. But i told him i was going to be because i didnt care i love him! i plan on marrying him one day. my dad wont let me see him so i just get to talk to him on the phone almost everyday.
beautifulworld SILVER said...
on Dec. 17 2009 at 8:39 pm
beautifulworld SILVER, Memphis, Tennessee
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What&#039;s the point i wearing my favorite rocket ship underpants if no one asks to see them? -Calvin and Hobbes

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yeah I'm known as the "oreo" at my school. I'm not the type to freak out over racist jokes but THAT really bugs me. It's basically saying if your intelligent you must be white and if your not, your black. It's so degrading. It's especially annoying when a black person calls me oreo.
-Kal- GOLD said...
on Oct. 15 2009 at 7:10 pm
-Kal- GOLD, Carthage, North Carolina
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&quot;Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and recieves the impossible&quot; <br /> -Anonymous

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this article was amazing. i've read plenty of stories about racism and stereotyping, but this is by-far the best i've read yet. great job ;)
SeptemberCrew BRONZE said...
on Aug. 27 2009 at 5:18 pm
SeptemberCrew BRONZE, Washington, District Of Columbia
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Props for addressing an issue as it relates to you instead of using general terms to talk about problems in society.
AmnyR BRONZE said...
on Aug. 27 2009 at 12:40 pm
AmnyR BRONZE, Clifton, Texas
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To the world, you may be just one person, but to one person, you may be the whole world. ~unknown

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great article, you presented it differently than some people by showing the typical "black" and "white" sterotypes. great writting. i love fried chicken too :)
doverdrama SILVER said...
on Jul. 16 2009 at 12:35 pm
doverdrama SILVER, Dover, Delaware
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That sounds exactly the same as my school. I know I steryotype, but I'm trying to stop. Thanks for writing this!
Bethani GOLD said...
on Jun. 11 2009 at 7:35 pm
Bethani GOLD, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
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Life is perfect until you sit back and realize how boring it is without risks.

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I feel you could've explained a bit more with the acting like a color.
Brandi Kim said...
on Jun. 4 2009 at 3:24 pm
Brandi Kim, Sanford, Florida
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i feel the same way. i know i stereotype. try not to but it tends to happen. yourself is the best way.
Blackrose12 said...
on May. 5 2009 at 9:07 pm
I really liked this topic :) it opened me up more about race
ReflectionsofYou GOLD said...
on Apr. 24 2009 at 3:18 pm
ReflectionsofYou GOLD, Mason, Tennessee
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I agree:] and I liked this article!

I always give everything I like 5 stars and don't rate the rest... I wonder if that ruins my crediblity?