Racism and Prejudice, Part II

I judge people. I’ve always had a black stereotype in my mind, that if someone’s black, they’re automatically stupid, they run around in gangs, and speak in their own little jargon you can barely understand. I’m ashamed to admit it. I was wrong.

A guy named Steven (@AproSamurai), whom I met a few months back, is black. And he’s probably the most intelligent 16 year old I’ve ever met. I’ve heard so many things come out of his mouth that are just astounding. Almost impossible for a teenager to comprehend, or even to experience. He’s had experiences with his past ex-girlfriends, parents, that a normal 16 year old just shouldn’t be introduced to so early in life. Yet he takes it like a man. He’s happy, he’s content. He uses his life lessons to teach other people doing wrong things not to make the same mistakes he made.

Steven is a guy I truly respect. He’s said some things I’ve taken to heart, he really likes helping people. In the past few weeks, I’ve acted so badly towards people. He came into the picture to give me good scolding and to get me back on the path. I might not show that I truly appreciate it, but I do. And Steve, if you’re reading this, somewhere, there’s a candle lit for you. Thanks man.

As you’re reading this, I’m trying to dispel all my racist thoughts, comments or stereotypes. If you see me in real life, tell me how I do!

Prejudice

I make horrible first impressions. The thing I have in mind is @polydramatica on Twitter, to be exact. The same in real life, not just on the internet. I act very shy and depressed, with my “emo hair” covering my eyes and always looking down.

My friend Andrew, who is categorized in the “cool Filipino” clique, says that I’m a nice guy and I’m an all-around nice guy to be around. I fumble with meeting new people, I shake and stutter while talking. I’m supposed to laugh, be witty. I admit, at times I’m a little “out there”. It’s in my character. I like making people laugh.

Andrew and I hated each other in Freshman year. He always recalled me as a “nerdy and geeky retarded bitch” - those are his exact words. He only recently began talking to me since the beginning of Sophomore year, when he was forced to sit behind me due to unforeseen seat changes. We talked. We laughed. We bonded.

The point I’m trying to get across is this - never be so quick to judge. I may look geeky, but in reality I’m a nice guy. I’m trying to write this with the least amount of arrogance possible.

Is there someone who bugs you and trys to get your attention every day? Is there someone who looks unsociable and never talks to people? Talk to them! Take the initiative to be a nice guy, take the initiative. Make the most of every moment. This is life! Use the time to your advantage!

Knowledge is Golden

Today, a classmate of mine in my 4th period Algebra II class got a 15 on his math test. A perfect score. I stared down at my disheartening 12. As with the 100% of the arrogant population, he started to gloat and ask other people their grades. He even claimed he was “smarter” than all of us.

What is “smart”? What exactly is knowledge? Is it portrayed by your grade? Your grade point average? Your IQ? I believe it neither of these.

A human’s capacity for knowledge is finite. Scientifically, a human can process as much information as it can store, as much as it can remember. But, as we all know, the term “scientifically” isn’t really coined as it should be used. Technically, a normal human mind would become unstable after a few hours of cramming, learned early in life by all high-schoolers nationwide. “Stored Knowledge”.

Most people think a high GPA in school is equal to an intelligent mind. These people are terribly informed. I myself have gotten my fair share of grades, whether it be good or bad. But does this mean that you have more “knowledge” than someone else?

I conclude that a person’s knowledge is his acceptance of outside opinion. Not with a sense of carelessness, no, but with a sense of purpose. Conform to the former and you get a person whom is easily influenced by others, willing to do anything anyone tells him to do. Conform to the latter, you get a person who can think for himself, a person who is truly “intelligent”.