“I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls.”

A dream yet to come true. Today, people are being made fun of for their love for someone else, color, race, religion, or even how they dress. In this world, we all are the same kind, so why pick on those who you just know the front cover of? So people shouldn’t be judging just on the cover because getting to know how great and special someone is; you actually have to read the book.

Thus, racism is a very sensitive topic. Racism not only hurts the people inside, but on the outside too. Hate crimes around the world for people with a different color or race is just sickening and terrible. These people that do the crimes are hurting themselves because they have to live with the rest of their life; a crime or even a murder they did just because of an appearance. As many as 191,000 hate crimes or murders happen a year just because someone doesn’t like what they are seeing. (Marguerite Rodger) Think of 9/11. One of the most tragic days in America. All over religion. If one girl liked chocolate ice cream, and the other liked vanilla, it isn’t a big deal. They both get what they like and are happy. So why aren’t these people realizing they are hurting someone’s happiness?

On the other hand, appearance is a big problem in America these days. Whether a girl wears a weird shirt with Hello Kitty on it, but gets made fun of because she’s in the twelfth grade, or a boy likes to wear camouflage pants but gets made fun of for looking like a GI Joe. Or if you are on the heavier side of your grade, or even the skinnier. Tall or short, black or white, if you like SpongeBob or Transformers, everyone is different in their own way. Every single person has their own style. And people should respect that. People shouldn’t be focusing on the makeup someone wears, or the clothes. They should focus on school, music, any type of activity, or anything that gets them far in life. Appearance is something stupid to judge people on, but they still do it and it needs to be stopped. When these cruel people really do make fun of you for your color or what you are wearing, it sincerely brings out their true colors.

So, when you love someone, it isn't about whom they are, what gender, color or religion. It’s about why you love them and why you want to be with them. Gay and lesbian people are being made fun of for who they love, and it needs to stop. More than 30% of gay youth were threatened or injured at school in 2001 alone. (Danielle Weber and Laurie Mandel) If I love the sport track, and my best friend loves the sport soccer, I won’t be making fun of her for that. It’s what she loves, and what makes her happy. It should be respected and not be made fun of. Hate crimes against those who are gay or a lesbian are the 3rd most frequent topic for the past decade. Those who you love should be respected. Not harmed.

For what you believe in, is what you go by in life. If you wear more clothing than others, or you pray a little more times a day that others, it is all for you. In September of 2012, there was an Arson Attack on an Islamic center in Ohio. They set fire to the prayer room and completely destroyed its interior. (Chris Saldana) Think of it like this; if your life is surrounded by your religion, and someone destroyed it or took it away, it is like taking away your life. Some people may not be as religious as others, but that’s okay. You create your own happiness and when someone takes that away. It is devastation to those who lose that. Religion is a place for people to leave and do what they love, pray for family or for you. Religion shouldn’t be an excuse for those who make fun of others.

Although racism may be another topic that is out in our world, it is the most hurtful and it can jeopardize who you are as a person. Tall, short, black or white, all of us are human; and we are all special in our own way. Most of all, no one can change who we are. The next step for racism in the future is to back off other people and don’t judge. Just be who you are and that’s all that matters.