So today, Mom, Dad, and I went to Kokomo to get a feel for the city and to find the school I'll be attending this fall.

After we found the school, Mom decided to drive around town, and ended up in a somewhat rough looking neighborhood. The first thing she said was, "This must be the black part of town." When she said that, I got so furious, but couldn't say anything because I'm just a kid that doesn't know how bad "the other race" is. What got on my nerves even more was that Dad said, "I don't think it is. I just saw a bunch of white guys back there."

Why do people have to be so damned stereotypical?! There is a difference between a black person and a "nigger". Just the same, there is a difference between an Oriental person and a "chink", or a Mexican and a "wetback". Let's get a little closer to home, shall we? There's a difference between a white person and "white trash".

People try to use the argument that you should lock the doors on your car when you see a black person in a sort of rough part of town. Other people say that you should lock your doors when you see a group of black people walking down the street in a town. Personally, I would do this stuff regardless of the other person's skin color. Just because someone is black doesn't mean they're going to rape you, kill you, steal your Reebok shoes, and steal your money. If it does, then I must be walking on the wild side, since I don't look at life that way.

I agree, there are inherant problems with certain racial groups. There is no way around this other than wiping out everyone on the planet and starting over. These problems are not solely racial problems though: They are also cultural problems. To add to it, what we identify as a problem may be the norm in other cultures.

So what am I trying to say? Don't assume that someone is of a particular social group just because of their skin color, house, or how they dress. Treat everyone as social equals and the problem will be solved.

Sadly, this is a dream that will never come true. I guess I'll just be bitter towards people like my mother for their actions and ideas regarding race.