The world We Live In

That's the thing about this city is this week's writing assignment prompt. Today is March 15, 2021, and I moved to Atlanta Georgia at least two weeks ago. Since I've barely lived in Georgia I had no clue how to answer the question. The day went on and my mind was too focused on what my answer would be. I had to present to a class through a zoom class filled with 10th graders and that was already one thing I was worried about. Would I go silent, would I just take a zero, or would I really try to think of a well-thought-out answer? My brain was in a mush. The school day ended, but it was like I wasn’t even there, like I was in another dimension. At least my brain was. 

I rushed downstairs after class and got ambushed by my mom. Another day of her asking how my day was. She has probably asked every day since we started virtual learning. That night I spent time researching about Atlanta, I found out about different things but not something that would help create a heart-warming response. 

“UGH… why can’t I come up with anything, `” I whined

I was so stressed I couldn’t ’t find anything to talk about, and I didn’t even want to move to Georgia in the first place. When I lived in Florida the weather was almost always nice, I had the best friends, and we were actually able to do in-person school.

The next day during English class my teacher called on the first ten people on the attendance list. Thankfully I'm nearly last on the list. I listened to everyone's responses, and they were so good. That made me more anxious than I already was. Class ended, and I stayed after class to talk to the teacher and told her how I've been feeling. She said the best she could do is give half the points and not have to do the assignment. I already have a bad grade in the class since I'm so behind, so I couldn't take her offer. I politely declined and went on to the next class.

After school that day I decided to just spend some time to chill and go on my phone. I played games and watched TV then decided to go on TikTok. I came across a video about the mass shootings at the massage parlors in Atlanta. Not only that, but I knew nothing about it and was completely shocked. My whole for-you page was about it, and how the mass shootings targeted Asians, and then I got an idea for my assignment.

People spend too much time hating on people because of their religion, ethnicity, skin color, love life, and so much more. During COVID-19 there have been many protests for equality but also a lot of Racism around the world. People are trying to make awareness with their platforms, but sometimes people have thicker skulls than others which makes it hard to get through to them.

I begin writing my essay through the next couple of days and prepare for my presentation. I read and re-Read again and again until it's finally perfect. It was finally my day to go. I was nervous and afraid of the response I was going to get from my speech. The teacher called my name, and it was my time to go. I turned my camera on and unmuted myself and began to speak. 

“That's the thing about this city you don't get what you see. If you were to search up Atlanta Georgia you would find the beautiful building, houses, sunsets, and streets. When you live in Georgia you see the people on the streets and make assumptions about them based on what you see without really knowing what they go through on a daily basis. Each person in this class has a different background but has at least one similarity with one person in this class. During covid, a lot of people's lives have been made harder, and more stressful. People have lost their jobs, lives, and family members. Yet we still hate on the people living in the same world we are struggling to live in. I have to admit I've hated on someone or judged someone from what I see even though I know it's not the right thing to do. People are hated for what they wear, how they talk, where they live, etc. But, why? Why do people hate? I don’t think there is one answer, I think there are many.

 We live in a world where people are hated and discriminated against based on their sexuality, ethnicity, and religion. Some are pressured to change and some aren't accepted by their families. Making fun of someone so much can lead them to dark places because we don’t know everything about a person. You could see someone at school wearing the same clothes over and over and make fun of them. Though at home their family could be struggling to put food on the table. You could make fun of someone for their beliefs but wouldn't want that done to you. We live in a world full of hypocrites.

Three days ago there was a mass shooting targeting Asians. People were killed for something they can’t even control, and it happens way too often than it should. People are called racial slurs, taunted, and discriminated against based on their ethnicity. Human beings are killed for having different sexuality than someone else, but for what? I keep asking myself that same question and find myself baffled because there is no answer I can think of. I've come to the conclusion that maybe humans are designed to hate one another, but I honestly don't want to believe it. People honestly need to think about how the words they say can impact someone. But at the end of the day, people are told this constantly, and still, nothing changes. I honestly felt like I rambled, but I hope I got my point across and answered the question the best I could.” 

 I finished and my teacher said nice job then ended the class. Not only that, but I waited and waited and checked every hour to see what my grade would be. I was sick to my stomach when I checked and saw that my grade was 16.5/20. I was so confused I thought I excelled, but instead, I didn't. Then, I emailed my teacher and asked why I got the grade I did. 

She emailed me back and explained, “Your answer was excellent but had no structure. You were all over the place and didn’t explain all the points you made. The cause and making aware of these problems were a good idea, and I'm willing to make it a 17.5, but it won’t be a perfect score. I'm sorry.” 

I answered with a simple okay and took the 17.5. I guess it's better than the 10 I would've gotten if I didn't present.