Blog #11

 

 

      It is unfortunate that many people experience stereotype threats in their lifetime, but worst of all, on their day to day basis. This was the case for me all throughout my teenage years in middle school and high school. The schools I attended during these periods were well respected institutions within the districts. However, the area in which they were located was not the best. There were many gangs and the area was constantly plagued by shootings and lockdowns. It was sometimes a challenge to make it to the bus stop to get to school without having a gang member cat call my friends and I, or offer us drugs. The areas were heavily patrolled throughout the day and my friends and I were often subjected to racial profiling. Every Thursday throughout middle school, school would start at ten in the morning instead of eight. As my friends and I would make our way to the bus stop, the cops would stop us to make sure that we were not skipping school. This was understandable; however, it was not reasonable that they searched through our backpacks and belongings looking for weapons or drugs and justify these searches under “probable cause”. The cops would even tell us “we just have to make sure because you Latinos are tricky.” This was the same scene almost every week for three years! Once I got to high school, I experienced racial profiling again. Our high school was great in terms of providing a college center and resources for students seeking higher education. Yet, the coordinator of the center was often condescending and discouraged his students from applying to Ivy League universities. I recall seeking help from him when I wanted to apply to UCs and he told me to aim for Cal States because they were easier to get admissions as a Latina. It is unfortunate that many individuals will judge my potential and character based on my ethnicity, and that this continues to be the case for other Latinos every day.