Wrestling with racism
The oldest in the group was barely 17, but before them was, perhaps, the most perplexing question in history: How do we put an end to racism?
For three days these students, all delegates to the Grosfeld Family National Youth Leadership Mission to the Holocaust Memorial Museum, will wrestle with that issue and the role they can play in breaking the cycle of racism in America.
It will be the 12th such mission and the 10th for metro Atlanta students since 1997, when the Anti-Defamation League first convened the program at its Midwest regional office in Chicago.
“We think if we’re going to find a way to overcome bigotry, it’s going to be in the hands of these young people,” said Bill Nigut, the ADL’s southeast regional director.
Initially founded to fight discrimination against Jews, Nigut said the organization has since realized it has to deal with discrimination against all groups, including African-Americans, Hispanics and the gay community.
The metro Atlanta delegation – 10 in all – will be part of a group of 90 racially and ethically diverse students from across the country to participate in this year’s mission, which ends Wednesday.
They looked forward to visiting the White House and the Holocaust Museum, hearing from Leon Bass -- the African-American World War II Veteran who helped liberate one of the concentration camps -- and Holocaust survivor Nesse Godin, and sharing the lessons they learn with their peers back home.
They said they were hopeful they'd see the end of racism one day but that day is still a long way off.
As they prepared to leave, we asked them why they wanted to participate in the mission, if they thought we’d ever see the end of racism in America and the one thing they’d do to end it? Here’s what some of them had to say:
LaDarius Nealey, 16
School: Chamblee High School
Grade: 11
Why did you want to participate in this mission?
I wanted to participate in this program because only positive things can come from this experience, and I feel that it can never hurt to take the time to learn about other people and their culture. People need to be aware of what really happened during the Holocaust and learn from the experience so it won’t happen again. As a participant in this mission, I will be able to help to make that happen.
Do you think we’ll ever see the end of racism in America?
Unfortunately, I do not believe that we will see the end of racism because people will have their opinions about others until the end of time, no matter how cruel and disrespectful they may seem.
What one thing would you do to end racism?
I would make people more aware of how their actions and their remarks hurt others. I would also try to make them more aware of the fact there are a plethora of other problems that America is trying to deal with and that racism is just a fatuous issue that is getting in the way of accomplishing greater things for our country.
Neira Kararic, 16
School: Clarkston High School
Grade: 11th
Why did you want to participate in this mission?
I am Muslim and every day I see my people being put down. I believe this will help me to show Muslims that we have a way to change everyone’s mind and how they look at us.
Do you think we’ll ever see the end of racism in America?
The end of racism will happen when everyone comes together and put all their differences aside for the greater good of peace. But there will always be forms of hatred because not everyone will see what is in front of their eyes. Those who do open their eyes will see that they are only losing and not gaining anything from hating. The issue is not racism it is hate.
What one thing would you do to end racism?
I would begin by showing everyone through cultural education what they are losing and missing out on by perpetuating hate through ignorance. One day this will change when we are able to take a look at ourselves and see that change starts within.
Xaver Groiss, 17
School: Chamblee High School
Grade: 11th
Why did you want to participate in this mission?
I, myself, was discriminated against because of my Austrian heritage and I know how it feels to be singled out for being different; and I knew that this was an opportunity to learn and spread information about discrimination and its effects.
Do you think we’ll ever see the end of racism in America?
Yes, but there’s still a long way to go till America becomes free of racism and discrimination. Our generation is already pretty integrated with each other and this will increase with every generation after us.
What one thing would you do to end racism?
I would try to make it mandatory in public schools to teach kids not to be racist and this should start in elementary, because when the kids grow up they will have a moral code which includes not being racist.
Aisha Atwater, 16
School: Dutchtown High School
Grade: 11th
Why did you want to participate in this mission?
I wanted to participate because I want to help bring more awareness to an issue that has been plaguing this country for a long time. If awareness is never brought to this issue, the mindset of this country regarding this situation will remain the same.
Do you think that we'll ever see the end of racism in America?
My goal is to bring awareness to a matter that has long been in existence. So, I would have to say yes, I do see an end to racism in America. As long as I can see a vision of change ahead to ending racism and more people embark upon that vision of ending racism, it will end. We all have to bring the vision to existence.
What one thing would you do to end racism?
The one thing that I would do to end racism is continue to bring awareness by reaching out to others and seeing people for who they are rather than judging them by the color of their skin, their religious beliefs or their gender. People are led by example and the example starts with us. If we start with our generation the others will follow. That is my hope, my dream and the ADL is where it all begins.
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