Racism, etc.

Hey everybody,
A few months ago, there was a horrendously racist family shown on the Tyra Banks Show. For anyone who wants to see it, the link is http://youtube.com/watch?v=nZccnGspog0. Even though the incident happened a while ago, I just wanted to blog about it because it made me so upset. (And I know many of you feel the way!) It saddens me that in this day in age there are still such horribly ignorant, racist people. And it's even worse that their children are probably going to go through life with the same beliefs as they were brought up with. When you think about it, it's not even their fault that they are turning into racist people because that's how they're being taught to act. It's probably not even their parents fault that they believe in those things because again, that's what they were taught to believe in. In fact, I feel very sorry for people like those because they were never taught or given any insight on what a wonderful, diverse world we live in, and how diversity is a good thing. However, not all children with racist parents are neccessarily going to grow up with the same beliefs. For anyone who's read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry or any of the other books about the Logan family, (I know all of you former Sigma 6 students have!) remember how even though Jeremy Simms' whole family was racist against blacks, he wasn't? Even though he had been taught to believe that African Americans were lower, inferior, unworthy, etc., he still stood against his beliefs and was kind to the Logans and other black families. I think it takes a lot of strength of character to be able to do that sort of thing. It's hard to go against your family and their beliefs and risk having them be upset at you for it. What do you guys think about all this? Comments, please! :)
xox,
Maya

True fashion--it's not about where you shop

So what exactly is true fashion? Despite what many people I know think, it's not about shopping at Hollister or looking like everyone else. To me, that's the exact opposite of true fashion. Fashion, is, after all, an art form used to express one's personality. It's hard to express your personality when you're dressed like another Abercrombie clone. Or Hollister clone. Not saying, of course, that I have anything against these or other popular stores. I just think it's beyond superficial to judge people, or even their style, by where they buy their clothes. For instance, I have a friend who, I think, has great style. She wears interesting clothes and often wears pretty and unusual jewelry, such as brooches. However, she once told me that she's been teased by a few superficial girls just because she doesn't shop at Hollister or other brand-name stores. Personally, I think it's fun to be break away from what everyone else is wearing and look a little different. There's a girl in my grade who was wearing a beautiful, but unusual, silk wrap dress the other day. A girl (incidentally, one of the same girls who teased my friend because she didn't shop at Hollister..) made a nasty comment about it, saying how "weird" it was or something. What I really admired was that the girl with the wrap dress didn't seem embarrassed or ashamed. Instead, she held her head up high and informed the other girl that she liked her wrap dress. I really admired the fact that she didn't let someone else's shallow opinon faze her. The bottom line is, true fashion comes from wearing the clothes you want to wear and not caring about what other people think you should dress like. So be bold, and be you!
xox,
Maya