Speak Up! By Ruth, 5th Grade

Black. White. Muslim. Latino. Asian. Korean. Haitian. African. Or whatever. We’re all people no matter what.

You can look different, act different, but we’re all still people. You’re extraordinary by being yourself.

Being yourself is better than not being yourself. When you’re pretending to be someone you’re not, you feel empty, sad, and hollow. When you are yourself you feel joyful inside.

Violence is not the answer. I think racism and sexism are wrong, because you are not being treated the way you should. You should be respected no matter what your race or gender is.