A year ago, I graduated from a private high school. Four years spent at this school gave me some great teachers, fun friends, and memories that are sure to last a lifetime. Though at times I disliked my uniform, I will always remember pulling down my plaid skirt when I walked by that one teacher and the slippery Saddle shoes that were comfortable and torn apart after years of wear. Amongst all these fun and silly memories, however, I will also always remember the times when my “sisterhood” was not united, when it was not for everyone. The times when racism and bigotry tarnished the name of my high school and the way I will see it in the years to come.

When I was in high school, there were times when it seemed like the school was full of people who didn’t understand racism or the experience of being “other,” which made it difficult to talk about prejudice and incidents of injustice. I remember hearing about certain events that angered many people, didn’t bother others, and sparked crazy lines of defense from those you wouldn’t expect.

“They didn’t mean it like that!”

“You’re being sensitive!”

Can you believe it? As a friend of mine recently posted on Facebook, how can you defend racism?

These circumstances either went unobserved or ignored by the administration with very little punishment taken to correct the mindsets of those at fault. There was anger and a lot of talk, but we all graduated and moved on. Much like the issue of not teaching students about the parts of American history we are not proud of, such as slavery and internment camps, my community avoided addressing issues because it was uncomfortable. We went to college, spent a year away from each other, and only thought about high school during late-night talks with new friends. Summer came, the first summer home after going to our respective universities, and it has happened again: a boy from our community sent out a video full of racist remarks.

All I can wonder is, what is going to happen?

As I mentioned, my community did not address the problems that scarred my memories of high school. Actually, the consequences doled out to those who used racism to bring others down received the equivalent of a slap on the wrist, and I truly don’t think anyone could argue with that. I don’t think it’s too late to fix the areas where we are lacking the correct level of attention, and this latest occurrence of racism has only proven that nothing will be done until our community stands up. It is difficult to address a problem, to educate those we call our peers and family friends, without feeling uncomfortable. My school and surrounding community don't want the damaged reputation that comes along with recognizing an issue and trying to fix it. However, I can say, with absolute certainty, that if my community does not do something to address the ignorance and bigotry that my peers spew out in hateful remarks and videos, then the problem will only grow until it cannot be ignored.