Modern society can be quite overwhelming for people like me, young people with big aspirations for the future and who want to make a change to the world. However, we have to put these on hold and start to change the problem that is right in front of us, the thing that is making society such an unaccepting place to live in for all age groups. The only way to change it, for the good of everyone; all races, backgrounds, ages, religions, genders, sexualities and disabilities is to all work together and to keep going until we get the change we all want and so rightly deserve.

Hatred In society

As a 13-year old living in modern society, there is still a lot I will never understand about the extent some people will go to with their prejudicial beliefs and discriminative actions on innocent people.  I see hate crime reports and terror attacks on television causing thousands of lives to be lost and communities to be torn apart, all at the hands of a prejudiced belief.  I see these reports and I feel helpless and ashamed. The Manchester Arena terror attack was the one that affected me the most, as it was so close to home.  It isn’t just racial attacks.  People have been attacked and judged for their gender, sexuality, religion, age or disability, such as the recent murder of George Floyd. There is only one solution.  No amount of money could ever solve the growing issue of prejudice and discrimination.  That solution is unity.  Unity is the key to making it a thing of the past and making the world a place where everyone feels safe and accepted.  Unity and education can make the change that is needed for a better way of life. For everyone.

Anne Frank’s story and legacy

Anne Frank was one of the millions of people who were subject to prejudice and discrimination by Hitler and the Nazis. The Holocaust was the most tragic act of prejudice and discrimination in history. During it, Anne kept a diary, which is her legacy.  She recorded all of her experiences, thoughts and feelings of her time in hiding. In the current crisis the world is in, many people are writing their own feelings and keeping diaries of their time in lockdown, just like Anne. Some people feel closer to Anne now more than ever.  We can think more about Anne’s feelings, more specifically the positivity she radiated throughout her diary.  This is one of the things about Anne Frank that I most admire.  We can take this and apply this to modern day. We can start to see the positive side of things and the good in everyone. We can spread that positivity to others that may need it, in times such as these.

In July of last year, I got the inspiring opportunity to be a peer mentor for the ‘A History for Today’ exhibition.  I got to take part in educating other students about Anne’s story and also about modern day prejudice and discrimination. I became an ambassador for the Anne Frank Trust UK at the end of July. All the work I did alongside fellow ambassadors and workers taught me a lot about how much prejudice and discrimination impacts society and it has made me realise just how important it is to educate others, to show them that they also have the ability to challenge it.

Covid-19: the impact

According to an inquiry launched by Public Health England, some of the UK’s ethnic groups are more likely to suffer from Covid-19 due to economic vulnerability and unequal health. Many members of minority groups are at more risk, simply because they earn less money or that they may already have an underlying health condition. The government are also demanding a heavier social and economic price on those who are already facing inequalities. At a time of national crisis, such as now, it is as important as ever to support people who are more vulnerable regardless of who they are, so that they feel safe. It is our job to make it known, to everyone, that every single person should be treated as an equal, just as we would like to be treated ourselves.

My aim, as an ambassador, is to make everyone realise that they can challenge prejudice and discrimination, no matter who they are and to make a change that benefits everyone. I truly believe that we can make it a thing of the past, together, by being fair, equal, tolerant and kind. Anne never gave up hope for freedom. We are never going to give up hope for equality, not for one second. We all bleed red. Together we have the power. Together, we will win.

By MIA, 13.

Previous

Back to stories, articles, essays ages 13-15 gallery