AHS Takes Huge Leap Backward After Perez

JAMIE NGUYEN
Staff Writer
Many of you probably forgot about last year’s ASB president, Anthony Perez. Perez was a rare case, because he was not Asian but was still elected as student body president. Many saw this change as a “leap for mankind” at AHS because a Latino president meant that we have somehow bridged the gap of leadership between the different races here at the home of the Moors. However, it is obvious that we still have a gross disparity in regards to the segregation of races.
Take the recent controversy with the re-election of our Executive board, for instance. The actions of our student body prove just how much we have improved and evolved since the ill treatment of African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement.
First of all, students insisted that the race card would be more effective in harvesting votes. I guess they were right. Voting this year churned out more ballots than AHS has seen in years. I suppose it was easier and faster to rally votes by exclaiming “Vote for the Asians!” or “Vote for the Mexicans!” which is what some students chose to do. Secondly, it was irrelevant to make a conscious decision based on the capability of the candidates to do what their titles entreated them with. It just involved too much thinking, too much energy and quite frankly we are “far too educated” to have to deal with such challenges.
What obliterates any hope in creating any “positive change” on campus is our complete and utter hatred for one another. Look at the stereotypes we’ve created, cliques formed because of them and resentment towards one another because of these self-imposed boundaries.
Limited on space here, I can’t state them all, but let’s explore some of the stereotypes that plague our campus. Stereotypically, Asians are always considered smart—whatever the subject, Asians have the capacity to harness every aspect of it. One would probably assume that the student goes home to be whipped by their parents, followed by hours of consuming rice with boba and driving dangerously with their little eyes. On the other end of the spectrum, Latinos are always considered “not as smart.” Any Latino with good grades is praised as if it was a result of some supernatural phenomenon, rather than hard work. One would then assume that they go home to great festive parties where they eat beans, get pregnant, and “lean, like a cholo,” of course.
What I’d like to know is: Can we change the mentality that is so deeply anchored into the essence of our existence? Looking at the history of mankind, we are infamous for basing our innovation and growth off of anger, hatred and, of course, war. No nation has been able to grow without it. And if you haven’t noticed, violence and hatred is the only way we can be successful in this world.
The grim reality we are faced with beats us down inspirationally and mentally. I would like to say that I believe in all this stuff, just to throw in the towel and give up because I know it’s a difficult fight. Sometimes I say brutal things as well and find myself feeling guilty for it later. But the we have the ability to change.
Take Anthony Perez as an example to overcome the social norms and do something remarkable in a city so accustomed to stereotypes. I sincerely applaud you, Anthony Perez. You have made a difference, and I will try to be more than the color of my skin. Hopefully our community at AHS will follow suit and surmount the stereotypes we are plagued with.