[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 76 (Thursday, June 5, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONNECTICUT STUDENTS' ESSAYS ABOUT ELIMINATING RACISM

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a group of 
outstanding students from my home State of Connecticut. Each of these 
young people has been recognized by the greater Hartford regional YWCA 
for essays they wrote on the elimination of racism. As authors of the 
winning essays, these young people attended the second annual ``In the 
Company of Women'' luncheon with featured speaker Maya Angelou. I was 
privileged to attend that luncheon and meet some of the essay contest 
winners. Their words have inspired me and I am proud to share some of 
their insight with you today.
  Danalyn Elder of Weaver High School in Hartford, says ``I do not 
consider color (except perhaps if I am saying it is beautiful.)'' 
Courtney Yuen of Hall High School in West Hartford talks about dreams 
``* * * that offer a glimpse of a world without racism * * *'' Richardo 
Solomon of Bloomfield High School quotes Dr. Martin Luther King in 
considering whether people can ``* * * search deep down in their hearts 
to see a world without racism.''
  In her winning essay, Julie Meslin explains that ``A world without 
racism would not be an easy place to live.'' Julie concludes, however, 
that * * * ``we would be pioneers in a movement that the human soul has 
longed for since the beginning of time. And it would be worth it.'' 
Frederick Jelks of Bloomfield High School describes the pursuit of a 
world without racism as a collective effort of individuals regardless 
of race or heritage. This effort, he explains, ``will not happen over 
night. The change will come about gradually * * * we may speed up that 
day when we can all kiss the glass of equality.''
  In his essay entitled ``Color Me This,'' Greg Binstock of Hall High 
School considers the innocence of a young girl who loves all the colors 
of the rainbow equally and sees no reason to segregate the black and 
red pieces in a checkers game. In a moving biographical sketch, Radmila 
Khamzina shares her experiences with racism in her home country of 
Azerbaijan, and her insights on racism here in America.
  Cheryl Vasquez of Wethersfield High School also uses personal 
experiences to share her thoughts on a world without racism. As a 
Puerto Rican girl, Cheryl has felt the pain of racism. In the end, she 
concludes that ``A world without racism would be a world of more hope, 
a world of more dreams and a world of equality as God intended it to 
be.'' Samantha Allaire of Manchester High School discusses a world 
without racism in which all employees receive equal opportunity and 
equal pay. This would produce a ``more efficient and productive 
workforce altogether.''
  In his short story about a world without racism, Jamilla Deria of 
Weaver High School imagines a scenario in which his ``Little Africa'' 
is inhabited by people of every nationality, living in harmony. In this 
world, Jesus has ``an afro and piercing black skin instead of having 
blonde hair and blue eyes.'' This seemingly mixed up world is, in the 
end, ``groovy man, real groovy.'' Simshindo Msola of Weaver High School 
talks about the devastating effects that racism has had on members of 
the black community. The elimination of racism would enable African-
Americans and indeed all people to perform to their fullest potential 
and ``People would begin to have a positive and good attitude about 
themselves, and society at large would benefit and improve.''

  Nayoka Rose of Weaver High School sees a world without racism at ``. 
. . the time of birth and death.'' Infants lay side by side in a 
nursery, regardless of color, creed or heritage, and at death we lay 
side by side as ``. . . death knows no color or race.'' Michelle Davis 
of Weaver High School imagines a world without racism in which we would 
not have war, fewer people would be incarcerated and more people would 
have jobs. This world, Michelle says, does not have to be a dream.
  Mizzara Belton of Weaver High School says that ``The thought of 
excluding racism from my world is a joy.'' She envisions a society 
where the color of one's skin would not affect the treatment you 
receive in a department store, your educational opportunities or 
prospects for employment. Finally, Kelly Citroni of Bolton High School 
considers those who have died as a result of racism. The holocaust and 
slavery might never have happened, there would be no Ku Klux Klan, and 
Dr. Martin Luther King would not have been killed at the hands of a ``. 
. . person prejudiced against his skin color.'' Our world, Kelly 
concludes, would experience ``dramatic change for the better'' without 
racism.
  I am extremely proud of these young people and their thought-
provoking essays. Each student is able to describe the beauty of a 
world without racism while sharing personal experiences and dreams.
  These Connecticut students are well aware of the effects of racism. 
Most of them have experienced first-hand the pain of hatred and 
prejudice. Their essays, however, illustrate the hope that lies in each 
and every city throughout our great country. One must only stop to 
listen to the dreams of our youth to see that blossoms of hope and 
optimism are flourishing among us. These young people can help us 
appreciate that we do not have to live with racism. If we close our 
eyes and imagine all people are one, we can envision the joy of a world 
without racism.

                          ____________________