Doris Rodriguez
Miami, Fla.

We are in the midst of a fight for civil rights. The abrupt killings of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, and other unarmed black men have caused mass outrage. This summer, a massacre at a historic black church in Charleston made it clear that there is still much progress to be made. A Confederate flag flying near South Carolina’s capitol also highlighted that despite many advancements, symbols of racism have become ingrained in our everyday lives.

In July, protesters forced South Carolina to remove the flag. But many other streets, libraries, and even our currency, undeservedly honor historical figures that implemented racist policies. If we want to progress as a nation, we shouldn’t stop at removing the Confederate flag — we should reconsider the names of our schools. Continue reading →

Christina Gaspar
Oceanside, Calif.

Donald Trump started his surprisingly successful presidential campaign by pointing a finger at Mexico. “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best,” he said. “They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime. They’re rapists and some, I assume, are good people,” Trump argues that building a wall, paid by Mexico, would stop the influx of immigrants.

Mexican immigrants moved in large numbers toward the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. Of course, Mexican immigrants still continue to migrate, but now in smaller numbers. In the past few years most immigrants crossing the U.S. border with Mexico have been from other Central American countries. Continue reading →