“How have the events in 2020/2021 impacted you and/or your community and how would you mend the cultural divide in this country?” I wanted to shout! I wanted The cultural divide in this to stand with my people. I wanted to be involved so my voice could be heard. I didn’t want to just stand back and do nothing. But I was scared. If I had a sign to hold it would have said, “No Justice, No Peace, Prosecute the Police!” Events in 2020, such as COVID-19, systemic racism, and social injustice (History, 2021) impacted me by making me realize that the world is not a happy cheerful place like I thought it was. There are bad things going on around the world, but a lot of people did not know it because they did not see it. Now, because of social media people are seeing these bad things. Every time I turned on the tv I would see someone being killed. People of my own race. They were on the news, and even in social media. I couldn’t watch it all because it made me scared. I was traumatized! Being quarantined had me anxious and eager to get outside, and although I wanted my voice to be heard, I was afraid of COVID-19. Once school opened, I was able to see my friends and learn they were okay, I was able to focus and find ways to use my voice. country has helped me to want to do more within my community. Even though I struggle with expressing myself, I did want to try when I heard my classmates were organizing a walk out. I was thinking,” My education is important! I am the future! How can I not use my voice while lawmakers work to pass bills that will affect me?” I wanted to participate in the protest because they have to pay attention to us. I didn’t want my voice to be silenced again. So, I joined my classmates in the protest. We were protesting two bills under consideration by the Iowa Legislature, which would ban state and local governments and public schools and colleges from teaching certain “divisive concepts” as part of diversity and sensitivity trainings (Gruber-Miller, 2021). The passing of these bills would affect me, and I felt the need to speak up, because how can we mend the cultural divide if we remain silent? I believe we have to use our voices to teach others and expose those things that are dividing us. Audrey Lorde said it best, “Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity.” (Humedica International Lanka, n.d.). The beauty in this world is seen in the diversity of its people. I am more aware about what is going on in the world around me and less self-centered because of the events that took place during 2020, and I want to work with others to mend the cultural divide. I understand it starts in my community. I may only be a teenager, but I can initiate events like my classmates. I believe that when people get to know each other it helps dissolve stereotypes. “A cultural barrier in communication occurs mainly when communication happens between two different cultural backgrounds,” (Communication Theory, n.d.). We have to learn to listen to each other’s voices. 2020, has made me a better person because now I understand, “the best way to resolve or handle cultural conflict is by learning about other cultures,” (Penn State, 2019).
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