Bigotry in the school could be an issue this school year from rising tensions that started from 2019 to 2021. From George Floyd to the COVID-19 vaccine, political tensions have risen now that students are back for this school year. In Eastmont High School, students need to break bad habits such as not using stereotypes, not being homophobic, and xenophobic relating to Chinese people. Students could break these habits by listening to minority groups and see issues from their perspective so they know what to change and progress. This can be as simple as saying “hi” to a fellow peer of different ethnicity and getting to know them.

Slurs have been casually used. Some of the slurs that you may hear often are the F-slur and R-slur, sure it may be around their friends when they laugh. However, at the end of the day, Those words aren’t great to say.

Ashton (10th) said “I’ve seen bigotry at the school often, the people, the people who stand up to it are often told not to and it needs to change.”

It’s unanimous that it can be rare for students to stand up to bigotry, and when they do, there’s backlash. The students that stand up to it are often told, “it’s just a joke.” in order to get less heat. Whether or not it’s a joke, it punches down on minority groups who may not have a voice as loud as a caucasian, heterosexual, cis-gendered male. Of course, not everyone will see it as bigoted and will see it as a joke. Maybe they themselves aren’t bigoted and can just see it as a joke with friends.

Alex (11th) claimed, “I don’t really see that much bigotry, if I do hear stuff like that, it’s mainly as a joke and not out of deep hatred.”

Not many people will have the same view as others, but it’s important to know that some people don’t view it as harmful and just words that you say to your friends.

Since everyone’s been stuck in the middle of a pandemic, that being the Delta Variant of COVID-19, there’s some slight bigotry because of it.

Chelsea (10th) stated, “I think if students were taught to be better, then they could definitely change, but it really does depend on their parents and family. There are always some bigoted jerks, but in general, this school doesn’t have a lot of them. It would definitely be nice to have everything change now; but, it’s really not gonna happen soon.”

Ever since COVID-19 ravaged the world, a lot of people have been using terms like “the China Virus” and “the Kung Flu”. It’s safe to say that it could come from the irrational fear of Chinese and Asians transmitting people the virus.

Ell (11th) mentioned, “I’ve heard The Kung Flu a couple of times. The bigotry and racism in this school is unacceptable and should be stopped. I feel like Eastmont can be a safe place for everyone. We can even change our peers’ behavior about things like talking about this.”