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Jan. 9, 2001 continued   back to press release

Excerpts from winners of essay, poster contests honoring Dr. King

Following are excerpts from many of the essays submitted:

Grades 7-8

Christian Ginez, grade 7, Crossroads Middle School

The division between blacks and whites in America has worsened because of grievances over the Florida vote count. Therefore, it should be your priority to take meaningful steps toward healing racial problems. I humbly suggest three courses of action.

The office of Housing and Urban Development should launch a racial harmony advertising campaign. Its objective would be to highlight, on national television, cities that have begun to bridge the racial divide.

Secondly, Secretary of State Colin Powell should sponsor a series of national town meetings on race relations. These forums would answer citizens' questions, discover their concerns, and accept suggestions on how to dissolve racial tensions….

Lastly, you should appoint a "Race Relations Czar" to help achieve your proposals. In addition to working on the problems brought out in the town meetings, the Czar would set up taskforces to tackle institutional racism. They would work to eliminate racial profiling, environmental racism, and economic discrimination. Furthermore, the Czar could serve as plaintiff in lawsuits, forcing institutions into compliance with anti-discrimination laws.

Amena Rahman, grade 7, Crockett Middle School

Teach racial tolerance and multiculturalism in schools from an early age and continue through higher education.

Work on resolving racially motivated conflicts by teaching peer mediation …

Diversity lessons should teach children about other cultures and that each is important in its own way and contributes to the diversity of the nation.

Workplaces should do everything they can to promote racial tolerance and seriously address any problems that occur.

The government should seriously investigate violations of the civil rights of any minorities in racial issues and take serious action so that everyone feels as though their rights are as valuable as anyone else's. 

Andrew Petillo, grade 8, Melvin H. Kreps Middle School

As President, you can deliver speeches that encourage citizens to treat people from different cultures, races and religions equally…. You also could set a powerful example by selecting Cabinet members from different cultures, religions and colors…. If the public sees that the President treats everyone equally, that will set a strong example for others to follow.

As President, you can make certain that the nation's laws against discrimination are vigorously enforced. Citizens who violate these laws should receive swift and harsh punishment. By encouraging quick legal action against persons who commit "hate" crimes, you can influence the conduct of others… You also should encourage businesses to avoid discrimination of any kind. Companies should hire the most qualified employees, and do business with all persons, without regard to their heritage, religion or race. 

Jane Dobkin, grade 7, John Witherspoon Middle School

I think you could do numerous things… One is that you could have more diversity in the government. Another is that you could help stop racial profiling. One last point isthat you could make it possible for more people of different races to become teachers.

Melissa Gomes, grade 8, Melvin H. Kreps Middle School

I think you should suggest a national law stating that all children should start learning a second language from the second grade. I believe that this … would help inform kids from a young age about different cultures …

Chelsea Jones, grade 7, Columbus Elementary School

My first suggestion is to give the poorer or less fortunate schools more money instead of giving the more fortunate schools the money. Some schools need to be rebuilt and some need more supplies…. To me it seems that the worst schools are in the inner-city communities where Blacks and Hispanics are in the majority.

Francesca Larson, grade 7, Stuart Country Day School

Our country needs to find ways to end the destructive hatred among groups and bring together all people of all different races and cultures as one group. The two main ways to accomplish this are through education and improving our justice system.

Education is so important because while we can't alter what has happened in the past, we can have a tremendous impact on the future of our country…. We must help people recognize racism and understand that being racist is destructive to America.

As a country, we also need to examine our system of justice and change those aspects which foster racism or have a racially discriminatory impact. For example, the death penalty continues to be applied to a grossly disproportionate number of minority people in this country. Many of the drug laws in this country impact most harshly on minority and poor people. Racial profiling by law enforcement officers is a nationwide problem with minorities being illegally stopped and searched simply because of the color of their skin. Further, there are few minority members on the staffs of our nation's courts. Our system must strive to treat all fairly so that there truly is justice for all.

Alexander Littauer, grade 8, Chapin School

Selecting Colin Powell as your Secretary of State may be a good start, but I am primarily concerned about the voting issues that this election raised for the black population in this country…. A large number of black voters felt that they were disenfranchised. There are complaints from leaders in the black community that many blacks were completely denied the right to vote. The problems include assertions of police intimidation, mismanaged voter registrations, ineffective voting machines, early closings of the polls, closing the polls while there were still long lines of people waiting to vote and no assistance with voting instructions.

If you want to mend fences, I suggest that you set up a commission to investigate all the election problems … and that you immediately give federal aid to poor … communities to buy the best voting machines available…. I also suggest that you declare Election Day a national holiday and that all polling stations be open for 24 hours so that everyone, no matter what their job, has an opportunity to vote.

Joseph Moore, grade 8, St. Paul's School

There should be rules regulating that when new housing is built, there must be a certain number of lower, middle and upper-income homes built. By doing this, there will be a chance for people to grow up together and get used to each other.

Katharine Silberstein, grade 7, Crockett Middle School

I believe, Mr. President, that one point you repeatedly made in your campaign was that you would leave no child behind. In order to improve the race relations of the United States and perhaps the world, you should listen to Dr. King's dreams and stay true to your word. Please leave no child behind; create and enforce new laws that will protect all children of every gender, race and creed… Also, visit schools and public places …, speak out against violence towards others, and lead our country with pride…

Luis Akena, grade 7, Crossroads Middle School

How can we prevent cases like racial profiling, the ethnic war of Yugoslavia, and wars like the one between Palestine and Israel? … The differences between human groups are not the results of their physical appearances or religion. They are the consequences of historical, social, economic, educational, and political circumstances…. Education is the key. People that are not educated are always going to see differences and disadvantages instead of ways to reach other people with different physical appearances and backgrounds.

Timur Babakol, grade 7, Chapin School

Our competitive nature and strong egoism prevent us from seeing the people around us as our equals. I believe our egoistic nature and the need to be superior are the nature of racism …

Wyatt Byrne, grade 8, St. Paul's School

Promoting understanding between people of different backgrounds would help bring our country together. You could institute programs that would bring children together…. Perhaps you could have a section of Camp David reserved for a summer camp for children from all 50 states.

John Calcerano, grade 8, St. Paul's School

The U.S. Constitution states, rather clearly I might add, that no illegal search and seizure will take place without sufficient reason or suspicion to do so. What I propose … is that a federal investigation take place in the states in which racial profiling is suspected. If such irregularities are found, adequate punishment must be enforced. This must be stopped before it spreads.

Jacqueline Davis, grade 8, Crossroads Middle School

The key to success is patience, acceptance and determination…. You must be determined to change how you feel toward others…. Acceptance is mandatory when it comes to differences. … Many people are unwilling to accept others with differences. That is why patience is there. Without patience, there is no point in trying to improve relations with any person, let alone an entire race. Persistence but not pushiness is needed … You will not succeed on the first try…. But if you have the heart to try, then your efforts will not be forgotten.

Chris Gatsch, grade 8, Chapin School

Dr. King also struggled with elections, but he struggled to make sure that all people had the right to vote. It was interesting that in 2000 there was very little argument about people having the right to vote, but the people were only concerned with being sure that their votes were counted.

Hannah Gursky, grade 8, John Witherspoon Middle School

You should remind the people that everyone, no matter who they are, has some fear of strangers (or of people who seem different). Wars are fought because of this kind of fear. America is special among nations because people from many lands came to live here. Therefore, we Americans feel more comfortable with difference than most other people in the world…. However, people still lose track of how much the same we all are, because of our superficial differences…. When we can acknowledge our fear and recognize how similar we are, we will achieve Dr. King's dream of America.

Brandon Hartmann, grade 7, Chapin School

Another problem in American society today is racism at the polls…. The election will not be fair and the person who is elected president may not have won the election because a number of black people were not permitted to include their vote in the ballot box. This is pure and simple racism…. I think that the simplest solution to this problem would be if the state or the federal government put an observer at each of the polls to make sure that each and every vote counts.

Sarah Harwood, grade 8, John Witherspoon Middle School

As thirteen colonies, the United States united together against England. We united together against Germany in World War One, against Japan in World War Two, against Russia in the Cold War. But are we really united? … We need to unite together against racism. By being able to treat everyone equally without caring about the color of skin, we can really be called The United States of America.

Matt Kreger, grade 8, The Hun School of Princeton

The only way for one man to do something is to get the word out. Now you are a powerful man and I am an 8th grader. You can do so much more than I can and I hope that you can help end racism.

Jason Lopez, grade 7, Hedgepeth/Williams Middle School

It is difficult for me to believe that some of our policemen are racist. The police are the backbone of our society. They protect us from harm. That is why it is hard for me to believe. Unfortunately it is a reality. Racial profiling … is a reality and not a myth.

Kali McMillan, grade 7, Stuart Country Day School

I live in New Jersey and the neighborhoods are segregated…. The cities have inferior schools while the suburbs have better schools. Dr. King fought to give all people an equal chance. I don't understand what happened.

Wesley McWhite, grade 8, Sacred Heart School

First I would try to be as honest with the people of America as possible when it concerns racial issues… Secondly, try to … show different races that you care about their issues, such as hate crimes and groups, racial profiling and police brutality.

Ruth Morrow, grade 8, Chapin School

The first suggestion I have is to appoint more men and women of different races to the cabinet… I think representation brings a new air of respect for that particular race. The second suggestion … is to be strong in your support for affirmative action in colleges, businesses and schools. If there were more different types of races interacting with each other, we would become more aware of one another. Such interaction might lead to more interracial friendships and relationships.

Vanessa Nater, grade 8, Hedgepeth/Williams Middle School

People spend most of their lives criticizing others without even knowing them. We all do it at some point in our lives…. Life is about getting along with others…

Angel Nazario, Jr., grade 7, Columbus Elementary School

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was fighting for peace. I think that's what you should be doing also, Mr. President…. I think you should try to keep guns off the streets and stop violence. And you should help get drugs off the streets and help poor people start a new life by giving them money, a job, and a place to stay…. Mr. President, you should say to the people of the United States that you will try your best…. And when you make a promise you will keep that promise.

Lily Parrott, grade 7, Stuart Country Day School

I urge you to issue an executive order prohibiting prosecutors in the Justice Department from seeking the death penalty. It has been proven that black people convicted of murder are more likely to be given the death penalty than white people convicted of murder…. Likewise, it has been shown that blacks convicted of killing whites receive the death penalty more often than blacks who are convicted of murdering blacks. I believe that this is race discrimination…. In the spirit of Jesus, I hope that you will breathe life into the teachings of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., and put an end to the death penalty.

Manuel Rivera, grade 7, Columbus Elementary School

To improve our schools you should create a group that … every Friday would talk to the children in the school about racism and help them face their fears about racism. The other place where the President can help is in public places. Some people are treated unfairly in stores and in restaurants … they are turned away, due to the color of their skin or their race.

Marielle Rousseau, grade 8, Chapin School

If there is to be equality in our country, there must at least be a fair chance at life. Unemployment may have gone down, yet 65% of those unemployed are African-Americans, and there are more young African-Americans in prison than in college. Mr. President, you are undoubtedly aware of the extravagant amount of money spent on election campaigns while there are children in this country who go to bed hungry. It is difficult for a hungry child to envisage tomorrow when today looks so bleak. We must, therefore, provide for every child the finest quality of education to promote equal opportunities for a secure future…. The road to freedom, Mr. President, begins with equal opportunities for all.

Kulin Shah, grade 7, Community Middle School of West Windsor/Plainsboro

We should create an awareness of racial discrimination in our schools and universities. Teach our kids to love, respect and adopt different cultures. Maybe even establish and enforce new and firm laws on race relations. Create opportunities for minorities. Whatever you do, think hard about how some people are being treated and put yourself in their shoes…

Shyam Sheth, grade 7, Reynolds Middle School

My school has a club called "The Multicultural Club." This club allows people of different racial backgrounds to talk about the problems they face regarding racism and ethnic issues…. If clubs like these are created for middle schools, racism can be reduced at a young age.

Piyali Sircar, grade 8, Thomas R. Grover Middle School

In my school district of West Windsor-Plainsboro, there is a requirement in the eighth grade curriculum about world cultures education…. If this program would be mandated in all schools all over the country, people would be more exposed to cultures.

Anne Washburn, grade 7, Chapin School

African-Americans are denied loans on houses at three times the frequency experienced by whites of equal economic status…. In paired testing, blacks received less information, less time with the loan officer, and were quoted higher loan rates than whites…. To solve this inequality, I would encourage the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to institute frequent paired testings at various loan centers…. HUD would use this data to impose sanctions and penalties on the institutions that discriminated in their lending practices.

Joseph Welch, grade 8, Columbus Elementary School

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., talked and fought for human rights. He really talked about conflict resolution.

Curtis Zedalis, grade 8, Melvin H. Kreps Middle School

When you give any speech or sign any bill, remember it must represent every human being who lives in our country. Remember Martin Luther King, Jr., and everything he stood up for, what he went through, and what he died for. Remember what Abraham Lincoln stood up for, and what he died for. Many people are basically putting any future they can have in your hands; you have the power to help children, but you have the power to hinder children also.

Grades 9-10

Juliana Kunz, grade 10, Stuart Country Day School

Time will do much to cultivate respect and understanding between races, but there are further ways the government could encourage the process. First of all, I believe we should abolish the death penalty nationwide. The penalty is controversial in itself, but it has had a particularly devastating effect on interracial relations. It is an established fact that minorities are currently sentenced to execution at disproportionately high rates, which suggests a lapse of justice in our courts. Death is a severe penalty to inflict, and until we can assign it fairly, it is best that we avoid it altogether.

Second, we should strive to eliminate racial profiling by law enforcement officers…. I think the best way to change this is to continue to raise awareness, so that people will recognize the problem and can speak out when they see it happening.

My third and most important suggestion stems from experiences in public school. The best way to build community across racial barriers is to bring people of different backgrounds together where they can build relationships…. Large class sizes are an impediment to getting to know people outside of one's own group…. If we want students to profit from diversity in their schools, we need to fund them better to achieve smaller classes.

Lindsay Grabowski, grade 10, Stuart Country Day School

Every American citizen should have an equal opportunity to a job, education and success…. Although we cannot change racists to non-racists, we can empower those who are discriminated against through education, after-school programs, day care, and improvements in mass transportation.

MarTynique Ferguson, grade 10, Princeton High School

I think something needs to be done about the image of African-Americans in our country. This might start with simply advising movie producers and advertising agencies about the images they put on television … And, of course, we can't forget the powerful influence of the movies. Racial stereotyping has to cease…

Katherine Ludlow, grade 9, Stuart Country Day School

Education can give children of all races an equal opportunity to succeed in life. However, inner city schools and other underprivileged areas are having trouble achieving this. These schools are overcrowded and have poor resources. They have few computers, outdated teaching materials and run-down facilities…. The majority of the students drop out or graduate with a minimal level of education… This leads to an endless cycle of under-achievement and poor prospects, year after year and from generation to generation…. One way to bring about Dr. King's dream is to put more responsibility on American corporations. For example, a large company could adopt an inner city school instead of paying a portion of their taxes. These companies would be responsible for helping schools achieve a higher standard…. In this way, society as a whole is contributing to the communities that are most in need of help.

Kavita Mathews, grade 9, Stuart Country Day

Students from quality teaching institutions should be provided with an incentive to teach in underprivileged school systems, such as forgiving student loans in return for 2-3 years of teaching in such school systems. Second, special housing subsidies to minorities to enable them to buy/rent housing in areas with superior school systems. Third, funding advanced programs in basic and high-tech subjects through grants will increase the level of education…

Dana Smith, grade 9, Stuart Country Day School

Each of the stars on the American flag represents one of the United States. The stars are all uniform but the people they represent are not all equal….

One issue raised during the Presidential Debates was racial profiling. When police are guilty of racial profiling, they have to face a law that does not permit discrimination. Ordinary citizens are guilty of racial profiling every day in their attitudes toward people of different races. What can be done about this? I suggest that an educational program like D.A.R.E. be used in all of the schools in the United States. This program would teach children what problems exist, how they affect minority groups and what our society can do to improve race relations.

Priscilla Thambiah, grade 10, Stuart Country Day School

For many children, adults who have some type of authority take on the pressure of being a role model. For every child in this country, you, sir, are our authority figure. Every American who is watching a national broadcast will take your actions and statements about this issue to heart. No one is asking you to be superman. We are, however, asking that you make a sincere effort, which can be revealed through your actions.

Kerry Gavaghan, grade 9, Villa Victoria Academy

How can our country say that we are a huge melting pot of people when, on a form, they need to ask what race you are? Why is stating your race necessary? Saying our country is united is hypocritical when having this question. In other circumstances, such as medical forms, stating your race does matter because some races are more susceptible to some diseases than others. However, race is not essential in any other situation…

Suzanne George, grade 10, Stuart Country Day School

Lately, America has slipped into a passive, almost indifferent attitude towards racism. The fight against racism needs to be re-ignited, and it is your role, Mr. President, to take the initiative…. Racism exists in stereotypes and prejudices. The presence of these prejudices cannot be extinguished, but people can be taught not to use stereotypes as a standard by which to judge or treat others. Education is necessary to combat the ignorance. Children, and even adults with set values, must be exposed to positive diversity. This can be accomplished especially through the power of the media.

Uriel Bravo Guzman, grade 10, Princeton High School

In my school there is no academic support group for Latinos. I believe that it would be beneficial to Latinos if you can start an organization to improve academic support for Latinos across the United States…. Some students lack proper English speaking skills. This inhibits them from progressing both academically and professionally.

Rafe Hand Kinsey, grade 9, Princeton High School

To Kill a Mockingbird and Malcolm X's Autobiography have been two of the most influential books in my life because they have taught me about discrimination.

Caitlin Harris, grade 10, Stuart Country Day School

The job of the government was to make all races equal in the eyes of the law. The government did that a while ago, but it didn't end the discrimination or the hatred between races. All that is left for the government to do is put a stop to the racial discrimination in the police force. The ability to enforce the law is the ability to have an undeniable power over others. From what I've seen and experienced, many use this power as a way of discriminating against people of other races. Other than that, it is my opinion that the government can't do much more…. It's up to the individual to make personal changes in the way they view people of other races.

Sally Maier, grade 10, Stuart Country Day School

Dr. King's vision was about people of all races joining together peacefully and willingly. It was about more than basic freedoms, than integrated public areas. His dream was a place where one feels as comfortable taking an empty seat next to someone of another race as with someone of his or her own. Where people befriend each other based on similarities deeper than race. Today, we no longer need to concentrate only on forced segregation. The problem that seems to be plaguing my generation is self-segregation…. Our generation does not fight to join together. We move to stay apart. There is rarely any hate for other groups because of their race. There is a boundary, however, and when one crosses that boundary, uncomfortableness is almost always the result. Racial slurs probably won't be used. There will be no angry mob. But conversation might stop. People look, surprised to see a different face. Maybe if the economic gap were closed, there would be greater willingness to break the boundary…. Friendships can only be as diverse as the environment in which they are formed.

Siobhan McCarty, grade 10, Stuart Country Day School

It is critical that there be stricter gun-control laws that prevent weapons from landing in the hands of our children… Police officers in England are forbidden to carry guns in the streets. If these officers cannot even carry guns, then why in America are there 5 year old children killing their peers?

Joey Ochanas, grade 9, Lawrence High School

I think the internet is a great tool, but it does contain negative information that must be removed. It is just too simple to get hate information on to a computer screen. Go to any search engine and type in "Ku Klux Klan." Boom, 1,000 hateful websites pop up. This must be stopped.

Sarah Pierpont, grade 9, Stuart Country Day School

E pluribus unum: out of many, one. Our nation's saying reflects the way our country should be: hundreds of cultures, molded into one solid community.

Erin Plank, grade 10, Villa Victoria Academy

We will try to find each other's positive qualities, rather than try to pick out anything bad in one another's lives. As Jesse Jackson says, "The only justification for ever looking down on somebody is to pick them up."

Katrina Procaccini, grade 9, Stuart Country Day School

Now we are in the year 2000 where racial profiling, racial slurs and prejudice are all still evident in our society. Now where is our mediator? Now who is here to keep us level-headed? Who is this person? Well, congratulations Mr. President, you got the job!

Tracy Statter, grade 10, Stuart Country Day School

As Ella J. Baker, a civil rights organizer said, "Give light and people will find the way." This is exactly what you need to do. Bring this issue up when you are addressing the nation as a whole, campaigning, or even just talking casually. Make people aware of the problem and suggest possible solutions. Bring it from the back of everyone's minds to the front…. And the most important part, give them an example to follow.

Ashley Thompson, grade 9, Lawrence High School

The first step is recognizing that racism is not something that only certain groups have to deal with. Racism is widespread, and whether you are black, white, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American, racism is something that everyone deals with, either directly or indirectly.

Stephanie Wentzel, grade 9, Villa Victoria Academy

I have a truth or dare question for you. Truth: Why do you ask Americans their race in the census? Dare: Take those particular questions off the census next time it comes around to editing it. The color of our skin or where we are from is superfluous to know, so why question it?

Grades 11-12

Nick Shungu, grade 11, Lawrence High School

You must address the public about the race issue, and confirm that your administration is committed to overcoming it. One major reform that is necessary … is to educate the youth on the beliefs and histories of other cultures. African, Asian, and South American history should be made mandatory learning material, along with the histories of Europe and North America…. The government must also establish programs to aid minorities in urban areas, such as kids clubs, job training programs, and adult education classes. Our government now possesses the largest surplus in national history. Instead of returning this money through tax cuts, the surplus should be used to establish long range productive programs for some of our nation's most needy.

Elizabeth Catanese, grade 11, Stuart Country Day School

Just as Lincoln was able to create a union of states, I believe that, at a federal level, you can create a union of spirit within the American people. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., worked to promote equality by helping to stop segregation and outright discrimination… Today, your administration can further these goals by providing federal funding to promote affirmative action. Federal funding should be given to investigate racial profiling. In addition, something greater must be done…. How can non-minorities learn to respect the character and intellect of minorities if they are not exposed to this character and intellect? I propose that you allocate money for federally sponsored community service programs where the future generation of adults, both black and white, can solve problems through working together. This program will help all Americans see the paradoxical nature of diversity and unity.

Annie Butler, grade 11, Stuart Country Day School

Instances of racial profiling have increased in recent years, and if the United States has any hope of improving race relations it must eliminate such practices. Evidence of poor race relations in our nation can be found as recently as the 2000 election with its allegations of intimidation with the intent to keep minorities in Florida from voting…. Support for youth leadership training programs is necessary in hopes that this nation will once again see a leader like Dr. King who can inspire our nation to follow in his footsteps. Until such a leader emerges, Mr. President, I look to you to do all that is in your power to improve race relations in our nation.

Krysten Fertonardo, grade 12, Stuart Country Day School

One way in which you might work to achieve Dr. King's goal of respect and tolerance is to simply set a good example. It may seem obvious but it can make a difference…. The improvement of race relations in this country can begin with you, but it will end there if the younger generations are not educated. Improving and solidifying educational opportunities is essential… As we have seen in the part, ignorance breeds misunderstanding and hate. By teaching a child to understand rather than to judge, barriers can be broken down…

Liz Foster, grade 11, Lawrence High School

School clubs devoted to racial equality should also be an integral part of educating and intermingling races. Activities such as visiting different community centers and speaking about race would be a great way to spread community unity.

Noor Ibrahim, grade 11, Princeton High School

Many people do not realize that they are ignorant, and ignorance brings prejudice. With prejudice, we have racism, and with racism we have hate, fear, and war…. Education brings knowledge, and knowledge can bring an end to racism.

Cristina Salmastrelli, grade 12, Stuart Country Day School

Our written laws have not prevented the ongoing racial slurs in the twenty-first century… Each day someone is denied a job because of their skin color or is shouted at with derogatory terms. Racism is a disease that takes years to cure…. It needs to be treated just like any other disease. Prevention is the only real cure, therefore education is the first and best treatment.

Nicole Fahrenfeld, grade 11, Lawrence High School

Please remember we "have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people." You have the ability to break this silence…. Our nation needs to ensure that all Americans, including Latin and Asian, have the same opportunities and treatment.

Sarah Molinelli, grade 12, Stuart Country Day School

It is a fact that "birds of a color flock together." Knowing this, why don't we, as a country, encourage more rallies and celebrations of diversity, therefore bringing together every "bird" possible?

Qudsiya Naqui, grade 11, Stuart Country Day School

Dr. King's fundamental ideals of a society in which race does not factor in the equation can be applied to countless instances of oppression today. Conflicts in Kosovo, Israel, Pakistan, these are issues which demand attention and the re-evaluation of human worth.

Celeste Panfil, grade 11, McCorristin Catholic High School

Technological and medical advancements are made every day. Why can't race relations improve as well? The right to present a law to Congress, and veto a law revised by Congress, is a presidential power. This empowers you, the President, to improve race relations by presenting laws and vetoing the revisions made by Congress … until the law is passed.

Ryan Tracy, grade 11, Lawrence High School

Two things can improve the overall relations between races: understanding and acceptance. When two races do not understand each other, it is very difficult for them to live together in peace…. I personally have a vision of a central community gathering place that houses athletic facilities, a library, lounges for any leisure activities, and anything else that might attract members of the community. Much like the large YMCA buildings that were common in American cities ten to fifteen years ago, these buildings would bring the community together…

Victoria Wiseman, grade 12, Stuart Country Day School

People can improve relations by avoiding stereotyping and closed-mindedness, over-generalizing, or applying individual characteristics to a group. When we return to seeing persons as individuals rather than as parts of groups, I believe we can truly uphold Dr. King's ideals.

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