Susanna Kasparov, 1/11/21, Pd. 8, Day C

 Susanna Kasparov

Period 8 - Day C

01/11/2021

Modern Mythology 2021

1. What are your thoughts and feelings about issues of inequity, oppression, and/or power?

Growing up in New York City, the heart of different cultures, beliefs, and other forms of expression, I have met many people from various backgrounds and appreciate the beauty in all of them. I have always admired how in New York, truly anything goes and how unbothered we are. No matter who you are, you have a home here. That’s what my parents, who are Armenian and Russian, hoped for me and my sister when emigrating here after surviving through a genocide and war. Many people know of the Armenian genocide that occurred in the 1910s caused by the Ottoman Empire, (even though it has not been recognized by most countries). However, Armenians were persecuted again by Turkish-Azerbaijani soldiers back in the ’90s in Baku, where my family lived. Hearing their horrifying tales of suffering and injustice all my life, I have learned to not hold hate in my heart for anybody. Now, seeing the state of our country, it’s hard for me to fathom another place as unaccepting as the one I have been forced to witness. Though unity is what our country needs right now with this pandemic, waking up to many devastating headlines on the news everyday surrounding police brutality, hate crimes, people protesting to not wear masks, and currently the riot that occurred at the Capitol, makes me realize how desperately our country needs change. There is so much corruption happening behind closed doors, such as the lack of prosecution against cops who clearly demonstrated brutality on the basis of race. There is so much violence, towards Asian Americans as a result of the coronavirus, towards African Americans from police and ordinary citizens, towards the LGTBQ+ community, and so many other groups and identities. What’s even scarier to me is the reemergence of hate organizations such as the KKK and Nazis. Though people are more educated and accepting now, the appearance of these organizations again is an indication that our country’s foundation on slavery and oppression is much deeper than just putting bills or amendments in place. It’s a mentality that unfortunately many people refuse to change. I believe change has begun, and the Black Lives Matter movement has brought a lot of attention to the ongoing systematic racism our country is built on. To some, removing symbols of our country’s dark origins, such as confederate statues, is erasing history. However, I believe it’s a start to healing from the oppression caused, and a way to stop idolizing the wrong side of history. There is a long way to go, but as long as our generation and futures ones become more educated, I have hope. Hope that one day, our country will become a more accepting and safe place for not just my own kids, but for all of them. 

2. How do you reflect critically on your own beliefs, assumptions, values, and experiences, and how these can influence your perception of self and others?

If someone were to ask me what I feel when I watch the news, all I can think of is frustrated. For most of my life, I have felt helpless and trapped. Anything I believe or say has constantly been dismissed because I’m just a “teenage girl” who doesn’t have any life experience and doesn’t know what they’re talking about. And to some extent, that’s probably true, since I do have my whole life ahead of me. But I’m frustrated with my life being dictated and being unable to help people because I’m just an ordinary person. Joining Junior Statesmen of America was an outlet for me to express my discontent with the world and different social and political issues. I also was able to learn on both sides of specific issues, and create a more educated perspective. I have always been a open-minded person and one without judgement and now, leaving to college, I realize I want to do more. I wish to have a glimpse into a world outside my own, and meet others from all walks of life. I also want to raise awareness and create a change, helping those who are oppressed and don’t have a voice. I have always been frustrated with how issues are handled, and I realize that I am tired of waiting for someone else to create a change. It begins with me, and I hope to start pushing for change in my own community, and carry that to college and beyond and leave a more wide-scale impact.