In response to Ashleigh Ward’s letter regarding racial labels, I’m the lady who was featured in the Oct. 27 article in the Daily entitled “Stereotypes more annoying than labels.”

I believe Ward missed the essence of the article. I was asked whether I preferred to be called African-American or black, and I answered Black American. I don’t think she comprehended the article because it stated that being called a Black American wasn’t my first choice.

I would love to identify myself as an American, but the world isn’t perfect or fair. Just because you were born in the United States or received citizenship here, doesn’t mean that you’re an American. Although it does mean that on paper, when you get out into the real world, you learn quickly that the paper that states you are an American won’t save you from racial injustices, racial profiling or anything else that affects you because you are a minority.

When I cry because I have faced these situations, you should also cry because your fellow American is being treated unfairly. My pain should be your pain.

Ward also mentioned how we were all human beings and that our bodies all worked the same. But guess what isn’t the same: Her skin and my skin.

I believe she has a false perception of the world. If we were all the same, then affirmative action wouldn’t have been implemented, because, in a perfect world, everybody is treated the same. A black man in America wouldn’t be timid every time a police officer pulls him over.

I’m not attacking Ms. Ward, I’m just exposing her to a piece of my world. Her reality is something that I, and people like me, struggle for every day. I’m literally fighting for my piece of the American party. Tell me, how does it taste?

Tekara Stewart

Senior

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