Hidden Shadows in the Silence
This week’s spotlight story is written by 14-year-old Math student Tia Nesbit! Tia’s powerful story helps us see how racism can be quiet and not always easy to spot. She shows us how important it is to talk about these things, even if the people around us don’t.
To our readers, we encourage you to read Tia's story and consider the ways in which we can all contribute to an equal and just society. Let her writing be a starting point for conversations about systemic racism and inspire you to think about how you can make a difference in your community and beyond. Thank you again, Tia, for your amazing story. It doesn’t just tell us about a problem – it encourages us to be part of the change. Let’s all think about how we can help make the world a place where everyone is treated fairly and kindly.
My name is Tia, and I'm of mixed heritage. Throughout my life, I've gone through struggles with my identity and belonging, but the silver lining is that it has given me a different perspective on the world around me. Growing up, I learned that racism isn't always an obvious declaration; it can be subtle through our daily lives in ways we might not immediately recognize.
This created my personal passion to shed light on the hidden ways racism manifests itself. I want to explore and reveal discrimination that goes unnoticed but are equally impactful. It's my belief that by sharing stories like my character, Maya, we can begin to talk about systemic racism by bringing it to light.
But, my goal doesn't stop at storytelling. I want to pursue a career in policy or law, to create positive change. I see a future where our systems are clean from racial bias and injustice and I'm committed to being an active participant in creating that reality. By addressing systemic racism, I hope to contribute to a world where equity and justice are experienced by all.
This is my story: Hidden Shadows in the Silence.
At thirteen, Maya's world was a collage of school projects, friendships of shared secrets, and a curiosity about the world beyond her textbooks. Yet, as autumn leaves began to dance to the ground, Maya had no idea that she was in for a wake-up call.
Maya's morning routine was started by the soft hum of her mother's voice, a comforting melody that filled their cozy kitchen.
"Make it a great day, Maya," her mom would say and it was a mantra that Maya carried with her as she stepped out for the morning.
School was full of experiences. She thrived in learning and her hand was always shooting up when there was a question. Yet, as days passed, Maya began to sense a change that clouded her clear sky.
It started with whispers, like shadows that vanish when you turn to face them. Maya noticed the hesitation in her teacher's eyes when she asked too many questions, the polite smiles that didn't quite reach the eyes of her classmates.
"Maybe they're just having a bad day," Maya would tell herself, but the seed of doubt had taken root.
The realization came on a normal day. Maya had spent hours on a science project, her kitchen was transformed into a laboratory! She presented her science findings with enthusiasm and curiosity, but the applause was weak in the classroom. The praise felt like a surprise rather than acknowledgment of her hard work. Confusion came upon Maya. Her heart filled with the joy of a well-received project but then she overheard a conversation that made her heart sink.
"It's nice they're trying to be inclusive, but you know she got picked because they have to meet their diversity quota," said a voice, laced with ignorance and possibly the truths.
Maya's project, her pride, suddenly felt like a token, a box checked on someone's list of good deeds.
Maya found herself viewing her school, her town and her existence very differently. Racism wasn't always a shout but sometimes a whisper, not always a barrier but it was pulling you in directions you didn't choose.
With this new understanding, Maya began to live her life differently. She found peace in her family's strength in the stories of those who had walked this path before and courage in the knowledge that her voice had the power to be heard through the silence. To turn her pain into purpose, Maya started writing. She wrote about the shadows and the light and about the lines that divide empathy and understanding. Her blog became an outlet for her thoughts, a place where she could speak her truth and invite others to see the world through her eyes while having a place of belonging.
As Maya's words found their way into the hearts of readers, a change began to stir within her school. Discussions about diversity and inclusion started to fire up classroom conversations and teachers began to think about their actions, and classmates started to question their beliefs. Still, Maya's journey was far from over, but with each step she was rewriting her story. She learned that change begins with a whisper, with the courage to share your story and by listening to the stories of others.
Through Maya, we see hope for a future where we can all be united. This story is a reminder that while racism can be invisible like the air we breathe, so is the power of empathy, understanding, and the passion to create a world where diversity, equity, and inclusion is present.