My column: Taking a stand against Racism

It seems that ever since the beginning of time there has been racism. The Webster’s dictionary defines racism as a belief that the difference in a person’s race has an inherent superiority. Racism has created arguments, division and even wars between every race in the world.
I believe that the reason why races discriminate against each other just based on differences is because we are a fearful. When things change or we are faced with diversity in people, our instincts tell us to be “on guard” or to retaliate with negativity. As normal human behavior, we are more comfortable with what we are familiar with. From the time we are children we are taught to notice differences in shapes, feelings, and even color.
Even in the times of the ancient Mediterranean regions, such as Greece and Rome, there is record of slavery of “inferior” races. Slaves have often been a sign of power and wealth. The most common examples of slavery to Americans was the slavery of the African Americans and then later in history the discrimination of the Jews by the Germans. African slaves were greatly mistreated by the Europeans. To some of the slaves it was a chance to work and live a better life but most were unfairly treated and lost all of their rights as human beings. The Emancipation Proclamation declared the freedom of the slaves of America and was issued the 22nd of September in the year of 1862. The slavery may have ended there but the racism didn’t. African Americans in the 20th century were discriminated against with restrictions on where they could go to school, shop, eat, or even the water fountains they were allowed to drink from. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was pasted and gave not only blacks but, every person of color the freedom from being discriminated.
The Holocaust. Since the 18th century, holocaust has been used to refer to the death of a large number of people. In a span of thirteen years an unimaginable amount of men women and even children were unrightfully killed for simply just being born a certain way. Adolf Hitler formed “Nazi Germany,” to rid the world of imperfection and weakness. Even today we are touched by this form of racism and discrimination.
We have repeated our history too many times when we don’t take a stand when we see open racism in our communities, workplace and schools. No matter if it’s something as large and horrific as the Holocaust or even as small as a racial slur in front of friends, it affects someone deeply and sets back the progress of acceptance we strive for in America.
I believe that as Americans, we should be proud to have such great diversity and character as a country and take a stand for acceptance and respect for the fellow man. As a country of individuals we can use our voice to speak up for the ones who are being prosecuted for race and beliefs.

Laura Ruez

I have agonized about who to write my profile about and have settled on Laura Ruiz. Laura Ruiz is the founder of Celebration Street Academy of Dance; she is a mother of two and a teacher of many of the classes provided at the Academy. The Academy was first located in a warehouse in Winston, Oregon. The studio looked normal from the outside, like an old warehouse, except the sparkly royal purple door used to enter the studio. It seemed put off the other owners of the buildings next to the studio, that owned car repair shops, to hear the sound of classical, pop, and hip hop music blaring from the studio. The inside of the studio was just a masterpiece of mirrors used for checking alignment and technique on the dance floor, and an observing room for parents and visitors. The attendance of the classes started to rise and Laura decided that the studio should look for a new place to conduct business.


It took months of searching but, Laura and the staff finally found another warehouse, in Winston, to conduct classes. The warehouse had more room for students on the dance floor and a separate office and changing room for the staff to work and the dancers to get ready for they're classes. Laura was sure that because of the new location of the new studio and the size, that the classes would continue to grow and more staff would be hired for classes. The door was quickly painted and the dancers soon made the new studio they're home away from home. Laura was very pleased with the new location but, felt that God wanted her to expand more and bring the studio to a more populated area.



After a year of being in the second "Winston" studio, and having much success in bringing more students into classes; Laura, as well as the staff, felt that it was time to move on with the studio and strive for a more public area. This area was about fifteen minutes north of Winston in the town of Roseburge. Yes, it was time to move again but, the move had to be made after the annual recital due to all the already present chaos that comes with the season. After two months of costume changes, eight hour practices, and dress rehearsals; the recital came and past. It was now time for Laura to make her move on buying the two story building in downtown, Roseburge. The building was perfect from the hardwood floors and plethera of mirrors to the dressing rooms, parents room(with a oneway mirror so that the dancers wouldn't get distracted by those watching practice) and the location. Not only did Laura show contempt about the change by saying "Well, we've finally found "The Spot," but the staff and students were happy to finally have a place where they could actually give understandable driving instructions to.

Laura has made three things priority in her life; serving God, raising her two amazing kids and running the Celebration Street Academy of Dance. And she is doing a beautiful job with all of them and plans to continue to do so.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Laura Ruez

Any of the houses my mom has.

Ever since I can remember, my mom has always made a house into a home. She leaves all her signature touches to the places she lives in. In our tiny duplex apartment in Burbank she owned a clock that smelled like wood polish that had a hint of lemony freshness and would play a song on the hour, which was so annoying and loud that it would wake you up every time it rang. My mom eventually lined the clock wall with a maxi pad to prevent the bells from making any sound. Outside the duplex were trees that left little pods that had very distinct oder that smelt gross when I first arrived there but, then later learned to love it when it was mixed with the Californian heat.
I loved the summertimes when my mom would bar-b-que hot dogs and corn and we would sit in the back yard on a blanket and eat our dinner in our bathing suits. Everything seemed to be perfect.
I love anywhere my mom lives because she makes these places home but, I love the duplex because those were the times I shared with only my mom. I think about them and know that she helped me appreciate the little things in life and to recognize the times when your happy just to be with the people you love.