Witnesses 3

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Student, Class of 2023

"Last night as I watched the news, I saw more black reporters talking about black pride. That is very unusual for Brazil, we are used to having mostly white reporters everywhere. However, it just shows how much this is affecting not only America, but the whole world, and it is an extremely beautiful and powerful thing to see."

Rafa Giangrande,

Class of 2022

The Talk

By Orlando Doull, Class of 2021

When I was twelve years old my father sat me down and gave me the talk.

He told me about sex, dicks and vaginas. 

My friend Nasir also got the talk, but his father wasn’t around to give it to him. 

We came back to school, both eager to share what we learned.

“Apparently, all girls have vaginas!” I shouted, but he stared at me.

“What’s a vagina?” He said, a notch in his brow.

“All our moms have one! Didn’t yours tell you?” 

His mom had told him something different.

“Nah. she told me about driving and stuff.”

“Driving?”

“Yep, driving. She told me to never wear a hoodie in my car.”

“But we always wear hoodies! They’re so comfy!”

He shrugged. “No hoodies, no loud music.”

I laughed. “You’re not serious, loud music!?” 

He shook his head. “No looking in your pockets, either.”

I began to laugh uncontrollably, “Okay. And I’m not allowed to breathe when I’m in the car!” I said through chuckles.

He didn’t laugh, he just stared at me for what felt like 400 years.

“You don’t understand.” He looked at me, as if we lived on separate planets.

But how could I understand? Twelve-year-olds think that their friends live the exact same lives, behind the same white fence.

He frowned. 

I yelled at him. Why was he so upset?

 “But my parents listen to loud music when we’re driving!” 

He shook his head, turning to leave me.

“Not in my neighborhood.” 

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David Gao, Class of 2023

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Student, Class of 2021