Perspectives

SCG Staff Articles

All Means All
Elizabeth Hirata Elizabeth Hirata

All Means All

As a young African American girl growing up in a rural, southern town, I thought life was great! From dangling from my grandmother’s apron as she hung freshly washed clothes to dry in the warm summer’s sun, to buying penny candy at the local general store, to playing hopscotch with my siblings and neighborhood friends, to riding in the back of Mr. Calvin Edward’s pickup truck to and from Sunday School, I believed I was living the good life. During Black History Month in my local church, we were encouraged to give speeches and to dress up as historical African American men and women who had integral roles in moving the African American race forward. I believed this to be a tradition that all cultures practiced. At such a young age, I did not understand the significance of why we celebrated Black History Month.

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The Impact of Racial Discrimination on Latino Women’s Mental Health
Elizabeth Hirata Elizabeth Hirata

The Impact of Racial Discrimination on Latino Women’s Mental Health

The Latino/a population encounters one of the most direct and cruel stereotypes in the United States. For Latinos in particular, it is very difficult to establish a credible reputation in American society despite all the efforts, the education, and the hard work put into these tasks. American-born individuals have the erroneous belief that Latinos, in particular, drain the country of its economic resources and do not contribute to a balanced economy. Some of them have even developed a racist ideology, prejudice, and nativist sentiments against this population.

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Is Peace Possible During a Pandemic?
Elizabeth Hirata Elizabeth Hirata

Is Peace Possible During a Pandemic?

And when those lonely, hopeless times come, and you feel weighed down by the darkness of this world on your shoulders, I encourage you to remember the promise of our faithful God who said "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

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