María Schindler

It sounds challenging to eliminate stereotypes and gaps; however, there is something we can do as ordinary people — we can learn to be forgiving, respectful, and in awe of others who have different religions or beliefs than we do.

I take great pride in my appearance. I dress in excessive amounts of chains, rings, earrings, and bracelets. These accessories often hold meaning, such as a ring passed down to me belonging to my great-grandmother, as she is the primary inspiration for my fashion.

When I was waiting for my first AP scores, the thought of failing and essentially wasting the money that went into the exam haunted me. While this pushed me to study hard for my exams, it became unhealthy.

Thanks to the EPA, I–as well as so many others–are now able to live a healthier lifestyle than my ancestors. Although many Black people and people of color have rights enacted by the EPA, it is not equally distributed, seeing as our country is still divided racially.

I could not comprehend why my mom disagreed with my desire to seek mental health assistance. She would simply reply by saying, “You don’t need therapy.” She never expressed her truth until I sat her down one day before school to have a vulnerable conversation about my unhealthy mental state.