Why I Want To Become A Racist

There has always been a sort of implied pressure instilled by public education to decide what profession to pursue. Often individuals set goals, which are driven by personal interests and desires. Education is built on the foundation of instilling core knowledge requisites for independent life, requiring students to realize and develop strengths while improving upon their weaknesses. Yet, if I were to survey a classroom,

“What do you want to do when you grow up?” amongst the most common responses would be doctor, lawyer, and teacher. I too, without thinking of the magnitude of dedication and preparation required for such a profession, would have nervously said

‘doctor’. The reality of choosing a profession and setting goals to ultimately reach

This has been the underlying theme of my personal and professional growth. While in high school, I understood this and wanted to do what was within my capability to improve the wellbeing of others. In my senior year, I established the Amine Club and successfully led it to fundraise thousands of dollars for the local community fundraisers and end of the year field trip to Asian town. After graduating, I enrolled at UCR where I began my undergraduate education aspiring to become a doctor; I did not know what kind but I wanted to be one as I thought becoming a doctor was the only way to help others. This was in 2010, back when I was careless, naïve and immature. At this point in my life, my goal was to learn everything I could in as well as outside of the classroom. Giving back to my community by beginning to volunteer at Boys and Girls club. I served as a tutor, working primarily with elementary students. This was a refreshing change of perspective as I was now serving as a supplemental instructor. There was a noble sense of satisfaction I felt building competence and confidence in the students’ academic abilities. I began to review my own notes from courses I had taken to provide a greater learning experience. I realized there were no good or bad students; rather the individual interests and desires had influenced them to behave differently. The students had a diverse

With our main source of income terminated, my family and I struggled to make payments for our home and for a short period of time, were on the verge of losing it. At this time, my father showed resilience like no other and single-handedly supported a family of four. With a recently unemployed wife whose health was volatile at best and the security of our home on the line, all the pressure was on my father; I felt so incredibly helpless. Here I was, a nineteen-year-old daughter asking her father was facing losing his home for something as simple as gas money; I felt embarrassed. At this point in my life, I legitimately considered dropping out of UCR so I could pick up a job and help my parents. I had to become a bit more independent but at the same time make sure my family did not fall apart. I began applying for jobs and was ready to jump right into working full time. I was fortunate enough to have friends recommend me for an undergraduate researcher position. In November 2013, I began working as a student researcher and laboratory assistant and continued to work there for the following one and half years. I was blessed to have met Dr. Darrel Jenerette who hired me on the spot and provided me the flexibility to continue at UCR. The following spring, I was able to gain experience working in a research lab as well as in the field; something I had not previously experienced. In the summer of 2013, I spent