Shukan Patel

	In their own words, 16-year-olds discuss the pressures of getting into college, dating, blogging and more 16 by 16 • Ari Rubin • Carlyle Manns • Caroline Cox-Orrell • Chelsey Knight • Janelle Norman • Meredith-Leigh Pleasants • Tia Whipple • Kelvin Bates • Lisa Bunn • Shukan Patel • Lina Li • Stephen Serene • Jullia Park • Patty Yau • Ana Baric • CJ Martino Getting A Head Start • The New World of Internships Those unpaid summer jobs are no longer for rich kids, college juniors—or even just for summer Multimedia • Sixteen Candles Inside a Sweet 16 Party

Growing up as a "brown" teen has not exactly been a joyride. Although I am blessed to see tolerance and acceptance, I've realized that it isn't fully there. Since 9/11, life has changed completely. My brown skin instantly turned me into "one of them." I very well know that each one of us grew up with knowledge of a diverse America. Yet, I fail to see that image today. Why does my skin color or my religion change people's outlook on my persona? The stereotype these days of "smelly Indians" and "evil Muslims" has completely changed the views on the Muslim and brown teenage population.

Life as a teenager is hard as it is. How are brown teens supposed to cope with racial and religious discrimination while growing up in a society of peers who will not accept them? More than adults, I see discriminatory attitudes from my peers. I get the weird look because I want to display the colors of my flag, sing the hymns of my ancestors and read the scriptures of my religious gurus. Is it a sin to have a strong influence from my mother country? Is it wrong that I want to excel in my studies just as my mother and father did? Is it incorrect that I don’t date? Is it wrong that I pray to Allah? Is it false for me to live a life based on traditional values? No. It is unfair to the Muslim people who did nothing to deserve such ill treatment. It is unfair to the brown-skinned population who did absolutely squat to walk into a room of staring people. Today's teens need to learn about acceptance and tolerance rather than the breakups and cheats of today's celebrities.

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