The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXIII

DORINE ALFRED
ALICIA REINES-LEO, TEACHER
Josiah Quincy Upper School, Boston, MA
The first time I showed courage was when I suffered bullying in my old school.
I was six years old when I went to school. I met Guilherme. He has been my
best friend until today, but many of my classmates hated me, and I didn’t know
why. That didn’t matter to me because I was more interested in my studies.
My classmates got involved with me just because I was the only one who was
brown and they were white. Also I was, and I’m still, good at sports and in
other subjects. What they called me was an ugly girl, a filthy unfortunate, a
gorilla, swear words, and many other things that I disliked. Sometimes I even
cried because I felt bad and humiliated.
I felt hated by everyone, and for a month, I didn’t go to school. My classmates
made me feel uncomfortable because I have a sensitive heart, just like my
mother. My friend Guilherme was angry with me because I had left him alone,
but I felt I could not go to school, because they continued making fun of me.
Of course, I eventually had to return to school, but I was not happy about it.
“ALWAYS REMEMBER
THAT WE ARE OF THE
SAME FLESH, WITH
THE SAME HEART.”
Now that I have shown my courage, I feel I’m ready for all kinds of problems.
If you need advice, or maybe if you need anything, look for me.
I arrived in Year Five at school. As I was older, I didn’t let them make fun of
me. I had courage and told them to stop being racist and to stop making fun
of people. I told them to stop hating a person “just because you think the person
is better than you.” As I explained, “In truth, no one is better than anyone.
Everyone is good at something like me. I am good at many things because
I make an effort. I’ve never done anything to you. Imagine if you were in my
place. How would you feel?”
I don’t regret confronting my classmates. I’m very proud of myself and very
grateful to my parents for putting me in this world. You should treat people well
so that you will have a peaceful life. You will see that the way you see the world
is not the same. Try to be kinder and gentler in a peaceful way. It doesn’t matter
if the person has body or brain difficulties. Always remember that we are of the
same flesh, with the same heart. It doesn’t matter if you are short, tall, fat, or
skinny. What matters is that everyone is happy the way they are, and everyone
is pleased with the way that they are. Race does not matter, nor does the
language we speak. We are all equal, we are all brothers, and we are one
person. I love myself. They stopped making fun of me, and I got what I wanted:
to have a peaceful and calm life without problems from anyone.
THE COURAGE OF CHILDREN: BOSTON AND BEYOND
VOLUME XXXIII
96 97