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4 t so the a j ourney, but 'it's worth it because I'm not only effecting Peter s fature) bu al future of other children with disabilities." 44 As a country,., we've been trying to eliminate discrimination for a long time. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discriminationin the United States. In Minnesota, our constitution has prohibited discrimination since 1857. It seems that most citizens work hard to sustain those laws. Y even seen advertisements for a TV program called Without Pre" ud" I I ej j icie, but I'm wondedng whether being wthout pr 'udice is even possible. Vv%en most people think of discrimination they think, "Oh that's terrible. I never do that." The truth is, we all have prejudices and probably discriminate in some way whether we mean, to or not. I guess that leads us to our essay question.- Why doles discrimination still exist today? Somietimes I wonder if we were all had the same color of skin, the same color of eyes, the same abilities, the same everything, what the world would be like. A peaceful place maybe, but I'm sure someone would find something to complain about. It occurred to nie that pelople are never satisfied With what they have. Maybe discrimination still exists because people are too caught up 'in their own lives to help others or even think about others" needs. Maybe it's because people are aft aid that the people who seem different will turn out to be the opposite. Maybe it's because people are just scared that the people they're discriminating against will physically hurt them. Some people might be self-conscious about themselves, so they take it out on others in both legal and illegal ways. �Some people might be self-righteous and end up forgetting about the real meaning of things. When I was thinking about the topic for this year's essay, I remembered a story my dad told me about something he heard on Minnesota Public Radio. Last year a news replorter went around and surveyed people's answer to the question "What do you think wie should call people with disabilities?" The reporter went to many people like doctors, siclientists,, and therapists that worked with disabled people, and they all gave answers like "Mentally Challenged" or "Mentally Disabled. '� the finally the news reporter asked a woman that volunteered in a nursing home for people who are disabled. When the news reporter asked her "What do you think we should call people with disabilities?" She said, "Call the by their name." That volunteer makes a good point. We don't have to label 2