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appearance. Other amend�ents in the Bill of Rights also defend the rights of person,s wha are accused of crimes. The First Amendment is particularly irnportant to �uman rig�ts, because it protects the freedams of speech, religion, and asset�bly. This constitutional amenclmexzt allc�ws Americans to speak and believe what we want. But like the rest of the Bill af Rights, the First Azz�endment only limits what the gover�ment can da. Ii does nat prevent stereotyping ar discrimination by individual citizens. That is a problem, because people everywl�ere tzaake judgmenis rr�uch too quickly about other� and take actions based on race, ethniciry, religion, ar physical appearance. There are newspaper articles daily about discrizz�ination and violence in the U.S. and nther countrzes that resu3t �ro�n stereatyping and prejudice. It is important for middle schoolers like me to be aware of whai is happening in other parts of the worid, but we have to remember that similar problems exist closer to home. The Minnesota Huma.� Rights Act helps prevent discrimination where we live. Unlike the Bill af Rights, the Human Righ�s Aci daes nat apply just to the police or other government officials. The Act prohibits discrizz�ination by emplayers, Iandlords, schoals, and banks and ather busines�es. Dealing with prejudice in Minnesata is especially important now, because the pop�lation of o�r state is changing rapidly. More mem�b�rs nf racial and ethnic minority groups live here than ever befare. Members of these groups are more Iikely ta be the victims af stereotyping, prejudice, and discriminatian. The Minnesota Human Right� Act strengthens the human rights of alI who live in this state, but it docs not apply in lots of situations i��valving people my age. Many teenagers do not bother to learn what so�xzeane is like und�r the skin. We wauld rather judge athers by their 2