Racism and discrimination has been subjecting people for decades. To be passionate and show immense courage even when it is difficult or dangerous to do so helps eradicate it. In Yamile Saied Mendez’s short story Aurora Rising, it shows the problems people face with racism and how to overcome it. This teaches the main character, Aurora, a valuable lesson about standing up for oneself and their beliefs.
Aurora had to deal with all kinds of racist events from friends and their family. Aurora offered to help clean up a mess made by her friend's father as an act of kindness. He responded by saying “Sadie wouldn’t know what to do. I guess it’s in your blood” (Mendez, pg. 86). This message directed at Aurora implied that she was inherently inferior to white people when it came to cleaning because of her race. The spill had also gotten Aurora's clothes dirty, and she was guilt-tripped into wearing a shirt with the slogan “Clean Up America” pasted on it. Aurora explained that the slogan originated “During the national elections, the country was torn apart as one candidate urged his followers
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Aurora first stood up for herself when she was told to wear a shirt with the slogan “Clean Up American”. When Sadie asked Aurora if she was okay, Aurora replied, "See? I can’t wear a shirt with this slogan" (Mendez, pg. 92). Instead of following along and putting on a shirt that stood against everything she believed in, she confronted the problem she had with the slogan's meaning and how it was offensive. To her and the people she loved. Aurora finally decided in the middle of the night that she would rather lose her friendship than not stand up for what is right. Sadie ran after her and Aurora explained “I’m not sorry for speaking up. In fact, I’m tired of not saying more” (Mendez, pg. 100). Aurora spook her mind that she would not apologise anymore for others' ill-mannered