Black History Month Student Interviews A Spotlight on Students Making a Difference in their Communities

An Interview series with Liz Westphal

Mario Cash

Q: How did you get involved with NVEEE?

Mario: “I discovered NVEEE through OIC’s youth board’s volunteering group. We were lucky to be invited to NVEEE’s PALS summit in 2014.”

Q: Have you seen or experienced bullying because of someone's ethnic background? Additionally, within specifically the African American culture, have you seen or heard of bullying based on someone not fitting into a stereotype?

Mario: “I have been bullied due to my ethnicity, not discriminatorily, but based on my inability to fit into stereotypical views that have been set by society. Due to the fact that I am bi-racial and was raised in a predominantly white community, but goes to a predominantly black school, I sometimes act differently than my peers. The remarks made by fellow school mates saying that I act “too white” or am not “black enough” are something I still hear to this day, but what does that really mean? We are all raised a specific way and taught different things; skin color shouldn’t determine behavior.”

Q: Name someone and something that makes you proud to be a part of the African American culture.

Mario: There are many people that make me proud to be an African American. My biggest mentor and inspiration is President Barack Obama. The reason behind this is also the reason I’m proud to be part of the African American culture; the black community is faced with so many obstacles, and when they do overcome them and become successful, it’s a major victory and should be used as motivation for black children around the world.”

Q: What is some advice you would give to other African American youth who may be struggling with their identities?

Mario: “Everyone goes through the stage in life where they struggle to find who they are. I have always said to people that being who you are is the only to be truly happy. You never should feel the need to conform to what others thin. It’s important that you stay true to yourself.”

Q: What are some things you've done to give back to your community, and what do you suggest to other young people who want to get involved?

Mario: “I volunteer vigorously. I use what I know and have learned throughout life to help the community. I have joined many organizations to help my community. My advice to people who are looking to get involved is to find organizations that specialize in a topic that you are passionate about and have a vast knowledge on.”

Black History Month Interview Series Mario Cash

A Spotlight on Students Making a Difference in their CommunitiesAn Interview series with Liz Westphal

Q: Why is Black History Month still important in 2015? Does your school do anything to commemorate it?

Mario: “Black history month will ALWAYS be important. It’s dedicated to all the people that lost their lives and fought for equality so that future generations didn’t have to. My school takes this month very lightly. We don’t do anything special to commemorate it. I feel that we should honestly do a bit more to show our gratitude to those who had to deal with times of discrimination and slavery.”

Q: What are some struggles you feel youth of color still face today?

Mario: “Discrimination is the biggest problem. All the cases of young black males being gunned down or beaten for unnecessary reason is just ridiculous. Blacks face so many obstacles throughout life due to stereotypes. People see a black male and assume he is uneducated or see a black female and assume she’s ‘ghetto’ or ‘aggressive’. There are things that blacks must overcome by proving to the world that these stereotypes aren’t true. As a community, we need to stand up, get good educations, and rise to success.”

Q: We’ve made so much progress with civil rights and in equality in the last few decades. As a young person, why do you think there are still debates about a non-black artist, such as Iggy Azalea, infiltrating a primarily African American music scene (Rap and R&B)?

Mario: “I feel that music has no race. There are many white rappers. Music is about what you believe in and what comes from your heart. As long as you work hard and have passion for what you do, I don’t think skin color matters.”