Now before anyone jumps all over me and labels me anything, let's just think, take a breath, calm down, and continue to read my whole letter. I agree that racism is a poison to healthy society. I agree that racism is dangerous, because thoughts and words can lead to violent actions. I do not agree, however, that each of these 250 reports constitutes racist actions. I agree that there are some acts in the reports that are forms of racism. However, some are forms of prejudices. Prejudices and stereotypes can lead to racism, but every member of society — both sexes, all races, all creeds — have prejudicial or stereotypical beliefs. I'm sure there is a large number who already have me pegged as a certain type of person. But the fact is that all of our society is prejudicial and stereotypical. We expect our parents and teachers to know what they are talking about. I never knew that white people couldn't dance, and all Italians love pizza and pasta and cook the best you've ever tasted. Is it true? Maybe not, but we all play into these types of assumptions. Fortunately for me I was raised in a home where stereotypes were downplayed, not emphasized. Now I was going to sign my name as Emily Ahmad O'Reilystein just so no one could lump me into one group, but I have decided to tell you what I am: a white, Irish-Catholic, middle-class male from a family of eight. So now for some of you I'll go pick my potatoes, eat a little ham and cabbage, wash it down with a couple pints of Guinness and a bar fight, go protest at an abortion clinic and get started on having a family of fourteen. For everyone else, I invite you to learn who I am by talking to me.