Who identifies as racist? Openly admitting to the world that you are racist is avoided, but what about individuals who are racist behind closed doors? In today's society, racism is a major problem, but it is neglected along with sexism, classism and heterosexism. If we know racism remains a major problem, why do we choose to ignore it? How can we end racism if some people are too afraid to even talk about it? Racism is a very “touchy” or emotional topic for some people, including myself. Author Beverly Daniel Tatum makes some interesting and valid points in “Defining Racism: Can We Talk?” ". She says: “The impact of racism starts early. Even during our preschool years, some people benefit from racism while others are disadvantaged. What I disagree with the author on is when she states that “all white people benefit from racism” (67). Being white, I'm not totally privileged. There are things I take for granted, like going to virtually any store and being able to buy skin color makeup or being able to buy any hair product. My other identities also shape me. Even though I'm white, that doesn't mean I'm rich, in fact, I've had a job since I was fifteen and have mostly supported myself financially. I wasn't given a nice car, nice clothes, and a nice house in a nice community, things I had to work very hard for, I must say. I should not be judged by the color of my skin and automatically assume that I am taking advantage of the fact that I am white, because, like any other individual of any other racial group, I am a struggling student. In "A Different Mirror" by Ronald Takaki mentions times in American history when other minority groups targeted other minorities. Takaki discusses the Los Angeles riots between Koreans and African-Americans. He makes a valid point when he states, "a black gang member explained that they didn't burn down our community, just their stores" (69). During the Los Angeles riots, many black gang members and Korean store owners were at war with each other when a Korean store owner shot and killed a black individual during an attempted robbery. In this statement, what struck me was that the black individual did not recognize that he was ruining his community by burning down these Korean-owned stores. The gang member could not understand that these stores were part of his community, but since they were Korean owned and operated, it was legitimate to damage them. There is a chain effect that comes with burning down these stores in their community, now that these buildings are in ruins, who is going to buy them and repair them now? There were functioning shops and stores that were an essential part of the community, but not all of them were destroyed and the Koreans were driven out. What is left for the community? The community is left with ruined buildings and shops that are not functional and are now