Like many other people in the United States, I, an Asian citizen, have faced the hurtful impact of racism. It taints my everyday life and creates negative encounters. Making things worse, I've been inaccurately judged and branded as being racist - a situation I've never been in and never will be.

Racism is a deep-rooted, century-old problem in America. The National Bureau of Economic Research reports, "The effects of historical racial discrimination persist in the United States" and it is found "in nearly every aspect of life including employment, housing, and education." Despite improvements over the years, racial discrimination and prejudice continue to exist in significant ways. Such experiences can cause emotional, psychological, and even physical harm.

Making racism completely illegal in all states would be a step forward in the right direction. This won't just protect individuals like me from unwarranted accusations but will also address and curb the unjust practice of racism. By doing this, we would officially recognize racism as more than a societal issue, but a crime.

Therefore, we call upon the lawmakers of America, to understand the sharp sting of discrimination we face daily, to implement laws that make racism illegal in every state of the United States. It's about time we rise above this inequality for a more just and unbiased country. Please show your support for this movement towards equality - sign the petition.