I am ashamed of what I saw coming out of El Paso. Watching young men dress up as Ku Klux Klan members for Halloween parties and shout racial slurs across the street is not a joke, not edgy, and not something we can brush off with a laugh. People keep saying this does not represent our community, but then the comments fill up with excuses, support, and celebration. That is exactly the problem.

This does not just affect one video or one night. It tells Black people in our city that their pain will be mocked and their dignity will be treated like entertainment. It also teaches young people that anti-Black racism is normal if enough adults defend it. Then when our community faces tragedy and wants solidarity, we act shocked that trust is broken. We cannot keep asking Black people to stand with us while too many in our own community refuse to respect them.

That is why I am calling on El Paso schools, youth programs, and student-facing institutions to put real anti-racism education and accountability in place, specifically addressing anti-Black racism, racial slurs, and hateful conduct. Young people need clear consequences when they engage in racist behavior, and they also need honest education about why this history is violent and dangerous. Adults who work with them should not be left guessing about how to respond. If we want change, then we need to stop pretending this is harmless and start treating it like the community failure it is.

I went to the NAACP meeting, I met people who are doing the work, and I know change is possible if we stop making excuses. If you are tired of hearing "it was just a joke" every time Black people are dehumanized, please sign this petition. El Paso needs to do better, and we need to prove it with action.