Racism is a prominent occurrence that America is still dealing with today. Many people believe that the issue of racism has died. But honestly, I believe it has done the complete opposite.

Picture yourself at your high school football stadium on a Friday night. People everywhere, delicious hot dogs and hamburgers, loud student sections, and some good football entertainment. This describes what seems like such a fun atmosphere. But back in my hometown, it didn't feel like this after a local football game.

Two weeks ago, in Augusta County, during a local football game, a member of the opposing team got into an argument with a member of the other team. The result: the player saying "shut up (n-word)". The player who was called this then resorted to Twitter to state his opinion, he was shocked that someone would say that to him.

Moments later, news articles were published and the community was informed of the situation. Social media flooded with a variety of responses in regards to the situation. Here are just a few of the posts that I ran across...

"The (Publication Source) has officially blown this out of proportion. I am sure there is real news out there to report on. Players have been calling each other this for years unfortunately without the news making an issue of it. I bet if it was a black kid calling him the n word, he would have never made an issue of it."

"Why is this in the news...? Teenagers say mean and demeaning things to one another everyday..."

Sounds to me like it was trash talk between teenage boys.

These comments are a perfect example of pushing what they seem to call a "small" problem to the side. Calling someone the n-word is selfish, cruel, and inappropriate. The worst part is, that it's not just happening here and there, or in small counties, it is happening everywhere. Open your eyes America and stop normalizing racism.

Rappers, magazines, television shows, and celebrities are all sources that lead to the normalization of racism in America. Another comment in response to the article stated...

"When " role models " like Tyler Perry use language like that in the newest Madea movie, he is sending a message that it is funny and OK to say in our society. It's never been alright. Make role models accountable too."

We, as America, need to work together to provide a more including, less judgmental place to live. Let's work together to end the normalization of racism and remove all words associated with it from our vocabularies, once and for all.

And, to the boy who was called the n-word, we appreciate you and appluad you for your ability to stand up for what you beleive in and bring attention to this ongoing problem.