by Jarret Liotta
WESTPORT — Out of the pens of some local teens came powerful and insightful words.
The Westport Library hosted a celebration for the finalists in the 2022 Teen Diversity Essay Contest on Monday night, which it co-sponsors with TEAM Westport. It was the ninth annual contest, open to high school students throughout Westport.
This year’s theme question was to discuss “Why It Can Be So Difficult To Talk About Race.”
Ian Patton, 16, took the top prize of $1,000 with his essay entitled “How To Be a Good White Person,” in which he shared about his experience and feelings in relation to race.
“Being able to discuss and think critically about race is a skill,” he wrote, “one that doesn’t come naturally because race isn’t natural.”
Second place, and a $750 prize, went to Colin Morgeson, 16, for his essay entitled “Villains of Our Stories.”
“Racism is an illness,” he wrote, “an affliction of the soul that our country has long struggled to vanquish, and a disease that will probably never be completely eradicated.”
Third prize and a $500 award went to Leigh Foran, 15, for her essay “Embracing Privilege to Tackle Racism.”
“Conversations about race and privilege are not meant to ‘expose’ white people … Having conversations about race and privilege isn’t about vilifying advantaged groups,” she wrote.
Each of the winning essays can be read at this link.
It must have been difficult to choose the best essay this year. All three are wonderful and provide us with different perspectives on the reason why it is so difficult to have discussions about racism. Like each new generation these young people give me hope for
the future. Thank you Team Westport for helping us untangle systemic racism. And thanks to the students who are taking time to address racism for themselves and for the rest of us.
I totally agree with Joanne Leaman’s comment. What a joy these young people are and they give us ALL hope for a brighter
future. I am a retired Teacher of 30+ years in the classroom. The education of our youth is the critical difference in determining
the future of our country and our world.