The culture of judgment permeates every aspect of our society, contributing to racial prejudice, disparity, and ignorance. Unfortunately, I have been a recipient, and it has been formative. As a child, I desired to be normal and valued for who I was, not for who I appeared to be. My vivid memories of my peers and so-called friends turning their eyes upward during recess and chanting "ching chong" remain fresh in my mind. As I ran home with tears in my eyes and sobbing in my mother's arms, I could hear their voices and giggles echoing in my head. I felt as though I was an anomaly in my small town. As I grew older, stereotypes became more evident and jokes became statements. Despite my academic achievements, I am not recognized for my grades or activities. According to my peers and society in general, my ethnicity is the only factor that has enabled me to achieve a 4.0 GPA and be adept at multiple instruments. Having been mocked and targeted for years, I never imagined it could get any worse, but the Coronavirus pandemic provided that opportunity. Now, I am a virus and a reminder of death. It has been a challenging experience - someone glaring at me at the grocery store; a young mother pulling their child away from me at the checkout line with fear in her eyes; or even the words "go back to where you came from." While I live, I will never admit to being a burden or detrimental to society in any way. Nothing about me is a burden. After speaking with others and reflecting on my experiences, I realized that racial prejudice, disparity, and ignorance are our common enemies. Other ethnic groups also face discrimination, including Arabs, Muslims, Africans, and other victims of hate crimes. It is our social responsibility to gain a deeper understanding of these issues and dialogue with each other and those who oppose them. As a result of this scholarship and by connecting with others in similar communities, I intend to empower those in similar circumstances to mine to speak out against unfair treatment and advocate for change. It is time for us to embrace change for a better world and future. With the support of scholarships like this one, I can make a difference in many people's lives. I am determined to use my knowledge and passion to impact my community and the world positively. Together, we can make a difference.