As a young girl living in the south, Khaleelah Shareef of Niagara Falls, remembers having to use a side entrance at a clinic instead of the front door. And when she went to the movies, she had to sit in the balcony area instead of the main theatre.
  Shareef has seen her share of racism and discrimination throughout her life and it’s those experiences that shape her commitment eliminate it.
  “Racism can fuel a society that will be motivated by hatred, hostility and danger, said Shareef, the YWCA of Niagara’s ambassador for the Stand Against Racism annual event. “It eventually will gnaw away and destabilize families and communities.”
  On Friday, Shareef, who works at the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, will join the YWCA of Niagara and the YWCA of the Tonawandas along with several individuals and organizations throughout Niagara and Erie counties to take a Stand Against Racism.
   The Stand is a YWCA movement with a goal of bringing people together from all walks of life – across the country – to raise awareness that racism still exists and send a message that it won’t be tolerated. The Stand is held each year in April and will involve more than 60 other YWCA agencies throughout the country working closely with about 1,500 organizations that will cumulatively attract about 200,000 individuals in the annual event, according to Stand organizers.
  In Niagara County, individuals, school districts, students and faculty on area college campuses, businesses and municipalities will Stand together at various times throughout the day.
   In Gaskill, teacher Frank Coney has organized poetry and poster contests to mark the occasion. Faculty and staff will sign a pledge against racism and several displays will be set up at the school.
   At 10 a.m. April 30 on the Renaissance Bridge, North Tonawanda Mayor Robert Ortt and Tonawanda Mayor Ron Pilozzi will proclaim the date as Stand Against Racism Day in the Tonawandas.
   In Lewiston, Mount St. Mary’s Hospital is inviting the public to come from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the lobby and sign a pledge against racism.
   Village of Lewiston Mayor William Geiben said he will be at the Freedom Crossing point from noon to 1 p.m. handing out Stand Against Racism buttons in honor of the event. 
  At 11:30 a.m., the YWCA of the Tonawandas will hold a Dialogues on Diversity Luncheon at its Tremont Street location, featuring a presentation by the National Federation for Just Communities.
   Each year, the local YWCAs tap an ambassador to speak on the issue and promote involvement throughout the community. The YWCA of the Tonawandas has asked Katherine Lucas to take on that challenge.
   Lucas said she experienced discrimination when she was young by watching how poorly people treated her father who immigrated to the U.S. as a result of World War II.
   “He learned a new language, new skills, and built a new life after losing everything – his family, his home, his country and his future – in the war,” said Lucas. “Despite his hard work, there were many instances of people treating him badly due to his accent. This from people who barely spoke their native language, much less the five languages he spoke. It always hurt, and was never understandable. I vowed to never behave like that and prevent such ignorance when I could.”
   Both ambassadors have some advice for young people on how to work toward eliminating racism and discrimination.
   “My message for young people is to arm yourself with the best education you can get,” Shareef said. “Have a willingness to work hard, be committed to self-discipline and self-respect and to always remember that knowledge is power.”
   Lucas said while young people seem more accepting of ethnic difference, there are still ways they can work to eradicate racism and discrimination.
   “My wish for young people is that they grow in acceptance, especially with new immigrants,” said Lucas. “The bias against foreigners, new Americans, is very widespread. I hope that we all grow in a desire for understanding and see how much more alike we are than we are different.”
    If young people are exposed to racism and/or discrimination, they should use the experience as a positive tool – a motivator to do well in their lives and commit themselves to make a difference for change.
   “Let it become your motivator to strive for excellence,” Shareef said.
  Anyone interested in signing up for the Stand Against Racism can do so at www.standagainstracism.org until Friday. Interested persons may also call the YWCA of Niagara at 716-433-6714 or the YWCA of the Tonawandas at 716-692-5580.