When we were young it didn't matter who we hung around with as long as the group didn't get us into trouble. That changed when I got to high school. It was my freshman year. I was going there with a positive attitude, thinking everyone was going to get along. Wrong! It was a regular day at school; everything was fine until lunch, when a fight broke out. It was blacks against whites and vice versa. The story spread to the newspaper. It was blown out of proportion. People were afraid to come near Somerville.

When we came back to school, our teachers informed us that we had to wear picture IDs. People have calmed down, but we still have to wear the IDs. Now instead of showing their feelings, students walk around with a chip on their shoulder. After that so-called "racial fight," things have not been the same. n