Scoil Mhuire's Iosaf, St Mary's Place

Success Idemudia, 20 March 2009
Being Black

I think it's a great idea that they have a different coloured Princess in the Disney movie. This is a good idea because it is important for black kids to know that it is possible to have a black princess. It is also important for the white kids too. Cinderella was my favourite Disney movie growing up even though I am a black girl from Nigeria, but living in Dublin. Loads of people are going to want to see this movie when it comes out, people are going to be surprised, and some people might not even notice the difference!

I think that this has a lot to do with Barack Obama. Because he is president of black and white people, all people. And he doesn't treat people differently.

I saw on TV that most black kids in America are not comfortable with the colour of their skin, a survey was done asking small black children, about 7 or 8 years old, about a doll with black skin and a doll with white skin. All of the children who were asked, picked the white doll. They say that because the black neighbourhoods are rough, this does not help what these children think of themselves.
The survey said that there is a lot of drugs and violence in some black neighbourhoods and this all makes black children feel bad.
On this TV show, black and white people were talking about this problem.

I am proud that the first black Garda is now working in Dublin, but I feel that he might be in danger. He went to college to be educated for years, this will be good for the young black kids in Dublin, they can look up to him and see that they can become something, if you go to school and study hard.