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Teen suicide is not a new topic. The subject matter has thrived in pop culture based media including the Tony-nominated Dear Evan Hansen and the cult-favorite film The Virgin Suicides. The majority of all popular opinions regarding the favoritism or absolute hatred toward 13 Reasons Why is centered on the hard-to-forget suicide scene. The protagonist, Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), took a seat in her bathroom, filled her tub with water, and as it over owed slit her wrists and bled out. The graphic scene pressed Netflix to setting updated trigger warnings due to spine-tingling and vivid images depicting one of the worst tragedies imaginable: suicide.

Studies continue to prove that mass media is one of the public’s primary sources of information about disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Depression. Considering such facts, A Health News Report from US and World News sought out the professional opinion of Stephen Hinshaw, a professor of Psychology at the University of California at Berkeley who stated that the, “Majority of the misrepresentation concerning mental illness influences viewers that individuals who suffer with it as ‘them from the rest of us’ furthering the growth stereotypes that they are incompetent, dangerous, and slovenly undeserving.”

In short, the series begins a few weeks after Hannah’s suicide. Tony (Christian Navarro), a socially awkward classmate, helps distribute thirteen tapes labeled with the names of additional classmates who contributed to traumatic events that in uenced Hannah’s decision to commit suicide. Clay (Dylan Minnette), an even more socially awkward classmate, and former crush of Hannah’s serves as the show’s avenging angel who is determined to confront others who have in uenced the traumatic events in hope that the truth will set them free.

Although it may not be popular opinion, I believe 13 Reasons Why is a major stride regarding positive mental health representation. Neglecting responsibility is a common theme among most of the opposing arguments to the series. One of the largest problems regarding the representaiton of mental health, or lack thereof, is that the association with psychological problems are diminished or glossed over. This not only strengthens stereotypes, but it makes room for stereotypes to be recreated in media.

If the goal is to meet a sociological balance that creates images of mental health as “normal” instead of perpetuating the associated ideology of “us and them” as mentioned by Professor Hinshaw, then why shouldn’t the series have been “repetitive” or imply that “one thing” can lead to suicide? The reality is, and what I think 13 Reasons Why depicts so cleverly, that things don’t have to be dramatically horrible to affect a person deep enough to give them the idea that suicide is an option. Considering that life isn’t perfect, in regards to depicting a story that has the potential to contain similarities to individuals who contemplate suicide, I would consider an imbalance of imperfection to be absolutely perfect.

Considering the current political climate of the world, this Women’s History Month, I am focusing on the importance of intersectional feminists who fight continuously for progress and equality in the United States and around the world. Feminism is defined as “the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.” Understanding the significance of the fight for equality for people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and others who suffer from socially constructed oppression is the core of genuine reasoning that influenced feminism’s creation in the first place.

We can thank the industrial revolution and its aftereffects for mobilizing the origins of modern-day feminism. After women transitioned from the home to holding jobs more traditionally held by men, women were inspired to continue the fight for their ‘spots’ in the public eye and equal rights. Intersectionality is a term that was coined by American professor Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989. Although an “old” concept, intersectional feminism is re-emerging in news headlines to combat the exclusion of people of color and other groups that are subjected to institutionalized oppression.

Activists such as Susan B. Anthony and Lucy Stone co-founded the American Woman Suffrage Association. Unlike Susan B. Anthony who is more widely recognized for her conjoined efforts, Lucy Stone’s contribution was immense in the fight for the equal rights of black people. The fight for equality despite socially constructed racial barriers is an aspect more characteristic of intersectional feminism than of plain ol’ feminism. In fact, in contrast to other forms of feminism, intersectionality is more inclusive regarding the rights of the disabled, members of the LGBTQ community, and others who aren’t white, cisgender, or able-bodied people.

Modern-day feminists include Kimberle Crenshaw, Rosario Dawson, Laverne Cox, and Emma Watson. They consistently use their platforms to raise awareness about a variety of issues, with human rights at the very center. Common criticisms of feminist freedom fighters include stereotypes such as “man-hating”, “preferring women over men,” and countless others. However, traits possessed by these feminists are their resilience, and their ability to combat hate with love and knowledge when it is lacking the most.

Since Trump’s administration began, there have been several attempts at removing laws and key figures who play a critical role in the upholding of equal rights. Along with deeming journalism and the news media “the enemy of the American people,” the 69,979,879 Americans who share his values hold the belief that any form of journalistic activism is “the opposition” as Chief White House Strategist Steve Bannon put it. In other words, the probability of any accomplishments in bridging of gaps – like Darryl Davis did when he convinced 200 members of the KKK to leave the organization –has grown slim.

It’s Black History Month and it’s time for conversations on whether Latinidad or “Latino-ness” is a crucial part of identity and a building block of the Latino community. The distinctions between culture and race inspired a new wave of Latinos with African heritage to speak out about intersectionality and they are making their voices heard through a variety of platforms. If you’re unfamiliar with the diversity within Latino culture, you may also be unaware that Latinos are highly stereotyped in the media. Some of those stereotypes include the notion that Latinos are only light-skinned or white with Italian features, or that they are confused about their identity and ashamed of their African heritage–an absurd claim.

Despite gray areas, there’s a lot to celebrate. The Directors Guild of America stated in regard to Latino representation in media, “We are often overlooked when it comes to hiring for industry-related jobs,” and although that is true, there are a number of Latinos quickly changing that.

Latinx people who have African Heritage make up the largest group of Latinos on television. Since acknowledging their Black population, Mexico has taken major strides to even out the education and economic gap of these respective populations. Progress was made when Adriano Espaillat became the first formerly undocumented immigrant to become a member of congress.

Latinx people have made several contributions to American society. The landmark case Mendez v. Westminster happened before Brown v. Board of Education. The historical case in 1946 concluded with the judge’s decision that California could not segregate its school system based on national origin or language ability.

Latinos are more likely to start a business, according to a report by the Kauffman Foundation. “The share of native-born entrepreneurs dropped from 86.3 percent in 1996 to 72.9 percent in 2012. But foreign-born entrepreneurs weren’t the only ones seeing a marked increase in entrepreneur shares of the population. The number of new Latino entrepreneurs has also nearly doubled, from 10.5 percent to 19.5 percent since 1996.”

While President Trump wants to waste $5 billion constructing a wall, I think it is important to mention that in 2013, a report from the Huffington Post claimed that “immigrants boosted the housing market by $3.7 trillion.” Considering that 50% of immigrants in the United States (like President Donald J. Trump’s parents were), are persons with Latino backgrounds–more than any other reported group it is safe to say that immigrants help boost institutions within society that are often taken for granted.

Henry Thoreau has a quote that says, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” I think this concept is crucial because it can perhaps influence the manner of which we perceive Mexican Immigrants and the generations who have become Americans by Natural born right. The livelihood of millions of innocent people is constantly jeopardized by mass corruption as a result of narco-dollars infiltrated into the Mexican economy. As a result of this imbalance millions of citizens head to Rio Grande to swim into the United States. Women bringing their children, smugglers who deal in the black market abducting young women and children to sell into the business of sex trafficking. The unimaginable is possible once they reach the border, surely stories have been passed down and people know what to expect. That can only illustrate the horrible reality that they face in their motherland.

Some media outlets and aspiring political figures such as Presidential candidate Donald Trump are under the presumption that the only refugees entering the country are Mexican citizens. There are in fact, Cubans, Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Hondurans, Ecuadoreans, and Brazilians entering the country illegally. To be brutally honest, it didn’t shock me when he began to say what he did, “When Mexico sends its people they’re not sending their best. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.” Does he assume the same of the other nationalities as well? According to the Department of Homeland Security, the percentages of undocumented immigrants are as follows: 62 percent are Mexican, 5 percent are Salvadoran, 4 percent are Guatemalan, 3 percent are Honduran, 2 percent are Ecuadorean and 1 percent are Brazilian. The question then arises, what are the psychological and sociological effects of targeting Mexicans in the media?

I am no scientist; however, I am a survivor of bullying and I can only imagine how much trauma these undocumented immigrants feel on a daily basis. According to stopbullying.gov, victims of bullying are likely to experience depression and anxiety, health complaints, and decreased academic achievement. Bystanders are more likely to use tobacco, alcohol or drugs, and experience increased mental health problems including depression and anxiety. The taunting that undocumented immigrants have sustained has spiked especially during the time leading up to the upcoming election.

The fact that Trump’s words are resonating with millions of people can only attest to the amplification of rhetoric that is necessary to get away with permanently damaging the dignity of these undocumented immigrants. Because the United States is a capitalist nation, it came with no surprise that one of the many arguments made when discussing undocumented immigrants is the misconception that they are taking all of Americans’ hard earned money, when, in fact, much of the employment they choose is under the table – meaning they are not protected by any unions, laws, and are the most manipulated of any people in the country.

Undocumented immigrants are not promised any pay, and as a result are often found in situations where they can’t defend themselves due to fear of being reported to the ICE which leads to deportation. Because all of these undocumented immigrants have little to any rights with jobs they often get into with hopes of getting their families out of extreme poverty, none of the revenue they make in companies across the nation is untaxed – adding millions more into the pockets of the CEOs who hire them.

So what psychological affects does it have to target Mexicans specifically when there are five other major Central and South American natives entering in the same manner they are? Fear is instilled in undocumented Mexican immigrants, discrimination from other groups begins to rise and their perception is now that Mexicans are at the bottom of the Latinx American food chain, so-to-speak, because of the constant highlighted issues in the media.

Hate inspired crimes have increased in the United States since Trump’s unfiltered rhetoric has saturated the media. A homeless Hispanic man in Boston, MA endured injuries inflicted by two brothers who were inspired by Trump’s message on immigration. According to thedailybeast. com, The Bureau of Justice Statistics report on 2012 hate crimes exposes an alarming rise in attacks on a population made up of more than 53 million: Hispanics.

The unfortunate thing about Trump is that you don’t know how serious he takes his words. As it has been proven time after time, his speech seems to roll off the tongue. CNN questioned a remorseful tone in one of Donald Trump’s recent speeches after meeting with the Mexican president who is notorious for his standpoint against the electoral candidate. Trump’s request for Mexicans to build a wall and for the Mexican government to pay for it didn’t sit well with President of Mexico Enrique Peña Nieto and I quote, “I’m not building that f-cking wall.”

So now that we know that there is more than one Latin American demographic entering the United States in an illegal manner, what do we do now? Do we educate everyone to empathize more with Mexican Americans by creating campaigns by saying they aren’t the only ones? The sad reality is that by stirring up more education in the media there is more potential to open the door for even more discrimination in conjunction to the rising Anti-Hispanic rhetoric that has been brainwashing the minds of millions as of late. What is apparent is that undocumented immigrants are targeted, conversations around questions such as, “Are you a citizen? Are you American?” and rhetoric regarding validity of citizenship have been increasing on social platforms.