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Racism come in many colours and can be expressed in a few words, or very cruel deeds, a Toronto student said at a human rights conference last week.

Unfortunately, it is usually the cruelest actions which get the most media coverage, " Yana Aranda told delegates attending the annual conference of the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies (CASHRA).

Aranda, a Grade 12 student at Notre Dame Catholic High School, said verbalized racism is frequently ignored, thereby giving it the chance to spread, permeate and poison the minds of many, including young people, as well as to touch everyone.

Whether we like it or not, racism has established itself in our society, and its roots are so deep that there is surely not one person in this room, who hasn't encountered it at least once in their lifetime", Aranda said in her presentation which, she told Share, was based on her own experiences and observations.

The three-day conference, which took place at the Metropolitan Hotel, was attended by 125 delegates from various statutory human rights agencies in Canada. It also provides an annual forum for interested participants to discuss current human rights issues.

Aranda's speech was part of joint presentations by Notre Dame and Neil McNeil High School, from Toronto, and a Banting Memorial High School and Birchview and Dunes Elementary School from Simcoe County.

Karen Gregory, another Grade 12 student from Notre Dame spoke about the current trend among youth of "being cool".

She said the use of the term by young people and in contemporary society denotes inclusiveness - those who are accepted as part of a specific group.

People or individuals who do not fit into the definition of the group are considered unacceptable - not cool - and that, Gregory said, is racist.

Speaking to Share after her presentation, Gregory said the concept of being "cool" is not confined to any particular group.

However, she said, it is a negative reality that is very much there.

In her perception, said Gregory, "cool" should be synonymous with the positive outlook that comes from "enthusiasm" and being inspired.

A "cool" person, should stand on the strength of his or her own convictions and be bold enough from that perspective to reach out to others so as to share.

Ultimately, Gregory said, being "cool" is not where it is at.

What counts, she said, is to be able to focus one's energies on what one believes in and on what will help the community to move forward.