S J A C Social Justice Action Committee Shameem Razack & Lindsay Aikman Senior at Centennial English Department
How we started ● After the student initiated #blacklivesmatter protest, several students wanted to continue the dialogue about race. ● Supportive adults, recognized the importance of listening to student voice and have created a space for dialogue.
Our First Panel: NAAPID ● This was the first action after the protest that opened up dialogue among students, faculty and parents about racism that everyone was still thinking about. ● It was successful and meaningful; we wanted to continue.
#realtalks: logistics ● Th The concept: open weekly discussion on different topics developed and led by students ● Wh When: lunch & after school ● Ho How: remind101, email, text groups, class announcements, word of mouth, flyers, social media ● Wh Who: all are invited to attend ● Why: y: safe space for important topics
#realtalks: an excerpt qu question: how is the recent local violence impacting students at Centennial? Can we get a read on the scope of it? “ referring to the News Gazette article from Sunday) Out of 8, I knew 7 of them. It’s not just about people getting killed, it’s about shots fired and not getting reported, it’s what you go through going to school and coming home, it’s stuff you don’t want to read about it-last week, we (student, 4 yr old niece and 12 yr old nephew) were waiting for the bus-they shot-I didn’t know what to do. I was really confused. If I run, it could be me, if I stay still, it could be me, they were watching me and I didn’t know what to do... ”
#realtalk: another excerpt qu question: how do we feel about the “no snitch” rule? ● Fear ex: someone’s relative was killed results in retaliation ● Planning to retaliate because you don't feel the police will do much ● Someone’s life and your life maybe in danger because of snitching ● There needs to be a relationship with police, blacks and whites
how’s it going? where are we headed? how’s it going? ● Dialogue is powerful ● Both students and teachers are learning ● Core group is formed where are we headed? United front with Centennial-both teachers and students welcome ● and rely on this regular dialogue Action, involvement & commitment grows out of the dialogue ● It’s only the beginning, growing each week ●
Collaboration with CPD Does society have a bad relationship If the police and the black with the community had a better relationship, police? would the crime ultimately decrease?
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