Release Date:
The State 91原创 of Education hosted a on August 24 from 12:30-2:00 p.m. facilitated by Margarita Amezcua (SBE's west-side student 91原创 member). The session was entitled "Modern Day Racism in Education."
The goal of this panel was to give policymakers a better understanding of the problems that students of color face in the education system and the broader world, so that policy actions can be informed by student voice. Over 200 people registered to listen to the experiences of students Mineva Misiaita (Auburn Riverside High School), AJ Lopez (Bainbridge High School), Shreya Mehta (Hanford High School), Jennifer Tran (Foster High School), Shafaq Buttar (Foster High School), Ally Sutherland (Woodinville High School), Alicia Ing (recent graduate, Renton High School), and Margarita Amezcua (Auburn Riverside High School). Special thanks to those students who shared their view! Check out the of this session, and find the audio transcript linked here: video audio transcript.
Highlight quotes from panelists:
"I see equity as having the resources to make sure everyone can be successful, but also taking the extra steps to make sure those resources get to the ones who need it most..." - AJ Lopez
"A lot of students when they do learn about their history, it's about oppression. That's not fair for them to only learn about their oppression. When we start adding in a more worldly perspective of the world, not only will it make our students more knowledgeable, and lead with an accurate perception of what history was and what other ethnic groups contributed to society, not just white Americans, I think that's where equity needs to be implemented." - Ally Sutherland
"We need to be more open about education and not be so white washed. At the end of the day, students are facing discrimination based on the color of their eyes..." - Shafaq Buttar
"Our curriculum and the stories we tell through them should be both a mirror and a window. We should be able to see our own experiences mirrored in our education, but also have a window into the experiences of other students unlike ourselves." - Alicia Ing
"It really effects your mindset when you see all the eurocentric-based history, you're like oh, so where were my people? But if you look, you know your culture helped out with everything."- Mineva Misiaita
"It's so important to implement ethnic studies from K-12. In one semester of ethnic studies, you can only teach so much about what's going in the world." - Jennifer Tran
鈥淭here are students who are struggling so much...if you have that professional at school, they can help train teachers to recognize something and provide that connection..." - Shreya Mehta
Some attendee comments:
"I just want to say - this has been amazing. Your sharings have been very helpful. My wish would be that this would be required viewing for everyone in education, and an their own action list to follow! Thank you again for your courage to speak your truth. So valuable!" - SBE Vice Chair, MJ Bolt
"This is precisely the information we need more of to better inform everyone who considers themselves to have a stake in education. I appreciate you all! Thank you!" - Associate Education Ombuds, Yordanos Gebreamlak
"As a longtime advocate for Ethnic Studies, thanks for your insightful comments on this. Y鈥檃ll are SO RIGHT!" - Washington Education Assocation 91原创 of Directors, Michael Pe帽a
Update (September 17):
At the September 2020 91原创 meeting, student 91原创 member, Margarita Amezcua .
Connect with us:
- to get regular updates via email