February 2015
News
3
Continued from Friends Responds to Recent Racial Tensions
Hunger in America and The No Kid Hungry Campaign. Workshop by Josh Wachs ‘89.
Hip Hop: Rhythm, Rhymes, Social Change. Workshop by Reggie Ossé.
Green Map System Application to Energy Generation and Waste Reduction. Workshop by Wendy E. Brawer.
Poetry and Possibility. Workshop by Joshua Bennett.
Journalism, a Tool for Social Change – Then & Now. Workshop by Jill Abramson.
Facing Global Challenges: Clean Water, Education and AIDS. Workshop by Marna Herrity and Kevin Cooney
the march in Washington, D.C. where the families of Brown, Garner, and Rice spoke, as well as civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton. Much of the student body felt that Friends took the right approach to these recent events. “I think the school went out of its way to not only inform students about the events in Ferguson and Staten Island but to encourage them to take action and stand up for what they believe is right and just,” said Tessa DeFranco ’17. However, some students say the school hasn’t quite lived up to their expectations with its response. “The school acts very quickly with many issues, but failed to do so with these events,” said Sierra Hubbard-Salk ’18. “Friends addressed the events in Ferguson and Staten Island,” said Sahana Mehta ’16. “Though this is a step in the right direction, it is a bit disappointing that I feel that this is some sort of feat for our community and its advocacy for justice. I find that we spend too much time in reflection and not enough time in action,” she added. Mehta also expressed concern over the possibility that this conversation about race will be overshadowed by different matters. “France being on the news instead of racial injustice in the U.S. does not mean that this issue has gone away, or been resolved—it just means that we have been distracted by other issues.” Still, many who attended the events were struck by what they experienced and saw. “The energy, enthusiasm, and passion of every person marching completely struck and amazed me. People were relentless, bold, and brave in a way that I have never seen before,” says Lily Weisberg ’17. “I was also surprised that despite all the anger within the protests, there was so much kindness between strangers.” Despite the actions of the school, some students felt that our own community has still not understood the gravity of the issue. “People in our school make ‘ironic’ and ‘cutting edge’ jokes about race, claiming that it’s commentary and not veiled racism,” reflects junior Anya Bernstein.
The Millions March in NYC.
Friends students and faculty join the protests.