Garfield Messenger: Volume 96, February Issue

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We would like to thank our benefactors who made this issue possible. For more information on our benefactors or how you can support The Garfield Messenger visit garfieldmessenger.org.

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ear readers, As many of you know, February is Black History Month, a month where the achievements, history, and hurdles of Black and African Americans are recognized and remembered. The month of February holds pride for many Black and African Americans, as it is a chance to appreciate our background and the struggles and perseverance from which we arose. We would also like to acknowledge the fact that Black history and excellence should be celebrated year round and not confined to one month. For white people, Black History Month can be seen as a type of white guilt to bury away the years of racism they piled upon people of color. Rather than focusing on the painful aspects of history, we wanted to create an issue that celebrates the power, strength, resilience, and excellence of Black and African Americans.

This issue contains articles, art, and poetry from various Black Garfield students and other people in the community.

Each of the submissions in the issue showcase Black excellence and Black History. We would like to thank all students, staff members, and other contributors who helped to make this issue possible. We hope you understand the importance of our history and this issue. Thank you!

- Delphi and Hailey Contributing Editors

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EDITORS DELPHI DRAKE-MUDEDE HAILEY GRAY COVER SHOOT DIRECTOR: NAOMI HAILE COVER PHOTOS BY RUBY SEIWERATH

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HISTORY OF THE C.D.

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SECURE THE BAG!

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STUDENT ART

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BLACK HAIR

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BLACK EXCELLENCE

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POETRY

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DEAR GARFIELD,

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DEAR WHITE WOMEN,

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INTERVIEW WITH MR. ACOX

BY HAILEY GRAY

BY AMARI GARRETT

BY VARIOUS ARTISTS

BY TSION BELGU AND FALISHA SAMUELS

BY DENAIJAH KENNEDY- SMITH

BY VARIOUS WRITERS

BY KHABIRAH WEDDINGTON

BY NICOLE SCOGGINS

BY ZUBERI WILSON

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THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE

BY SIMONE CIELOS

Art by Emma Riddick

HISTORY OF THE

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he Central District (C.D.) has a history rooted deeply in a plethora of cultures and social classes. Throughout the years, the C.D. has been home to Jewish Americans in the early 1900s, Japanese Americans around the 1930s, Black and African Americans people in the 1970s, and majority whites in the development of the 21st century. Each demographic change in the C.D., marks a change of wealth, prosperity, economic development, and segregation. Ultimately, inhabitants of Seattle have experience how segregation and systematic oppression not only shaped our nation, but our neighborhoods as well.

Despite the variety of races and ethnicities in the C.D., the neighborhood is known for being the home to many Black and African American people. In the 1970s, the C.D. was around 80% Black, but now is around 20% or less. The drop of the Black population was no accident; this racial change was executed through gentrification. However, segregation systematically created by the government was the spark to displacing people of color to begin with.

Redlining was a legal form of segregation that refused banking or home loans on the basis of race or ethnic makeup. This government act forced people of color into ghettos, by denying rights to move into well developed and wealthy suburbs. Additionally, disproportionately high rents and mortgages were given to people of color, in order to prevent them from moving into certain neighborhoods, and allowing them to be stuck into a cycle of poverty that lingers in modern day. Placing people of color

in less developed urban areas, limited access to education, worse housing prices, and fewer resources, puts already disenfranchised groups at a systematic disadvantage.

Redlining, which was sparked by the racism and jealousy of whites, allowed for the place-

ment of whites on top of society’s racial hierarchy, at the expense of people of color. The crush of people of color by the feet of white’s internalized racial superiority is faced in various urban areas, and Seattle is no exception.

Despite Seattle appearing progressive in terms of those it welcomes, in actuality, there was a long term fight for equality that many marginalized groups continue to struggle for. The C.D. used to be the home for those

ostracized on the basis of race. Garfield was at the center of the Seattle’s redlining, making our neighborhood predominately Black in the late 1900s. However this began to change as people of color were no longer

forced into areas, but rather pushed out due to gentrification, a process that renovates low-income urban areas to appeal to wealthier, affluent residents. The irony of this process falls under that fact that people of color are now uprooted from the areas they typically were forced into.

Both events are important events to the development of the C.D.’s history and to the history of Black and African American people in the U.S.

CENTRAL DISTRICT

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or hundreds of years, the advancement of African-Americans in the world has been slowed by policies and socioeconomic barriers that work to prevent their economic development. The economic stability of a group directly affects its ability to advance in society; and that is why it is important to take a look at the challenges that African-Americans face in that regard, and how those challenges can be overcome.

The two greatest factors preventing our economic advancement are lack of ownership and access to good education.But

how do African-Americans have a lack of ownership when they have an estimated collective of 1.1 trillion dollars in spending, and can afford to purchase things like like cars, clothes, homes, and even their own businesses? Well, when I talk about ownership, I’m referring to that which allows for the development of communities that are subject to being displaced by gentrification and other processes that cause African-Americans to lose their businesses and the little bit of ownership that they do have.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Are you implying that in order to aid the economic development of African-Americans we need to stop gentrification?! Gentrification is inevitable. It just happens and you can’t really do anything about it, right.

Wrong. Gentrification can be stopped and the solution is simple– African-Americans need to own land. In 1999, African-Ameri

Photo by Toby Tran cans own about 2% of the land in america compared to the 96% that white Americans own. This disparity has a significant impact on African-Americans’ ability to progress, because it makes them susceptible to displacement.

A perfect example of this is the Central District of Seattle, in which the population of African-Americans has decreased tremendously over the past couple decades. To remedy this, long-time resident and community activist Wyking Garrett has been working to increase African-American ownership in the Central District. His largest project, Midtown Plaza, which encompasses the entire block.

STUDENT

ART

Paige Anderson (Top Right) Jazz Klyne (Below) T’aira Bardwell-Alford (Remaining Three)

Afro

Bantu Knots

Head Wrap Head wraps can save us from a bad hair day or make a bomb fashion statement, but it also has a history. It first originated in Sub-Saharan Africa, where it was a sign of enslavement by white masters. It was also used to distinguish between black people without power and those who had power.

During and after slavery, black hair was called “nappy”, “kinky”, and “unprofessional”, and black women were expected by society to conform to European beauty standards. However, with political activists such as Angela Davis rocking an afro while fighting oppression during the BPM, the hairstyle emerged to be a symbol of black beauty and pride.

Natural Hair

If You Ain’t Black Don’t Jack Captions by Tsion Belgu Drawings by Falisha Samuels

Bantu is a word that describes the 400+ ethnic groups within southern Africa who speak the Bantu language. Bantu knots are a protective style made by twisting your hair around itself until it forms a knot. It is commonly used for overnight routines, in order to have beautiful curls the next morning.

Dreadlocks

Hair has been one of the most important parts of black culture and identity for centuries. In the ‘60s, the Black Power Movement (BPM) was created to reawaken racial pride and promote change in black communities. Many women saw this as a chance to recapture their roots, specifically in their hair. These are some of the most popular styles worn black women today.

Cornrows For decades hot combs and straightening irons have been the “cure” to “kinky” hair. By the mid-20th century, most beauty shops were stocked with relaxers and hot combs for black women because having straight silky hair was what was professional. But following the BPM, more women decided to wear their hair naturally.

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Cornrows on black women date to at least 3000 B.C. when braid patterns and hairstyles were an indication of a person’s tribe, age, marital status, wealth, power, and/or religion. In Ethiopia, warriors and kings were identified by the the style of their braids. Cornrows now are largely worn throughout West Africa, Sudan, and the Horn Of Africa (Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti) and is used as a protective style.

Dreadlocks are a hairstyle that hasn’t been combed, brushed, or taken care of at all. Over time the hair gets knotted into itself and forms dreads. Ancient Egyptians were found wearing dreadlocks but there are many beliefs in which a person may get dreads. Rastafari is a religious movement whose followers are often seen wearing dreadlocks; they believe that you were created the way you are thus and shouldn’t manipulate your hair.

Black Excellence

By Denaijah Kennedy-Smith

Zalay Sherrell, Junior Although the 400-year span of slavery ended in the late 1800s, African Americans have still faced systems of oppression in their everyday lives by institutionalized racism. Ruby Bridges was a young girl in 1960 when she became the first black child to attend an allwhite school. Nearly 60 years later, black excellence has soared at schools, including Garfield. At GHS there are now many ways for people of color to express themselves in programs like BSU, Y-Scholars, and ASB. We, as black students, break the stereotypes that are put onto us. We prove to others that we are special and unique, that being black is beautiful, being black is powerful, and that we are one of a kind. We prove at Garfield that we can do whatever we put our minds to, even though some are oblivious to what happens in society, we continue to stay strong and fight for what we believe.

In a positive aspect, how is it to be an African American student/kid at GHS? Moet Beaver (Garfield graduate, UW student): It was cool because the black community here is very close, being in it you’re not really aware that there isn’t many black people. Leaving Garfield and going to UW is like damn, there really isn’t any black people in Seattle. You really see the difference.

Jerald Butler (Artist, BSU member, 2018 ASB Treasurer): It feels good, heritage and black history of the school, knowing that many African American people have made change to make a way for black people to be in this area.

Karl Ingram (Drama and 2018 ASB president): To be honest, it’s a culture shock. At my old school I’ve never experienced so many black students and black culture itself; coming here I’ve been able to grow within myself.

When you this of Black Excellence at GHS, how is it presented?

Deianira Stoudamire (Basketball Player): I see it through sports and academics, I see people excelling in what they do best and representing themselves, breaking the stereotypes put upon us.

Moet: I think of the music, the sports team, the

school spirit… it’s a very urban vibe; it was hype, very nice and very traditional. I think in education. When you have a good amount of black students in the AP program, it not only speaks a lot about the school but about this generation of black kids… b/c there is so many limitations that prevent us from excelling. Proving that we are smart enough is AMAZING because it’s so unexpected.

Coach Joey Thomas (Staff at GHS, Football coach): We have a black principal… that is huge, that is black excellence at its finest. He is in the top dog leadership position. We have a vice principal who is a black woman, which has to be truly inspiring to young women. We have a black athletic director, another black woman in a leadership position.

Name about three accomplishments you know your fellow (AA) friends have accomplished~ other than sports.

De: I know that Lauren Howard just received an AP scholar award. I know a few people who just received scholarships for the UNCF portfolio project.

Karl Ingram, Senior Moet: getting into college. Receiving college scholarships. Managing balance.

Jerald: Ethnic Studies ( a bill being passed) and led by Mr. Hagopian; most of the African American students have/are graduating from high school; we are able to give people a chance to speak their minds: national anthems at assemblies.

Zalay Sherrell (Rapper): Grades of course, as well as making it to the next level. Our people are really focused on graduating; African American students wanting to go to HBCUS. Coach T: I know for a fact one young man has a 3.9 GPA (Savell Smalls)… he was disappointed he didn’t get a 4.0, goes to show that black excellence and what his goals are for himself.

Karl: I know a few of my friends like Betelhem she has got into her #1 school. Denaijah Kennedy-Smith or even Jerald Butler are really driving in leadership... you really don’t see a lot of times where people get to lead in that kind of setting.

As far as the teachers making these changes,

to teach about the African Americans / BLM for black history month… what’s your opinion?

De: It feels Forced. BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY. Jerald: It’s very noble, but personally I feel like it’s not really doing much for African American students Zalay: I feel like we should talk about it for more than just a week, we have a whole month for a reason. Think about it, February is the shortest month, and not just about slavery… but about problems in the world.

Coach T: It could be a step in the right direction if it’s genuinely done, but it could just be a smoking mirror “let’s look like were doing our part” type of deal.

The proof is in the pudding.

To keep the black community strong at GHS, what do you think needs to happen?

De: There needs to be more representation. We need to be a part of our community more versus just being OK with not voicing our opinion… we need to be involved more, and push one another. Let’s educate ourselves and other for what needs to happen Moet: There needs to be support from everywhere, the staff needs to support black students, the community and as well as the PTSA b/c… black kids get placed as adults sooner than say white kids- children need support just like adults do. Support towards black students would be very monumental.

Coach T: We need to continue the conversation.

People will be uncomfortable with what’s going on, but when it comes to black excellence/ black people and what we go through… Black Lives Matter and what it means. How are you going to apply to the change? Turn conversation into action.

Karl: I think people need to stop thinking “what gangs they want to represent” or “who said what about who” because in the long run, we are the ones who have to stick with each other. B/c all these systems of oppression that are oppressing us, it is not the sh*t… if we are not together then we are going to fall.

BLACK WORTH is like, if we were not in this world… the world would not exist, everything came from black people. Black worth is the most important thing to this world.

Joey Thomas, Football Coach

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Me, in America

Untitled

1 through 43 hung my ancestors from trees Then came 44 that’s the change that we need Brothers in the White House?

Brother that’s the right house But then came 45 how we supposed to succeed?

See my uncle got locked up just for selling some weed Now the uncle down the street just be handing out trees Amerik-k-k’s got me hopeless but I’m done on my knees I’m bout to scream and then shout I’m bout to show the Oval Office what the brown is about And I don’t do this for clout I’m on a special kind of mission So either change up your clique Or face the fist of revolution Cuz my angers been mustered It’s your life that you risking After all the black bodies I seen on television After all the brothers, homies, sisters that’s came up missing You can bet I’m fucking angry Man I’m fucking enraged History don’t even save me cuz you pissed on the page See you caged and enslaved us Demonized and deranged us Took away our gods and said only Jesus could save us For 40 acres and a mule?

Man that just ain’t cool Then you gotta ask the question Why we drop out of school?

Why we ride with a tool?

Cuz the system’s bet against me The brown boy in the back seat Cuz the way I talk is too street too black Man I swear to god this country’s just too whack But hold on let me backtrack I’m tired of being discreet After all you torn from us you gave us one lousy street And I drive by MLK Almost every damn day Let me tell you what I hear and you can tell if this is fair Gunshots Crack rocks Another street fight Boys in red and blue ready to take another black life This a drowning society I hope these words embody for you The land of the free The America I know to be true

By Jamaica Aytch

They say I should be proud to be American, I say no, no, no, no I’m not proud to be American.

I’m proud to be a Black woman who made it in America.

See, I fell victim to the statistics, But I rose above their predictions.

Not yet where I want to be, but I won’t let nothin’ stop me.

They tell me everyday this society ain’t made for me so, I let my tenacity, be the reflection of my ancestors who paved the way for me, you can call it destiny.

See, I have a vision to pave the way for my seeds and not just the ones that I birth, but the ones that are connected to me here now on earth.

I know they watchin’ me, I know they banking on me to succeed.

I can’t let ‘em down, I have to show ‘em how a Black Queen prospers, I can’t lose the crown.

Dear America, I keep hearing the sounds, the sounds of my beautiful Black people getting slapped down, slapped down by ya system.

See, we have to continue to make strides, build a foundation so our young people to do more than just survive.

100 years after slavery, don’t you think it is about time.

About time to break free from their chains, not the ones wrapped around our hands and our feet, the ones around our brains.

Dear America, Listen to what I proclaim, your justice is not my justice, your people are not my people, your culture is not my culture, yet you want me to conform, but no America, no more, this is where I REFORM.

By Theresa Hardy

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We Are

Revolutionary

“Have you ever heard the sayings, she’s as strong as an ox hard as a rock!

They are too dominating, aggressive and bossy.

All black women have bad attitudes, and I do mean all.

They can build a house, have thirty kids, clean a mansion and cook a good dinner of: Fried chicken, greens, cornbread, watermelon, and don’t forget the Kool-Aid… all in one hour!

She ain’t good for nuthin but havin Bay-Bay kids and stayin on welfare.

All the black woman is, is the white man’s whore and she wonders why her man runs to the white woman.

A nuclear missile couldn’t knock her down.

After the explosion she jus get back up, wipe the dust off her shoes and keep on steppin!

“This is about the lives of African women and our struggle of dispelling those ridiculous myths that have contaminated our image and turned us into everything everyone else wants us to be instead of who and what we really are.

We are, we are, we are.

“We are fed up with this B,S.!

We ain’t your ho’s, hoochies, hoodrats, tricks, mammies, sapphires, pikaninnies, and any other degrading name that has been used to describe us.

“And we ain’t jus yo mama’s, aunties, sistuhs, wives, nieces, etc, etc, etc.

We ain’t, we ain’t, we ain’t!

We are individuals with voices to be heard.

We are human beings with emotion and feelings, with thoughts and ideas.

We experience triumphs and tragedies, as well as ambitions hopes and prayers.

We are, we are, we are!

“The time has come for us to define ourselves and by ourselves.

The power of definition is so dynamic that it cannot be expressed in just one word, one sentence, one phrase, one anything.

We cannot and will not it into society’s small perfect boxes that have been set aside for us to climb right on in

“We cry as well as rejoice We Sing and dance as well as mourn and grieve.

We ain’t just some face in Ebony, Essence or Jet who you stare at in awe of our beauty or turn away from what you may see as hideous.

There is so much more to us than that.

So much, much more.

We are women, African Women.

We are, we are, we are!”

By Watani Marks-McThomas Garfield class of 1995

Right fist in the sky – Revolutionary Black Lives, Black Pride – Revolutionary Love Yourself for Yourself – Revolutionary Your worth aint your wealth – Revolutionary I think I’m John Carlos, I think I’m Malcolm X Reppin on the podium, wonder if I’m next Cuz I’m goin for the crown or I’m going deaf If I couldn’t do it right then I’m going left I’m never trippin on this road less paved pushin past the path comin out unscathed But everybody got some scars, sum it up to the game The trauma gave me some bars, I’m getting rid of the chains, huh I think I’m 2pac with a Pops and a college degree I think I’m Cassius graduating to Muhammed Ali If you aint listenin you bouta be a Liston then Say my name, say my name “Rell Be Free” Black Lives, Black Pride – that’s Revolutionary White cops conditioned to think that niggas scary And Black folx conditioned to think that cops are hate We got the relevant evidence on the news at 8 I think I’m Kobe Bryant, I’m a volume shooter I’m a King with a Dream, think I’m Martin Luther Check the thesis, this the cleanest exegesis seekin Peace despite the beef until I’m standing next to Jesus Radical Love, yeah, that’s Revolutionary I get the spirit from inside this fragile heart in my chest Drippin blood, sweat and tears til there aint nothin left That’s Revolutionary

By Jerrell Davis

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Open Letters

Dear Garfield,

My name is Khabirah Weddington, I am seventeen, and I am currently a junior at Garfield. I’m originally from Kansas City, Missouri but moved to the Central District at a young age. I grew up in a very strong community of leaders who taught me to stand up for the things that are important to me. I’ve been blessed to be raised by a community built by organizations such as AfricaTown, the place where I was taught many skills from leadership to public speaking and even entrepreneurship.

If it weren’t for the resources and organizations that are often drained from communities like the one I come from I don’t think I would be the person I am today at all.

In my years at Garfield people always ask me, “Why should we glorify Black history month?” “What makes these people so special?”

“Why are people so stuck on slavery, why can’t people just move on?”. And most of the time my answer is, “What other race on this planet has been through what we’ve been through? And even through the process of oppression we’ve gotten our oppressors to dress and talk like we do”. In the words of Keith Sweat “nobody baby”. For decades our slang and Ebonics have been ripped off to fit in the mouth of those who once discriminated against it.

Black people are by far the most slept on people on the planet. Across the world, Black people have been

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making huge contributions, improving all of our lives. From the street light invented by Garrett Morgan to the heart of every summer water fight, the super soaker invented by Lonnie Johnson. WE DID THAT!!!

You can thank Madame C.J. Walker for the way you got your hair laid.

It’s about time we got credit for the things Black folks have done and continue to do.

Black women have been turned away from careers and academic opportunities for wearing cornrows or having their hair natural.

Now we see white people doing it and renaming and rebranding it.

Yeah so boxer-braids ain’t a thing sis, they’re cornrows.

We can’t let go of the problems of the past because they continue to happen. As Malcolm X said, “If you stick a knife in my back nine inches and pull it out six , there’s no progress. Progress is healing the wound the blow made. And they haven’t pulled the knife out much less heal the wound. They won’t even admit the knife is there”.

The racism that impacted our previous generations is still here it’s just less blatant than it used to be. The fact that Black people still thrive they way they do is remarkable. Black people set the trends and slang, and create the popular music.

Black people built this country off their backs, it really is phenomenal.

It is truly brilliance and resilience in its purest form. It is excellence to say the very least.

-Khabirah Weddington, BSU President

Dear White Women, When are white women going to stop dehumanizing black men? Black men aren’t property.

It shouldn’t be a competition for who can get a black guy. Nowadays white women are constantly on a chase for a black man. I’m not saying white girls can’t like black men, but what I’m saying is that you shouldn’t say “I only date black guys.” No one only likes one race unless they’re discriminating against other races!

If you only want to be with a black man because their junk is supposed to be big, or because having a black boyfriend is the thing to do right now, or because you want cute babies, realize that you are using black men as an object to help benefit you, and that is racist! They aren’t an item, they are people!

Before you call yourself a snow bunny, you should know the entire racist phrase, “snow bunny with jungle fever”. The phrase refers to black men as monkeys, and its only pur-

feel like black women are angry and don’t want to deal with that.

We are angry! And black men should be too!

Not only do white women benefit from black men, they also benefit from the dehumanization of black women. Black men need to stop saying “I don’t date black girls be cause their mean, crazy, bitter, or angry”. No, no, no best believe that these “black girls” that they’re disrespecting are the same ones that breast fed them and carried them around for 9 months. To categorize a group of people based off of stereotypes is similar to removing the significance of their existence. White women go get their body enhanced, their hair braided, and do different things to make there bodies look like a black woman. The black woman’s body throughout history has been seen as savage, as something to be entertained with and even experimented on, but will never be respected, at

“To categorize a group of people based off of stereotypes is similar to removing the significance of their existence.” pose is to help white women’s self esteem. Using the phrase white woman can try to separate themselves from their race and attempt to hide or feel better about their privilege.

I’m confused and frustrated because it seems like black men are consistently aware and happy to give white women a gateway to blackness; this is practiced through being passive in the degrading way they’re seen. Why do black men seem so unphased by their own dehumanization by white women? Maybe black men behave this way for reasons of validation, acceptance and perhaps denial of one’s own blackness. Another reason could be that black men allow it to happen because they are also complicit in the act of misogynoir. A lot of black men

least not to the same regard as a white woman’s might. It’s unfortunate that white women choose to continue to take black women’s culture without taking any responsibility.

It’s really important for white women to not think of black men as an object, but instead value them as men equal to white men or any other race. Additionally, if you know that your intentions aren’t good, realize you’re hurting an entire community.

I’m not only calling out white woman because I think you are the only ones capable of causing harm, but because the United States is dominated by a system of white supremacy that gives white people institutional power over Black people.

-Nicole Scoggins, Cheer Captain

Writing Submissions An Interview with Mr. Acox

By Zuberi Wilson, BSU Treasurer How long have you been teaching at Garfield?

“A very long time. Let’s just say that I did have your father as a student” What has been your experience as an African American affected by the Harlem Renaissance?

“The legacy of the Harlem Renaissance left a positive psyche within African Americans. So while not being apart of it, the people that helped raise me experienced it and so the positive psyche affected me. The Harlem Renaissance was the apex for the arts and people came all over the world to bare witness” Why did you decide to start teaching music?

“People like Duke Ellington, and Count Basie were very influential

for me and many others involved in music at the time. I went to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. And we had two options when we majored in music. We could either go out and play professionally, or we could go into the education field. My mother was a teacher and later a guidance counselor and so I tended to lean toward the direction of education. So it was a known fact that when I graduated from college, that I would be teaching somewhere.

All the people that had an influence on me were people that were involved with music education and education in general.”

What do you think of the issue regarding African Americans being less involved in jazz music and music in general since the Harlem Renaissance and why

do you believe there has been a decline?

“Well when the whole rap scene hit and then when making music became hi-tech, students, and especially black students, stopped playing instruments because they were rappng and doing beat-boxing so not a lot of African American students were learning how to play instruments. So therefore we don’t see a lot of them in the jazz band or any of the bands at the high school level.

We try to change that and get more people involved. But it changed when rap music became popular because black students got less involved.”

What message would you have for African American students at Garfield regarding the importance of music and especially jazz music in relation to our

Black culture?

“Well jazz music, which was created and developed by African Americans, is part of America’s DNA. Just like we study US history and American government, we should study jazz because it’s a part of the history of the United States. And young African American students should take significant pride in that music because it was created and developed by us. Not necessarily supported by us, but created by us. And so there should be a sense of pride that we feel for that music, because as I said before it is apart of America’s DNA. So we should all know about jazz.

Even if we don’t all play music, we should have an appreciation for it.”

the same background. This stigma is a wide generalization of a group of people however, the issue is not in the people of these communities, it is in the system they are forced to be apart of.

The American educational system is rooted in the dominant culture of white America, therefore it is simply tailored to white Americans. Why should a student be expected to completely change the social norms they have come accustomed to in order to fit a system that is supposed to tailor to their social behaviors and learning patterns? The educational system has been built by white Americans, for white Americans and for a long time it was built to oppress black and other marginalized students. If the system is built to oppress and deny certain people their rights it may be a sign that the system needs to be changed altogether.

A students purpose in school is to grow and learn, that objective is not fulfilled for many people in America. Education has been twisted and changed into an issue more complicated than its original purpose because of systematic and institutional racism implemented by a past of pain and oppression.

Juvenile jails have become a quicker way to pass at-risk students directly from school to prison. A relevant case is the King County Juvenile detention center. Against all “King County objectives,” to help the at-risk youth in the area, a 210 million dollar fund was put to start up a juvenile prison. Arresting kids does not help the issue, nor does it stop the crime from happening because it only punishes the person not system.

This lack of prevention only allows a perfectly flawed system to keep feeding children into prison.

The School to Prison Pipeline

By Simone Cielos, 9th grader

The School to Prison Pipeline is one of the most fundamentally racist issues in our schools today. The school to prison pipeline is a combination of policies and institutional methods that are deeply embedded into our educational system; these practices penalize at-risk students (predominantly students of color), criminalize behavior at a young age, and eventually push students out of the educational system and into the juvenile system.

Students can be targeted as early as elementary school.The process starts with minor transgressions and punishments yet within a year the minor issues begin to pile up and snowball into a larger issue. With each disciplinary action the student builds a darker and more negative view of school, associating it with punishment. For many, school becomes pointless and taxing, leading to the

increased rates in students of color dropping out. Without a high school diploma, and with a distrust in the education system, crime becomes more enticing. Just as acting out in school gets punishment, acting out in the real world gets punishment.

The mental correlation between punishment and school resides in many black students which could be why there are so few black teachers.

It is completely logical that black students would not want to go back to spend the rest of their life in a place that is already embedded into their minds as negative.

This phenomenon is highly prevalent in black, low income, and high crime communities. Since it is so common in these communities, a stigma has been created around students originating from these backgrounds. It has become a stereotype that is placed on all students with

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