The Blue and Gold maldenblueandgold.com Malden High School Volume 102 Edition 3
77 salem street December 2016
Ways MHS Staff Can Support Their “Diverse” Students Gabriella Onessimo Head Copy Editor
M
alden High School is notorious for its cosmopolitan environment as it is ranked as the most diverse high school in Massachusetts. Although it can certainly be stated that Malden High is wonderfully welcoming of all races, genders, beliefs and identities, I believe there is a major factor of that picture that is overlooked. Within the umbrella concept of diversity are the vast complexities that come with being a person of color in a country founded by subjugation and marginalization of diverse groups; to understand these complexities is to be able to strongly reinforce the ideals of equality and equity in our school. Students undeniably face social stigma outside of the shielded bubble of a diverse school and it is imperative to ensure that this does not become an obstacle they face in school as well. After local and nationwide events that have penetrated Malden which reflect a lack of cultural consideration, ignorance toward feelings felt by minority groups and an inability to become an ally in times of social crisis, it is important to reinstate how our staff can properly walk in their students’ shoes with sensibility as to not step on their feelings and beliefs in the process. The school has established many safe spaces where students and staff alike can be themselves without suffering from any consequential unease or rejection. Our general progressiveness is commendable and I am not invalidating it by saying that we can do better to expand our philosophy of sustaining an environment that is all-inclusive and further understanding. The smaller amount of racial diversity in the staff compared to the students can result in an incapacity
in being able to be empathetic to students who are dealing with issues of social discrimination, whether it is directed toward a particular race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. It is definitely possible for the staff to achieve this and overcome the feeling of “How can I support my students?” when it comes to heavy societal subjects, but it starts with simply understanding. I believe that it is paramount for staff and even certain students endeavor to be cognizant of what adversely affects their community and think of what they can do to alleviate it, not perpetuate it. Diversity is a beautiful asset of Malden that our community takes profound pride in. We always speak of it in awe as we list solely the positives of diversity; opportunity for cultural exchange, development of open-mindedness, ability to broaden one’s worldview, etc. Discrimination is a vulnerable subject to have conversations about, but when somebody is talking about something personal in terms
of this, they deserve to be purely listened to without interjections. Experiences that are dealt with by particular groups can not be challenged by another group that does not face that experience, so ensure that you respectfully listen to students who reveal this instead of debate with them on the validity of it. Due to the fact that discrimination is experienced differently by everybody, there are varying perspectives of how discrimination manifests in life. A certain perspective can not be discarded as fallacious because you can not personally identify with it; that said, to grasp said perspective requires that you are open to learning about it which can happen if you solely let someone speak. A student at Malden, who is passionate about matters of social justice, reports that in their politically driven history class they do not “feel like it is a welcoming environment” when it comes to their views. ...continued on page 5
The seal of Malden in the middle of multiracial hands. Image created by Ryan Hames.
pg. 13
pg. 24
POWDERPUFF GAME
Malden
Toby Pitan Reporter On December 1st at 7pm in the Jenkins Auditorium, The City of Malden hosted a screening of “Generation Found,” a film profiling the lives of adolescents suffering from alcoholism and substance abuse while navigating their high school careers. The film told a story of academic redemption for teens who attended Recovery high schools, schools made up solely of students recovering from alcoholism and substance abuse. One of the schools profiled in the film was Archway Academy, a recovery high school in Houston, Texas. The school was established in 2003 by parents with children who struggled with drug and alcohol addiction in collaboration with adolescent addiction recovery experts. Archway Academy operates like most high schools; they offer standard core classes along with language studies, electives, and a physical education program. They also have a plethora of community service opportunities for their students to partake throughout the school year. The screening was free and open to the public. People with firsthand experiences with addiction had attended- some had been affected by it themselves and some knew of friends and family who had suffered from substance abuse disorder or the disease of alcoholism. Notwithstanding background, every viewer contributed greatly to the de-stigmatization of these issues within the community. Their viewership and attendance alone helped “keep Malden on the right ...continued on page 13 MHS Play Production presents:
Godspell
pg. 18 & 19
Holiday Parade
Generation Found comes to MHS
pg. 12
vs
d MeDfor
maldenblueandgold.com Malden High School Volume 102 Edition 3 December 2016