Black Lives Matter at School Discussion Highlights Student Voices

During the third National Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action, Hackensack Education Association's PRIDE held an inter-generational forum with students, educators, and community members. It was a powerful evening of courageous conversations that focused on the impact that racial bias has on education. Jeff Carter, president of the Bergen County Branch of the NAACP, Hackensack alumni Ryan Cobb, and Hackensack educators Caseen Gaines, Heather Mecka, and Griselda Almonte-Delgado joined a panel of seven students from 7th - 12th grade to launch the conversation between generations.

Tedra Andrews spotlighted recent headlines from New Jersey news that highlighted some of the challenges Black and Latinx students face today. The headlines included "N.J. Schools among ' most segregated' in the nation, suit says,’ ''Black kids in N.J. schools are suspended at a higher rate than white kids, data shows," and "N.J. wrestler forced to cut dreadlocks still targeted over hair, lawyer says." Tedra expressed personal connections to the headlines and said that in her four years at Hackensack Middle School, she has only had four Black teachers, none of which have been male.

Next, James Vargas read his poem, "I'm Hispanic," which listed the many stereotypes he has combated in school. The first stanza of James poem reads, “I’m Hispanic so I'm not legal/Disrespected by Americans/looked down on by the bald eagle/Discrimination is prohibited/but we’re still not treated equal.”

Denyce Balcacer, a senior at Hackensack High School currently taking an elective called Race and Representation with Mr. Gaines spoke about the intersection of race and culture as a Dominican American woman. She recalls straightening her hair because she thought her curly hair did not meet the standard of beauty she had internalized. Today, she rocks her curls with pride, countering the ideal Western beauty standards. She also expressed the need for educators to see the whole child. Denyce is a talented artist that, “never took an art class in school.” She advised that educators need to help students explore their talents and areas of interest instead of focusing on testing.

Rafeeat Bishi, another senior in Mr. Gaines Race and Representation class, described the impact of implicit bias on her teacher's expectations for her. She said, "Stereotypes have affected me in a way that people assume I'm not meant to achieve. When they see me, they don't see the typical high GPA honors student." Rafeeat further explained the importance of the event. In order to create equality for our students at school, we must encourage those who feel neglected. Students who aren't typically given the opportunities to excel or are not taught in a way that affects their identity may not feel included at school. Conversations are necessary because if we don't talk about these situations, they won't change. I guess my goal is to see more people who look like me represented in spaces that aren't typically made for us."

Julia Thompson, 7th grade, believes more conversations are necessary. Julia expressed pride in the diversity of Hackensack, saying she has friends from many cultures and open conversations bridge greater understanding between cultures.

Another 7th grade student, Amiya Hutchinson, spoke about her personal journey to maintain high academic standards while staying engaged and at times feeling disconnected from the curriculum. Amiya suggested appealing to students by giving them choices in class and teaching them about their history.

Alyssa Cavallo further emphasized the importance of youth voice. She stated, "I come from a family rooted in immigration and the hope for a better future. The subject of race and education holds a special place in my heart, and I strongly believe that student voice is the key in solving this long time issue of inequality in our school."

Throughout the panel discussion, attendees were able to participate by posting comments through an app using real time feedback. Audience members shared common concerns over the curriculum. One wrote, “I was educated in the 50s and 60s in New Jersey and did not learn about the broadness of black and brown history,” while another attendee noted, “The curriculum did not represent me or hold my culture in high esteem.”

Some attendees recalled how bias impacted their schooling. “Bias impacted my schooling tremendously. I was never pushed, because my teachers thought average was, “good enough” for me. Looking back I believe I could have done more if my teachers believed I could do more.”

Event coordinator, Raquel James-Goodman, was encouraged by the turnout with more than 120 people from across Bergen County in attendance. James-Goodman said she proposed a panel discussion with students because they are our future leaders and adults can't simply silence their experiences. "The students are sitting in our classrooms that are disproportionately taught by culturally illiterate educators. As a profession, educators need to wake up. The students are our clients, and we are losing them because we fail to honor them. It is our responsibility to create a learning community in which all students feel comfortable, challenged, and valued. My role is to meet students where they are and move them closer to self-actualization so that they understand their creative, intellectual and social power. To facilitate this enrichment process, culturally responsive teaching is necessary."

The audience seems to agree. When asked, "What must we do first to create equity for all students?" over 50% of the audience chose, "train staff in culturally responsive teaching."

The evening ended with attendees gathering for a post-discussion reception sponsored by Hackensack Education Association's PRIDE that included refreshments, book giveaways, and a book signing by author, Nathaniel Sojourner Truth.