This was definitely one of the most challenging weeks of the year so far. Early in the week, there was a photograph posted online that depicted one of our students with a racial slur. This image quickly went viral with nearly every student in the school involved. http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/03/02/protest-at-eastern-technical-hs-after-racist-picture-appears-on-social-media/

Word quickly spread amongst the students that they would protest the image, and what appeared to be a lack of consequence from the school administration. There had been a consequence, which was in accordance with the student behavior handbook, but the students did not believe that it was equal in severity to the incident. http://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/the-real-eastern-tech-rallies-against-racist-snapchat-photo

Beginning early before MOD 1, a group of students sat on the lobby floor. They texted, Snapped, Instagrammed, and Tweeted their location to most of the student body, and the local news. Soon, dozens of students joined them. When asked to return to class, they refused. For safety, they did agree to re-locate to the school cafeteria. They continued their peaceful protest for the remainder of the first period. The size of the crowd grew with the first change of classes. There were now over 100 students involved, with more arriving during the second period.

The sit-in protest turned into a platform for expression of thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The student crowd was joined by a few teachers. They read aloud from letters and poems that captured the feelings of others when faced with such open racism. The news reporters were not allowed inside but remained in contact with our students through social media. http://www.wbaltv.com/article/eastern-tech-students-protest-racial-slur-on-baseball-field/9084532

The group was allowed to protest after lunch in the main gym. Now, 100’s of students were on site. The testimonials continued throughout the remainder of the day. Most of my students came to ask me if they could attend before doing so. A few chose to remain with me. I told them that they should “do what they need to do“.

In all my years of teaching, I have never been a part of such an event. I do not believe that this peaceful assembly could have happened at most other schools. There were no fights, no violence of any sort. The only members of the community that were angry were some of our parents. They were furious that this type of protest was allowed to happen. They wanted their children back in class. I would have to disagree. Our students needed the opportunity to voice their feelings. They did so in a way that should be an example to others.

Proud of them. Proud of our school.