Lost and Not Found

LOST AND NOT FOUND

LOST AND NOT FOUND

One story that is special to me is one of a student that attends MBHS. There is a lot of things wrong with the school but one prevalent thing that they mentioned was the racism at the school. They mentioned how they often feel excluded and that they have to find people similar to them (students of color). They mentioned how because they are female and a black women, she is often viewed as rude or aggressive. They also mention how they feel like they aren’t learning much with teachers being absent often and incredibly slow Wi-Fi. There is also the problem of metal detectors that they mentioned and how there is no restorative justice at the school. They often feel criminalized. Overall the story shared was very personal.

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From almost all NYC students' experiences, we hear overlaps of many different R’s, there is never just one defining issue, they are all interconnected. This student at MBHS describes her deficient relationships with other students. She feels disconnected from other students in her school because of her skin color, and the prejudice others have towards her. She said how hard online learning was with the lack of good Wi-Fi and the absence of teachers and support, two necessary resources for a good, proper education. She lastly mentions the lack of restorative justice in her school and how every time she walks through the metal detectors she feels criminalized. No students should have poor relationships with students because of their skin color, no student should have no access to support, especially during an unprecedented pandemic, and finally, no student should feel immediately distrusted by their school the minute they walk into the building, somewhere supposed to be safe.3