Racism Speakout
April 2002

Twenty students trickled into Room 120. "Sit near the front -- We want to be able to hear what you think!," SGA president Kim McGuire repeated. At 2:36pm on March 14th, the Racism Speakout commenced. McGuire addressed the group of students, a spectrum of colors that had stopped by to discuss the racial tensions at Damascus High School.

"Thank you everybody for coming today," McGuire stated. "Dr. B said to me, what do students think?" And the result was the racism speakout. "Students, this is your opportunity to share your viewpoints, concerns, and solutions when it comes to racial issues at Damascus," a flyer promoting the event reads.

The first question was simple: "Is racism a problem at DHS?" Yes, many students sighed in unison. The conversation flowed from there. "I think it's ignorance," one African American student volunteered. "They dont know enough about the other side...They mock it...And I think that's the problem."

"I think it's really subtle -- People divide themselves in the hallway," but not necessarily on purpose, a white student suggested. A black student agreed: "People have their own comfort zone, and they don't want to step out of that zone." The white student responded: "Different ethnicities are distrustful of eachother -- that's why people stick together with people that look like them."

Another student pointed out that racism is often times an assumed trait of sorts. "Every time there is a conflict between students of two races, people automatically assume that because we're different, it was racism. It doesn't have to be because of the color of their skin."

McGuire asked for suggestions on how to come together. "I think we should mention racism more. It seems like Character Ed is teacher's only opportunity to discuss it," and too often, the lessons aren't taken seriously, one student stated. Another student agreed: "We need to get it out there, in the open. People are afraid to acknowledge that there is racism -- but everybody knows that it's there."

Not all of the students in attendance were as upbeat about the likelihood of improvements at DHS: "I don't think anything is going to change," one black student said. "You can have as many meetings as you want, but I don't think anything is going to change. You can't change how people feel."

"I kind of agree with her -- most people who are racist, their families are probably racist too," another student said. "You can sort of control what happens at school, but you can't control what goes on in their home." But another student points out that negative attitudes won't help the situation: "If we have negative attitudes, we won't be open to change our perception of people." It was suggested by several students that interaction between the races at school could influence students who would otherwise segregate themselves. "If you allow that interaction to occur at school, change could occur," one student said.

"I don't think it's true that just because you're getting it at home, doesn't mean you can't change," one student suggested. "It was in people's homes 30 years ago, and it's not now." Another student echoes the theme of change: "It is hard to change, but America is probably the most diverse country in the world...You just need to remember to be open-minded."

McGuire posed a question. "Is there peace at Damascus High?" "No," some students said, then several agreed that "there's a level of tension." One African American student addressed segregation: "You see us seperated at lunch -- but if I went over to the other side, do you really think they would want me there?" Yes, some white students said. "Anyone would be open to making new friends, no matter what race -- I know I would," one student said.

One African American student segwayed into the topic of stereotypes. "One time, me and (my friend) were in English class," she said. One of her teachers was singing the rap song "H To The Izzo." "All the white kids just turned around and looked at us," she recalled. "They were just looking at us, like that song was associated with us." "Like Jay Z is your uncle or something," McGuire joked. "How many of you have been targeted with a question such as "what does this slang word mean?," she asked. Half of the minority students raised their hands.

This led to the next question: "How do you know when something is because of your race?" "You don't," one student quickly responded. "There's a definition of (racism) but there isn't a set of rules...I think that people, especially teachers, need to be more sensitive." "Speaking up is the only way to stop the ignorance," another student suggested. "If you were offended about it then don't be afraid to just say something."