Effective Protesting Online Extension

By Staff Writers Amy Chen & Vicki Xu

The Smoke Signal’s November issue featured an article about how student activism can effectively contribute to improving the community. This extension features additional content to provide more context on how the MSJ community feels about student activism.

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The Smoke Signal emailed Principal Zack Larsen and FUSD Board of Education members the following questions about their views on student activism. These are the full responses the Smoke Signal received from Larsen and FUSD Board of Education Member Michele Berke.

The Smoke Signal: How do you view student activism? What form of activism do you see as valuable and how and where does it have the potential to “cross the line”?

Zack Larsen: I view student activism as a method for students to learn about systems and how they function in the decision making and changing process. I see student activism that has a direct benefit on the education of students and/or well-being of students on campus as valuable. Activism has the potential to “cross the line” when others religions, cultures, and beliefs are trampled on in the process or as an outcome.

SS:  What are the first steps students should generally take to call for change? Who should students first contact to address issues and policies that affect the district?

ZL: Students should talk to teachers, school staff, and administrators as well as District officials to first ascertain why a policy is in place and the history of the policy.

SS: What past policy modifications have students introduced, and what changes did they bring about, if any? Based on past experience, what methods have been the most effective for students looking to amend district policies?

ZL: Students in the past, particularly the Class of 2009, worked collaboratively with school and district officials as well as parents to remove class rank from transcripts and roll back the school start time from 7:40 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Patience and many discussions have led to students having success in amending policies.

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The Smoke Signal: How do you view student activism? What form of activism do you see as valuable and how and where does it have the potential to “cross the line”?

Michele Berke: Student activism is an important part of our educational system. In many parts of the world (including the US), it is student activism that has created change in society and governments.The opportunity to exercise our freedom speech is a hallmark of our democracy. However, where there is a potential to cross the line is when activism results in violence, hate speech, and/or criminal activity.

SS: What are the first steps students should generally take to call for change? Who should students first contact to address issues and policies that affect the district?

MB: Students should first have an understanding of what it is they are trying to change and if there are policies in place, what is the historical reason for those policies. If the decision is something that can be made at a local (school) level, then they should talk with other students, their teachers/counselors/admin to express their views as well as get different perspectives and have the decision made. If the decision can’t be made at the local level, then communicating with district staff (and eventually the FUSD board) should be the next steps. Board members are always available to come and listen to students and students are always welcome to come and talk with the Board during open communications. Students should also utilize their local ASB and SURF Board E as an avenue for communication about concerns and getting perspectives about how to effect change.

SS: What past policy modifications have students introduced, and what changes did they bring about, if any? Based on past experience, what methods have been the most effective for students looking to amend district policies?

MB: In my past two years, there have been policy changes about how students can self-identify and we have made efforts to ensure our forms and policies are gender-neutral. The board has also addressed concerns about bathrooms/fixtures and cleanliness because students have brought them to our attention. Specifically at MSJ, students brought concerns about the pool and the Board moved it up on the priorities for Measure E projects. The Board, in my experience, has been very open to student concerns.

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In response to the results of the 2016 Presidential Elections, students at MSJ organized a rally at the Bell Tower Quad. Participants wore black to the rally, raised signs, and chanted “Love trumps hate.” The Smoke Signal collected students’ voices regarding the rally.

“I thought it was pretty inspirational for those who didn’t support the election results. Since we are under 18, our vote doesn’t count because we don’t get to vote. [This protest] was a good way for us to voice our opinions. [However], since the election is already over, it obviously didn’t directly impact the entire election, but it was an effective way to voice our opinions and relieve the stress we got from not being able to participate in something really important.” — Joy Halvorsen, 10

“I thought it was good that people were finally trying to express their opinions on the political side of things, but at the same time I thought it was rather pointless. I think that it really appealed to people who wanted to seem like they knew what they were talking about when in reality they actually didn’t really know anything about politics. I also thought that the re-appropriation of the ‘Black Power Fist’ from the 60s was extremely inappropriate [since these] two movements are not parallel at all. Also, about the hashtag ‘We Matter’: No one is denying that. No one’s saying we aren’t, and Donald Trump being elected does not deny the fact that we matter. So I thought it was just a place for attention and people trying to be politically active even though they know that what they are doing is useless.” — Samir Banerjee, 10

“I thought it was really moving that the entire school came together as a whole, especially the females. It may not have been effective since it was kind of the first time and not many people knew about it, but many people actually came to it. [I think] that the purpose was to show that there was an issue.” — Hassina Zazay, 11

“I like the idea of [the rally], but I don’t think that any change will come from it, and I don’t think anybody would do something about it. People would notice it, but nothing would happen. If everyone [on college campuses and other public places] is doing it then I think it will be effective, but for the rally here, what is their main goal? What are they trying to accomplish other than that they hate Trump? That’s just what I’m wondering.” — Apurva Aluru, 9

“I feel like it was a really good idea to show support for the people who feel marginalized by Trump’s victory because although he is our president, we cannot contest that anymore. We can try to make some changes in his policies and try to show lawmakers in Congress in D.C. that they should listen to us because there are a lot of communities that Trump has insulted through his campaign. Hate crimes have been starting already as a result of his victory because people feel that their racism, their sexism, and their xenophobia has been validated by his victory when it really has not. So I think it is really important to show support for groups that feel invalidated by Trump’s victory, like people who have been insulted by him constantly, like women, muslims, minorities, LGBT people. They all need support, so I think it is a great idea.” — Shayna Kothari, 12

“I think that it was really good of them to voice their opinions because a majority of the school is feeling very similar to how they were feeling. I don’t know how effective it was on a national sense, but I commend their effort on voicing their opinion and rallying up support for their protest. I wore black and viewed the [rally], but did not join in on the chants because it was a bit too aggressive for my liking … But us contributing, that’s good because we are bringing more awareness to our discontent with the election.” — Sonia Sakleshpur, 11

Photos by Staff Writer Ian Hsu