Credit: Erich Martin/NewtownPANow.com
A large group of Bucks County middle and high school students traveled to Washington D.C. in December to testify about hate incidents in Bucks County schools. On Saturday evening, the African-American Museum of Bucks County hosted a follow up forum in Langhorne Borough.
The forum was attended by students from across the county who traveled to Washington D.C. to speak with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and some who did not make the trek. The event gave students a chance to make their voices heard and air the experiences that caused them to want to journey to the Capitol.
“You’re all brave, young people, and I am very proud of you,” said Linda Salley, the board president of the AAMBC.
“I thought it was a really empowering experience for me to share my experiences with a member of the actual government,” said one of the student attendees.
For the student attendee, it was important for Fitzpatrick to listen to the experiences and concerns of young people in his district.
Other attendees recounted stories of being profiled by police, having racial slurs directed at them, swastikas being drawn on folders and problems in their schools.
After listening to and having an open dialogue about individual experiences, students brainstormed ways to rectify visible problems in the community. Ideas included showing open support for marginalized peoples, increasing diversity of teachers on staff at schools, diversity training for educators and sit downs between police and people of color to reach more understandings.
Fitzpatrick was supposed to attend the forum, but due to the budget crisis in Washington, he was unable to attend, explained Barbara Simmons, the executive director of The Peace Center.
However, Democratic congressional candidates Steve Bacher and Rachel Reddick were present and spoke to the assembled group.
“It hurts me deeply to hear of the experiences you have had, but it is so inspiring how you have dealt with them,” Reddick said. “It is inspiring to see a new generation of leaders.”
“I grew up white in this community, and I know that it is a different experience from what many of you have had,” Reddick went on, promising to do her best to listen to the students going forward.
“I am just in shock listening to all of these stories,” Bacher said, adding that seeing statistics is one thing, but hearing stories from real people is a totally different experience.
“I can’t walk in your shoes, but I promise that I will walk with you, and I will try.”
“We need to let them lead and we need to get out of the way,” said Simmons after the forum concluded.
“I think that this was a rich dialogue,” she said.
The next step for Simmons and others working on these issues are to bring solutions to the attention of people who can help. Opening dialogues with police, increasing diversity among teachers and being present at local government and school board meetings are the first steps, Simmons said.
Students from Council Rock High School South and North, Holland Middle School, Bristol High School, Central Bucks East High School, Lenape Middle School, Groveland School, Tamanend Middle School, Harry S. Truman, Tohickon Middle School, Neshaminy High School, Germantown Academy and George School took part in the two events.
