Vision for Peace
“Black Lives! Matter! Black Lives! Matter!” These were the chants of a young yet passionate group of students in response to the murder of George Floyd. We were all from Federal Way, the 5th most diverse district in the nation. Wanting social justice, we stood alongside members of our black community.
Helping found my school district’s Students Organized Against Racism (S.O.A.R) group truly was one of the most impactful experiences in high school. As a Korean American, I had long since felt the sting of otherness placed on immigrant communities, but for much of my life, I was still oblivious to the systemic racism that adversely affected many of my other peers. Not only were my eyes opened, but I also had the opportunity to contribute real change in my school district. Our school’s S.O.A.R group contacted the school board to discuss potential district-wide reforms like increasing school faculty diversity. We also decided to push forward and gather passionate students who felt the lasting effects of a discriminatory nation. I took the initiative of reaching out to our student body to organize a peaceful B.L.M protest against systemic injustices. When the day finally came, students gathered outside our school next to the main street. With an unexpected abundance of people, we were quickly able to fill the entire length of the sidewalk. It was truly amazing to look around, as young people used the power of their voice to speak against a system that was far bigger than them.
Wanting to follow our words with actions, we approached the school board and the superintendent. We presented several ideas that could improve our district’s commitment to antiracism. Among them was a petition to change our school name from Thomas Jefferson, a known slave owner, and alleged rapist, to something more genuinely representative of our incredibly diverse school. Although this was eventually shut down, my team and I, with the support of passionate staff and students, continue working to make the necessary change to create a community for everyone to feel they belong.
Now even more than ever are we seeing the descrimination towards the community of asians as we are being beaten, name called, and even killed. It truly scares me seeing these atrocities that are being commited towards my community, my people, my family. Seeing how these matters are often just forgotten I continue to fight and be the voice of the people and genuine represent the vision for peace. I am determined to make a positive change in every community I am involved in and I hope to do the same wherever I may go. I continue to work to inspire the youth, our future to take a stand for what they believe in and be the change needed in our world.
** Scholarship Awardee**
