Today made for an excellent Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Pretty Eagle Catholic Academy. As AmeriCorps members, we were asked to do a special service project to commemorate the day and inspire service in our communities. Since our school did not have the day off, we wanted to do a service project that involved our students- to spread the spirit of service to them and to demonstrate what Martin Luther King Jr. was all about.
Weather complications and last-minute planning led us to the best idea we could have done. We shared a presentation about speaking out for what you believe and held a forum for students to voice what they care about.
We didn't want to just focus on MLK and what he did- we wanted to show what each of us have done in the model of MLK to carry on his spirit of activism and make change in our own communities. Don gave a great introduction to the message of Martin Luther- discussing what 'civil rights' and 'equality' really mean and how he stood not just for black people but for equality between ALL people.
Sarah showed photos from anti-war protests she's been part of and shared her dream of living in a world where somebody's child is not killing another person's child. Don shared photos from his youth ministry in New Jersey where they took action against homelessness. Matt talked about volunteering at a self-sustaining farm to engage in stewardship for the earth. I was excited to share about Activism Club and the steps we took to successfully get Stonehill to Think Outside the Bottle! (Reminded me of what a big challenge we took on, how much planning, time, effort, & passion went into it, and what an awesome success it was... re-inspired myself!)
After talking about the ways in which WE have taken action, we turned the floor over to the middle school students and asked to hear what they cared about- what they wanted to see change. Fellow teachers joined in with stories of racist interactions they've encountered and shut down. And Rich, our Crow P.E. teacher, said it bluntly to them- "I'm gonna say it straight up- you guys are so 'rez-ed out' that no one wants to stand up, no one wants to speak out- you need to stand up for what you believe and be proud to be who you are. Be proud to be Crow. It's up to you guys to be leaders in our community." He talked about hardships he's faced, inequalities and injustices that they deal with every day. He had powerful words, speaking through his own experience and relating to theirs. And they were listening. Though not many students spoke up, the inspiration was evident when my proposal to get together in a group to discuss, plan, and take action was met with enthusiasm. Within 5 minutes of Sarah posting our new sign up sheet for MLK Club, the page was half full.
So, looks like we have a little Activism movement stirring here at Pretty Eagle. We're going to meet at lunch/recess probably one day a week and really get some action going on the issues that they want to see changed. I was impressed that we were able to have such an honest discussion- about racism, drug & alcohol problems, real problems on the rez. And I'm excited that they seem to get that the power is in their hands. Looking forward to planting these seeds.
and righteousness like a mighty stream. - MLK Jr
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