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Yesterday I was able to participate in the National School Walkout at my daughter’s elementary school in East Harlem. The whole school made a large circle at 10am in the playground across the street from the school, observed a minute of silence, and sang freedom songs.
To preview this event, my daughter’s teacher sent this email to the families:
Subject: Conversations about Parkland Florida and the Walkout
Dear Families,
On March 6 and March 9, we had two students who had brought in current events related to “March for our Lives.” Though this was a major incident, I waited for the students to bring up the issue themselves, which was presented through their current events. During our conversation, our students raised their ideas about the effect this event, that happened in Florida, could have on us in New York City. Some of the students discussed thoughts such as
- Will we start having gun drills?
- Why do we have to be in a situation where we have to worry about guns?
- This is unfair, but being wary of guns is now our reality.
- Why do the people in the NRA even want guns?
- Why is there an amendment that lets people have guns?
- I thought they were supposed to do background checks on people before they got guns. How did the shooter at Stoneman get one with such a troubled life?
- Will they try to make it harder to get a gun?
- I heard that the government might make teachers have guns.
- I might feel safe with my teacher having guns but what if someone else took it from them?
- I would not trust my teachers with a gun. I wouldn’t trust anyone with a gun.
- I fully trust that my teachers will use the gun only to protect me.
During our first conversation, no one mentioned the march, but when another student had the same article about the march for current events, this was after our school had made the group decision to participate in the march in our own way. We will be joining the Walkout on March, 14, 2018. We discussed what our role, as 4th and 5th graders, will be during this 17 minute Walkout, where we will be silent for a minute before singing songs that we all know. The students asked questions and thought such as
- Are we allowed to have signs protesting guns?
- Why are we having a walkout?
- Will we stay silent for all 17 minutes?
- We should sing seriously to commemorate the students and educators who lost their lives.
- I think we are showing that we don’t like guns and don’t want guns in our schools.
These are confusing times for all of us, both children and adults, and it will take time, and many more conversations for us to process all that has been happening. At this point, we’ve tried to make clear that our job as the adults in your children’s lives is to listen to their concerns, and to make space for them to talk when they want to talk. We don’t have the answers, but we listen, and console. Our message is the same in all the classes. The children’s safety is a priority for us, and we will continue to do the best we can to make sure that we continue to drive home that point.
Gabriel (the principal) recently sent a note regarding this National Day of Action taking place Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. If you are interested in joining us, meet us in the Carver playground immediately across the street from the school yard. We welcome your participation and support.
Thank you.
Cecilia 4/5 teacher, CPE I
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Across the street-in front of the school building, the CPE high school was holding a rally, with teens holding up a bullhorn and giving speeches in support of the students in Parkland and also for black & brown students who have been killed by gun violence. They had demands that they had written out on a board:
DEMANDS:
- No arming teachers with guns
- Decriminalization of black and brown bodies in our schools
- That police must use de-escalation techniques
- Schools should be safe places
- That our voices be heard
- More people vote
- Be the change you want to be
- More federal gun legislation
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And lastly, here is an extensive article about the national walkout in the NY Times:
From The New York Times:
National School Walkout: Thousands Protest Against Gun Violence Across the U.S.
In a coordinated action, students left their classrooms and sometimes marched in the streets a month after 17 people were killed in a Florida high school.