Monday. When I arrived at school, Ms. S told me all about an impromptu meeting the staff had had that morning to discuss a walk out that the students were supposedly going to hold.
Out of the loop again. No surprise.
Fourth period. Two students showed up. Out of a class of seven. (It's special ed. Smaller classes.)
At about the last half hour of class, a third student showed up with a late pass. Emilio had gone to the protest. And... it didn't go well.
It started out on campus. Administration had opened the gym to the protestors. But then they were going to march on city hall. I think. Emilio wasn't terribly clear on the plan. He was clear on the gates being open, so those that chose to go could go.
(The gates are usually closed and locked during the school day.)
They walked for miles. Emilio described where they went, and I recognized the locations. I've driven there. Walking from campus? It was a hike.
But sadly, it didn't go well. Fights broke out. There were weapons. Emilio told of a girl who got heat stroke. He got her water. He was upset that no one else seemed to notice her distress.
Then the police showed up. They had the choice of going back to school or being arrested. Emilio chose to go back to school.
As he was telling the story, Tatum, who had not joined the protest, responded. At the end of the story, she summed it up thusly: "That was not a protest. That was a riot."
Sadly, I think she was right.
What was this all about? Immigration. The school is very heavily Latino. The threats of ICE raids hits them hard.
(Tatum made a snarky comment about Mexicans. She's a proud Filipino.)
Anyway, not a lot of graphing happened that day. (This is one of the math periods as opposed to the history classes.)
Oh, that's tough. I feel for Emilio, and I'm glad he came back to class and told you what happened. Talking about it likely helped!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was nice to have a place to vent, I'm sure.
DeleteOh no. The Vietnam War protests took over some of my senior year in high school and I have some not-so-pleasant memories (no, I didn't participate in the protests) especially as my high school wasn't far from a college campus, where these may have originated. I can imagine the violence that broke out and of course none of that helps their cause. I also feel for Emilio.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely an interesting era.
DeleteA poorly executed plan for a good cause. Shame on Tatum, "they" could come for her family some day.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember what the protest was at my high school. A group walked (or began, I think it was too far to walk) to the school board offices about something. I didn't participate, and obviously it wasn't so important I even remember what it was! I remember when the Vietnam War ended. The basketball game was halted for the announcement. After that 18 year olds didn't have to register for selective service. My boyfriend went to register, a room on campus, and was told he didn't have to. He didn't. Oh, his mother was furious! I know of no one who joined the military from my class.
Yeah, it could have gone so much better. But it doesn't sound like anyone took charge of the thing.
DeleteThat's sad that fights broke out.
ReplyDeleteWe really weren't even allowed opinions in school (small church school, 8 grades, husband and wife teacher pair, wife taught grades 1-4 and he, 4-8). He was insane, probably certifiable, hung kids heads in garbage can, would say trash is for trash can, jumped around atop the desks with a fly swatter, laughing maniacly, trying to swat flies. Anyhow, no learning there, no nothing.
ReplyDeleteYikes. That's horrible.
DeleteThe distance from protest to riot becomes less especially when youngsters are involved.
ReplyDeleteVery true.
DeleteStudents do not check their first amendment rights at the door, and I’m glad these students care, but. OMG
ReplyDeleteNo, they do not. And I have no problem with them protesting. (I'd encourage them.)
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