Sunday—July 5, groups of El Segundo High School students rally for diversity in hope for equality within their high school. The group of high school students referred to themselves as the Students for Change Coalition.
The organizers were passionate El Segundo High School students. Each of them showed extreme dedication to their scholastic unions and clubs. Groups like the Hispanic Student Union, the Black Student Union, and LGBTQ Club.
The rally was held in the middle of Library Park in El Segundo, California. The crowd of spectators included teachers and faculty members, ESHS alumni, as well as parents and several supporters of Black Lives Matter.
Elias Garcia and Gabriella Desh-Obie were among the ESHS alumni who helped coordinated the rally. During her speech, Desh-Obie claimed that “A lot of students here don’t feel comfortable being themselves. They conform to a community that does not accept them as who they are… Even though these students have amazing gifts and personalities.” Fellow ESHS alumni and rally coordinator, Elias Garcia confessed to spectators and supporters saying, “It makes me sad that we still have to come out here today.”
Succeeding student union presidents and club leaders voiced their share of their personal experiences concerning the various social prejudices at El Segundo High School. An ESHS student known as G.G., claimed that “A lot of micro aggressions happen at this school. Like when you walk past a White woman and she holds her purse…When a White guy says, ‘Oh your pretty for a Black girl.’”
Miles Christian, a 17-year-old ESHS student said “When they saw racism with their own weary eyes, and felt it in their weary hearts… I am disgusted with those jokes now. I am disgusted with my friends for creating and propagating them. And I am disgusted with myself for laughing.”
Journey Manzo, ESHS senior and spirited leader of the LGBTQ club, courageously opened up about her sexual curiosity during her teenage years. She said, “I was scared to explore my sexuality because everyone said bad things about it.” Due to her self-curiosity, she was humiliated by her fellow classmates. She claims that some of them called her terrible names like “dyke and faggot” while others “told [her] to commit suicide.”
The Students for Change Coalition came up with a short list of demands that was somewhat promoted during various segments, such as, a request to modify curriculum, a better diverse faculty, and the implementation of a zero-tolerance policy.
Natasha Lee, a senior at ESHS, called for “More Hispanic and P.O.C. teachers in our faculty, so [the student-body] can see themselves represented. And integrate Black and indigenous history into our curriculum because that history is our American history!”
The students called for the implementation of a Zero Tolerance Policy; in hope that it will put an end hateful and oppressive speech at their high school. The students made it evident that violations will not be tolerated but will be further judged an Equity Officer and by council of 10 students—all of whom are minorities. The Students for Change Coalition referred to this group as the “Community Council.”
Kris McNeela, an ESHS English teacher believes “The curriculum is not diverse enough. There has been progress made in the last few years… but we want to put our creative ideas together to make it represent the youth of today.”
The Students for Change rally was perceived as a significant steppingstone for the Hispanic Student Union, the Black Student Union, and LGBTQ Club. Therefore, creating the opportunity to express their personal experiences of prejudice, and platform their opinions concerning social change. The Students for Change Coalition are young students who are currently striving for a peaceful society through dialogue, in which further conversations must conclude for significant understanding.
