13 Mar When Separate Isn’t Equal
South Central Youth Empowered thru Action (SCYEA) took a trip to Beverly Hills to check out the conditions at those schools. We had heard Beverly Hills High School offers 180 courses, including European Studies and all the AP classes. Over here at Crenshaw in South LA, where I’m a junior, we barely have World History.
The purpose of the trip was for us to learn that the conditions in South LA are not normal and we should not normalize them. We know our schools aren’t given enough funding, but when you compare the conditions to the ones in white neighborhoods, it really puts the lack of resources into perspective. The outside and recreation areas were so well kept and most of the equipment looked new. I will never forget how strongly I felt that day that I was being cheated.
The vibe was pretty low during our car ride back and no one was talking much. It made me sad thinking of me, my friends and classmates who have to walk by piles of trash in our “Wellness Center.” Or going to our 4th-period class only to find a locked door and no teacher in sight–that class is supposed to be a college prep class for Public Health and Speech.
Most days, my friends and I show up and school staff tells us, “your teacher is coming.” The next day, it’s the same thing. So they tell us to go to our guidance counselor, who then tells us to go sit in the library. When we get to the library, the librarian says we can’t sit there during class time. When we go into the hallway, a security guard asks why we’re not in class.Where are we supposed to go?
My school doesn’t have a nurse. When kids get sick, they go to the attendance office and their parents are called to pick them up. The nurse’s office is literally empty. I had a stomach ache, and got handed an ice pack. How does that help me?
I’m the youngest of seven siblings. All but two have gone to public school. They all have their own stories about the same things I’m experiencing. This has been going on for years and years. I didn’t choose these school conditions I have described. I don’t know anyone who would. But I’m choosing to change it.
Through SCYEA, I learned about Schools & Communities First. I collected signatures to get it on the November ballot in California. It will help with the staff and resources issues Crenshaw and other schools in South LA need. This initiative will bring in $12 billion for schools and $3.75 billion goes to L.A. County.
As a SCYEA member, I want my school to change for the better by helping Schools & Communities First pass in November. I don’t have younger siblings who will come after me, but my friends do and they deserve better.
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