The pledge also prompts people to advocate for increased training on community policing encourages locals to attend local government meetings and talk with local law enforcement calls on people to start conversations with friends and neighbors about combating racism and asks them to be a part of organizations such as the NAACP and the Peace Center. “We then have to help them navigate that dynamic … We teach diversity and inclusion so we can improve the quality of life for everyone.”Įarlier this week, the NAACP, in partnership with the Peace Center, called on communities to take the “Call to Action Pledge.” By doing so, community members are agreeing to advocate for a K-12 curriculum to combat racism in their school districts, by attending school board meetings, and writing to, or speaking with superintendents or individual school board members. “Sometimes we may be teaching things that don’t match the family’s values,” he said. Through working with schools across the county, Thomas has learned that what is taught at school “isn’t a lived reality when students get home.”
Quakertown incorporated the center’s programs following the 2017 incident. There is still much work to do.”ĭanny Thomas, director at the Langhorne-based Peace Center, said he’s working with area school districts to help them make their curriculum more inclusive. “Our children and their families tell us so.
“While we no doubt have made progress, there is also no doubt that racism still exists in our schools,” said Harner. Harner brought attention to Quakertown’s own struggles with racism, following a widely publicized event three years ago when students yelled slurs at cheerleaders from an opposing team from Cheltenham High School. “… Unfortunately, some voices of ignorance, hatred, and racism responded to our students’ message with death threats, and a call to line our downtown street with people holding firearms.”
“As educators, parents, and Americans we could not be more proud and applaud these students for their initiative in exercising their First Amendment right to assembly and peaceful protest,” Harner wrote in a June 2 blog. Just last week, Quakertown Community School District Superintendent William Harner called on communities to support students’ rights to protest peacefully, and he condemned online threats to silence them.
Some also were forced to directly address racist videos and comments from students and staff members that have surfaced on social media in recent weeks.ĭistricts also are standing up for students who want to organize protests. NAACP leaders and peace advocates across the county are pushing for concrete action - and some school leaders are listening.Īcross the region, many school districts issued statements expressing sorrow and calling for racial justice.
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