"Stand up and be counted." The words of former Head of School Mildred Berendsen came to mind earlier this month as Chapin students in Classes 11 and 12 attended an informative Upper School News panel discussion titled "Creating Positive Change: Activism at Chapin, in College, and as a Career."
The panel, moderated by Chapin's Director of Community Life and Diversity, Erica Corbin, sought to explain how to make a difference in a community and what activism can look like throughout your life (at Chapin and beyond).
Leading the discussion were four passionate, successful individuals, each with a unique experience to share. Amari Tankard '13 and Gabriella Reynoso '13 both serve as active members of Chapin's Alumnae Cultural Awareness Program (ACAP) and are engaged in supporting LGBTQ+ people of color as undergraduate students at Columbia University. Katie Unger, a social justice trainer for Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ), works to bring white people into the movement for racial equality. "It's about realizing we're all in this together," she explained. Johanna Weller-Fahy, a reproductive rights activist who works as a DONA-certified birth doula, focuses on the positive care of pregnant people and works to eliminate discrepancies of care for LGBTQ+ patients and patients of color.
Ms. Corbin asked the eloquent guest speakers original and crowd sourced questions collected by several social justice activists in Chapin's senior class: Catherine O'Donohue, Amalie Seyffert, Khristina Spence, Jenny Xu, Vanessa Ross, Wassa Bagayoko and Helena Sanchez.
The result was a thought provoking, valuable discussion on everything from making your voice heard to providing support to marginalized groups you aren't a part of, leaving the Upper School students with a strong belief in themselves and their ability to create positive change.
Highlights from the panel discussion appear below:
What does activism mean to you?
Amari: "Activism, for me, is not just talking on the internet. It's about being as obstructive as you can be to get your point across."
Gabriella: "Activism is anything that you can do to create palpable change in your community. It's about going out there, changing hearts and changing minds."
Johanna: "For me, activism is making a positive, meaningful change in someone's life."
Katie: "Activism is taking collective action to move structures of power."
What was your first activist experience?
Gabriella: "During my tour of Columbia University, I saw students protesting about the government's investments in the private prison industry. I left my tour group to go talk to them. I had no idea what they were protesting about so I asked them where I could learn more. They provided me with sources of information to study. That was my first encounter where I realized that if I had a vision and a plan, I could change something."
Johanna: "It took me a while to find my place. But I learned that there are many different ways to make a difference, even if it's just being there for one person when they need you most."
How do you find balance between school, work, a personal life, your emotional wellbeing and activism?
Gabriella: "Take care of yourself first, because you matter. Once you take care of yourself, then you can start taking care of other people. And remember that education is a valuable thing. Take it seriously. To become a successful activist, you must nourish your mind."
Amari: "Chapin teaches you how to use the voice you have been given. You are all so lucky to be here! Make sure you take advantage of your education and make it work for you."
Johanna "Focusing on joy and love is in itself a radical act. Doing this work is emotional labor. Take care of your heart, find your people and let them take care of you. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint."
Katie "Build a reflective community around you of people you can trust. Find people who challenge you, and try to read lots of different things. You can learn from the strangest of sources."
What is your biggest advice to someone who wants to make a difference?
Gabriella: "Don't be afraid to take up space. If you don't like something, say something. Your opinions matter."
Amari: "Learn the language and say it as confidently as you can – people will listen."
Johanna: "Find your tribe, let them love you, love them back, and be gentle to yourself."
Katie: "Sometimes, when you confront issues, there will be push back. But just remember that when you get a response, it means that you're making an impact. If we're not pushing them so that they will move, we're not making change."