Tri-Town Against Racism’s Creative Expression Contest to celebrate February as Black History Month stems from the source.
“We thought of the theme based on listening to the students. They feel like Black history really isn’t taught at the schools,” said Alison Noyce, the vice president of Tri-Town Against Racism, who is encouraged by what’s been submitted. “We already have an entry that’s a piece of art that’s stunning. We’re excited about the contest; it seems to have some good buzz in the schools.”
Students in Grades 7-12 either living in or attending school in the Tri-Town are encouraged to participate against a deadline set for February 21 at midnight. Submissions can come in the form of an essay, poetry, a piece of art, song, dance, short film, or any creative and original expression embracing the theme “Beyond Martin and Rosa.”
In considering a creative expressions contest, the truth emerged that not all students express themselves through writing, so Tri-Town Against Racism’s leadership opened the contest to several creative platforms.
“Let’s get kids interpreting [Black History Month] the way they wish it were taught,” said Noyce.
In contemplating what Black History Month often looks like in schools, the organization’s members envisioned many whitewashed tributes to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.
“Not that they shouldn’t be celebrated but celebrated in a [different way],” said Noyce, who pointed out that Parks didn’t happen to be riding the bus one day and decide in the moment that she wouldn’t relinquish her seat for a white person. “She was an activist; it was a deliberate, planned protest.”
Similarly, she believes that the popular quotes and carefully selected video clips of King’s speeches only expose young learners to lofty ideals and miss his deep connection and resolution about what was happening where the rubber met his roads.
“For a lot of people today, they would not have liked him,” she said. “We want the kids to really dig in, just go a little deeper. Maybe find something that’s not as comfortable for people to hear.”
As an example, Noyce pointed to King’s words identifying the less aggressive parts of society that say kind things but subtly, even unwittingly, ensure the stagnation of efforts for true change.
Acknowledging the recent influence that Tri-Town Against Racism has had with the Old Rochester Regional School District, Noyce recognizes that it will take significant time before curriculum sees the effect of the school district’s overtly anti-racist stance.
“I do have confidence, and I also think it will take time. It takes time to change the curriculum at the school,” said Noyce, who is happy to see ORR explicitly address racism with its anti-racism resolution, anti-racism policy in its student handbook, and professional development for its faculty and administration. Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson, she said, “jumped in with both feet partnering with Tri-Town Against Racism, working together, something we hadn’t seen before. They have a real anti-racism stance now.”
In creating this Creative Expression Contest for students, Tri-Town Against Racism intends to grow its educational arm just as it has in creating community libraries and exposing students to books that mirror the diversity in the world.
Entries will be judged by Tri-Town Against Racism’s leadership team and three community members selected by the organization. The winners will be announced on Sunday, February 28, at 4:00 pm on Tri-Town Against Racism’s Facebook page. Cash prizes will be awarded; 1st Prize is $200, 2nd Prize is $100, and 3rd Prize is $50.
Noyce said that Tri-Town Against Racism hopes this can become an annual event.
The content limits are no more than 1,000 written words and no more than five minutes of audio or video. Send entries to tritownagainstracism@gmail.com by February 21 at midnight.
By Mick Colageo