Teens inspire hope and change

As protests approach their third week, teens from across Southeast PA spoke out against racism during a capacity town hall, sharing their thoughts and experiences with a broad audience that included local, state, and federal officials, members of the media, and hundreds of others who tuned in to the extraordinary event.   

The conversation began with the Chester Children’s Chorus’ hearbreaking and beautiful performance of “I Still Can’t Breathe,” a haunting lament of the long history of violence and degradation of African Americans and their enduring resilience.

“Today, we are talking with young people about race and racism – a conversation that is often so painful that adults can’t talk about it,” said Tomea Sippio-Smith, K-12 Policy Director, PCCY, in her opening remarks.

“Our children have been watching, processing and leading. And today, they are weighing in.”

Proudly wearing his cap and gown, recent Academy Park HS graduate Kramoh Mansalay explained what led him to work for change.

“Black people have been failed by this government that promises us equality and fair treatment time and time again,” said Kramoh. “Police brutality disproportionately affecting black people is a prime and current example of a failure of this government.”

“What has motivated me to organize and advocate for causes such as this is my awareness of the reality that being black is criminalized in America, and if I want to see change, I have to be the change I wish to see,” Kramoh added. “That starts with community cleanups, along with hosting public information sessions on black history and related topics, attending protests, as well as signing petitions”

Kayla Cocci, a junior at Ridley HS, spoke eloquently about the challenges of being biracial, explaining “my skin is one color, but my heart is divided because of society.”

“I am a product of the love that we lack in today’s society,” Kayla said. “My skin color is the outcome of the unity between white and black love. I watch mortified with the reminder that my black brother could be Trayvon Martin, I cry with tears of frustration that my white grandparents who have raised me stare at their own race with anger.”

U.S. Senator Bob Casey offered his perspective and encouragement to the impressive panel of students, speaking to the impact America’s youth has already had and will continue to have.

“We have a moment here in American history that we’re living through that is unlike any moment of its kind at least in the last 50 years. It’s a moral moment,” Casey said. “And each of you is part of this and each of you can contribute to it. You’ve already inspired us adults to take action.”

The students were joined for this discussion by Senator Bob Casey, Congressman Dwight Evans, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean, and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon. PA State Representative and Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus Jordan Harris, Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh, School Psychologist and contributor to Ms. Magazine Dr. Tawanna Jones, PCCY K-12 Policy Director Tomea Sippio Smith, and town hall moderator, Loraine Ballard Morrill, Director of News and Community Affairs, iHeartMedia, with nearly two dozen PA House and Senate members listening in.

Harry Cotter, who is white, shared that he’s been privy to overt racism because his fellow white students are less guarded around him, lamenting that he’s “very rarely” seen students get punished for racism.

“I believe that many of my peers succumb to racist ideas because so many adults and institutions around them teach and/or reinforce those ideas,” said Harry, also a Ridley HS student. “Racism is not only systemic, it is generational. Representation and stronger, more thorough education on racial issues is essential.”

During the panel, the importance of allyship to fight racism was mentioned several times, including from Congressman Dwight Evans, who also congratulated the students for their courage and leadership.

“You need people other than African-Americans to raise issues about discrimination against African-Americans,” Evans said. “When you talk to a person, if that person is not ‘woke,’ you can educate them.”

After the event, several students agreed that they felt encourage by the lawmakers and agreed allyship was key. Many had already engaged in local action in their schools and communities to raise awareness of Black Lives Matter and had plans to ramp up their engagement.

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If you missed out Teen Town Hall on racism, we recommend you find the time this weekend to watch and share this recording on YouTube.