STUDENTS UNITE! On February 23rd, just two days after the Brooklyn Friends School 11th grade returned from their Nobis Project field study experience “Race, Power, and the Preservation of AfricanAmerican History & Gullah-Geechee Culture” in Savannah, Georgia and on Sapelo Island, Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man and Sapelo descendant was shot and killed by two white men while jogging in Brunswick, Georgia. As a school community, we have been holding Ahmaud Arbery’s friends and family in light and love, and we have been inspired and moved by their powerful organizing to galvanize over 80,000 people through the iRunWithMaud* campaign for justice. This spring and summer, we have been honored to partner with the iRunWithMaud Committee, including co-organizing two events calling for students to unite in seeking justice for Ahmaud Arbery and to create systemic change. In collaboration with our Office of Service Learning and Civic Engagement and several members of the BFS Class of 2021, Cyrah, Kayla, Loane, Bebe, Alani & Evelyn, who have been serving as iRunWithMaud student interns, these events included thousands of students, educators, alumni, families, and school community members across the country. On June 2nd, we welcomed iRunWithMaud Committee Founding Members Akeem Baker, Demetris Frazier, Coach Jason Vaughn, Josiah (Jazz) Watts, and Pastor John Richards to join us via a Zoom session with over 2,500 registrants for “Students Unite! Justice for Ahmaud.” During her opening remarks, student leader Kayla, shared: “We would like to acknowledge that there is so much going on in the world, including the overwhelming amount of racialized violence that has been present throughout the history of this country, and every day since its founding. As we know, the systems that are present in America are designed to keep people of color, specifically Black and Brown people, in different forms of captivity, and they continue to try to do so. Throughout many lifetimes, we have watched Black people continue to fight for change, and for their freedom. We would like to acknowledge and honor the many many voices that are rising to the surface to help us get justice for the lives lost due to racism in this country. We are grateful for this opportunity to offer a platform and space specifically for the family and loved ones of Ahmaud Arbery.” In the ninety minutes that followed, our guests spoke with us about Ahmaud Arbery, their personal experiences in the aftermath of his murder, and what this tragic journey means for them and for all of us. They discussed their perspectives on systemic racism, policing, accountability, and justice in America – for Ahmaud and for all Black and Brown bodies. They also emphasized what
20 Brooklyn Friends School Journal Fall 2020
IMAGE ABOVE Poster design by Cyrah J, Class of 2021
each of us – young and old – can actively do to seek justice and create change rather than sitting idly by. In addition to concrete action steps to seek indictments for the men who killed Ahmaud, Jazz Watts emphasized that “We have to actually do the work of dismantling racism. We must know how to mobilize, organize, and work together to dismantle each of these existing systems.” Student leader Cyrah closed the event with the following sentiments: “We believe that students are the voice of change. Once we understand our history and educate ourselves we are unstoppable. There are many calls to action in the world right now and we are inspired by the potential to stay connected and organize together for justice. This is a time of reflection and holding our communities accountable. We will continue to build together across the country and continue to honor the humanity of Ahmaud and other Black and Brown people who have been killed at the hands of racial violence.” During a follow-up interview conducted by the Nobis Project, student leader Loane shared, “Humanizing Ahmaud was one of the most beautiful takeaways from the event. There was a lot of love that you could see between the iRunWithMaud Committee... They’re just a really nice group of people and having a discussion with them… I learned so much.” Kayla added, “That the conversation itself impacted people was really nice to see because it made it clear that we can use what we have in the midst of this pandemic, even when we can’t
