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

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

be physically together. I think that one of the most impactful things was connecting to Ahmaud’s humanity, for sure.”

In the weeks that followed, collaborative organizing efforts continued to build momentum. On July 7th, the conversation continued with “Students Unite! We Continue the Fight!” and we welcomed back iRunWithMaud Committee founders Jazz Watts and Demetris Frazier, as well as attorney/writer Jim Barger, and actor/author/activist IronE Singleton. Our guests generously shared their strength, wisdom, courage, conviction, inspiration, spirit, humility and grace with students and school communities across the country.

 Young people are the spark! Young people are the catalysts. Young people are inspiring. 

— Josiah “Jazz” Watts at “Students Unite! We Continue the Fight” on July 7th, 2020.

Cyrah began with context about how “our team has been reflecting on how important it is that we continue the conversation because this must be an ongoing effort if we are to make change. We are all here to continue preserving the memories of those who have been murdered, to connect with each other and organizers in the movement who have been directly impacted, and to learn about ways we can get involved.” The conversation was then focused on four themes: the importance of history and where we come from, progress made as a result of the iRunWithMaud campaign, as well as each of our roles as activists, as student-leaders, and as educators. Meaningful context was shared about the collective history and legacy of Sapelo Island, including descendants Ahmaud, Jazz, and Demetris, and how this legacy informs the justice work of Sapelo descendants. After an acknowledgment of the successful iRunWithMaud organizing that resulted in three indictments for Ahmaud’s murder, discussion moved toward the importance of now repealing the Citizen’s Arrest Law, that allows people to take the law into their own hands. Demetris grounded the conversation about our roles as activists by reiterating, “The core values of the iRunWithMaud Committee are focus, solidarity, activism, endurance, and most of all, justice… this is a marathon and not a sprint… It’s a marathon that we have to continue to run to the fullest… and these are the values we live by in seeking justice for Ahmaud and for everyone.”

The charge from BFS student leaders Alani, Bebe, Cyrah, Evelyn, Kayla, and Loane was for educators to consider the ways in which adults can partner with and further support, youth. Educators are called to center youth voices without letting go of the responsibility to do one’s own work, raise one’s own consciousness, and work on the dismantling of systems influencing our lives. As Cyrah so clearly stated,

“We cannot emphasize enough how important it is that educators play a supportive role by creating space for us to use our voice, offering us a platform to connect and ask questions, and challenging adultism by partnering with us and believing in us. When educators truly listen to students, with humanity and compassion, we are then able to collaborate and create positive change. And we’re so thankful to the adults who have supported us in this way.”

As Head of School, Crissy Cáceres, reflected, “I am buoyed by what is possible when we ACT together with CONVICTION and with a belief in our ability to dismantle painful systems that have hurt and ended lives. We are showing what is possible. We are acting. We have much complex work ahead of us, and… it is worthy work. It is human work. It is love work. It is change work. It is critical work. It is life-saving work. Our time is here and now. Our value is in working together. Our work is about activism via, as was said multiple times, ‘TRUTH AND LOVE.’”

You may watch recordings of these events and find resources regarding race, racism, and racialized violence at the BFS website now. As Loane encourages us, “Be open to learning and growing. I already thought that I had a good understanding of social injustice and racism in America, but I’ve learned so, so much in recent weeks. To let yourself grow is really important.”

Visit the Students Unite! website for the latest updates at brooklynfriends.org/studentsunite. You can also explore the submissions to their recent “Art & Action for Ahmaud” call-to-action, in partnership with Youth Speak Justice and the iRunWithMaud Committee!

* As of August 28, 2020 the “iRunWithMaud Committee” officially announced the formation of their non-profit organization the 2:23 Foundation and will be known as the “2:23 Foundation” moving forward.