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Leah Ellis
Leah Ellis
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@Check_Representation
@Check_Representation
Hi! My name is Leah Ellis, I'm a junior and I'm the creator of Check Representation.
Hi! My name is Leah Ellis, I'm a junior and I'm the creator of Check Representation.
I created Check Representation because I believe there is not enough racial representation in modern education. I am an African American, and growing up, I didn't know much about my American culture. In sophmore year when I took U.S History, I learned about the slave trade and it seemed like the only things I learned about my culture was slavery, and a couple of icons like Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King Jr. In my opinion, that is an injustice to the youth of America. Learning about just slavery gives a nuance to students that Black individuals had and may still have less worth than others. Along with Native American history, although it is better in coverage, it also gives the assumption that all the Indigenous people have died or disappeared which is not the case in the slightest. In addition to the syllabus that is presented, we should learn about events that happened in POC history, or even hear from the youth in what they think should be added. Holliston is a homogeneous community that is changing and progressing, and we should embrace that. To be our future, we should encourage inclusivity in our youth starting with education. So shouldn't the youth of Holliston as a start, learn about the many different races of America?
Racial Discrimination and Representation inside Education
Racial Discrimination and Representation inside Education
This presentation (below) is about the origin of Social Studies in education, why there is white washed media, and some examples of white washed media that can still be found in modern textbooks today. White washing is "to gloss over or cover up vices, crimes or scandals or to exonerate by means of a perfunctory investigation or through biased presentation of data." ("White Washing," [Encyclopedia Britannica 2003]). I chose to cover this issue because I believe that blind patriotism is dangerous and that is the cause of the increase in hate crimes against People of Color, since 2014. As well as the increase of the of lynchings. I believe people shouldn't die because of their skin color and although that's a broad common belief, I believe that a change in education, to make it more diverse and truthful might change our future for the better.
This is a button to go to the presentation!!
My Community Needs Pitch!
My Community Needs Pitch!
Why I made this project!!
The name of my project is called Check Representation. I am the only group member and my name is Leah Ellis. I chose to work alone because I am very passionate about racial representation in education. I feel as my current knowledge, experience and talents will not only bring great results, but also share the amazing stories of people of color in history. I chose the name Check Representation because it reminds me of checking off something on a list as being done. Meaning that representation will no longer be a problem.
The Project Plan
The Project Plan
Check Representation is meant to change the syllabus of most average history classes to have mandatory POC inclusion and a revision of the current syllabus around African American experiences in America. The second part of my project is raising awareness of hate to POC within America. Finally, my last part is raising money for poorer or less fortunate schools.
Step one: Talking to all the history teachers in Holliston high, and reviewing the syllabus.
Step two: Get copies of the syllabus.
Step three: Collaborate with the teachers to see what topics could be added or taken off. See if there's projects that could be made or edited. Look at sources. And finally make a general outline of what the syllabus could be.
Step four: Make an agreement.
Step five: Partner with Youth Philanthropists.
Step six: Try to get neighboring schools to do the same by changing syllabus.
Step seven: Make noise! Get the word out. Start a facebook, a website, make posters!
Step eight: Start fundraiser. Which I’m hoping could be a concert/open mic!
Step nine: Partner with Mr. Calais’ class/band. Or any musicians.
Step ten: Use the money to donate to less fortunate schools.
-By the end of this class-
Community Needs
Community Needs
With Check Representation, the problem of POC inclusion in curriculum will be addressed with this project because changing the syllabus will inform more of our youth. What I’ve learned is that children reflect their parents. With teaching the experiences and non-white washed history, the future generations will recognize their privilege and will be more empathetic. With less ignorance, there’s less hate and I’ve realized that more hate groups have been prominent, the closest being Act For America in Hopkington which is openly Anti-Muslim. Hopefully with the syllabus revision, our children can grow to reject hate and love everyone the same.
Partnerships
Partnerships
The organization I chose to partner with to help implement my project is Youth Philanthropy. I chose this organization because I feel as this organization’s morals and values correlate with my own and this project’s. Youth Philanthropy first started in 1997 and has been growing for the last 20 years. It’s purpose is to empower and educate local youth to become the next generation of philanthropists. Which is exactly what Check Representation needs.
Youth Philanthropy
info@foundationformetrowest.org - jwilliams@foundationformetrowest.org
Along with Youth Philanthropy I have found open arms to my project. Not only have I had a lot of help from Diverse Holliston, I've gotten help from the Social Studies Department, I've gotten help from the assistant superintendent, Dr. Botelho. I've gotten a lot of help from Mr. Shaun Rooney, a history teacher in Holliston High School as well as Mrs. Jennifer Lasher, the head of the english department. Not to forget Mrs. Kaitlin Mills, my service learning teacher for providing me with a lot of contacts. I made a google form that the entire Social Studies department took to get rounded opinions. It's helped me email many people like Diverse Holliston and Howie Hawkins, the candidate for the Green Party.
The Project Goals
The Project Goals
The goals of Check Representation are:
-To change the syllabus
-To educate youth
-To reduce hate to POC
-To reduce racism or prejudice
-To increase allies
-For POC voices to be heard
-For a start of a conversation
-For less fortunate schools to be helped
-For people to care and not settle
The Budget Goals
The Budget Goals
For now, my goal is to reach $1,000. To give to one less fortunate school which I will look into. My funding will come from my fundraiser, of either a music concert or an open mic.
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