Race Discussions

We need to have difficult discussions.

The bilboard project was designed to get people talking. It has done just that. It does not stop there.

We need to put ourselves in uncomfortable situations. We need to have difficult conversations. We need to work to understand view points different from our own. Our goal is to make this happen in Okaloosa County.

Recently a book was pulled from a local high school because the "material did not align with the standards of the course." A representative from the school said this "The School District supports student-led diversity groups that provide channels for ongoing dialogue about any number of issues, including race. However, these are voluntary and NOT held during the school day."

If you think we should be having discussions about race and other difficult topics and want to get involved, we have a few suggestions.

Click here to read the full article

Click here to sign the petition

Click here to write or call your school board members

Click here to fund other diversity and inclusion projects locally

People ask why a billboard?

My answer is because REPRESENTATION MATTERS! When you see the town you live in, the school you attend, or the company you work for actively speak out on your behalf, you know you BELONG. Representation opens up the doors to conversations we did not know we needed to have. Art speaks louder than words. It conveys passion, desperation, and a hope for a better future.

The artwork was designed and created by young adults from Niceville, FL. You can read about them and their inspiration below.

Click here to view WEARTV3 article

Click here to view NWFdailynews article

Click here to view InWeekly article

We partnered with Rareform to turn our used BLM Billboard into a bag you can own! The billboard was sent to California, cleaned and washed, and then handcut with love before being crafted into a one of a kind product. Our first batch has 100 bags.

Each bag (Clarke Clutch) is lined with plush fleece to keep your items safe and secure. It has a metal zipper pull that measures 8 inches. The bag measures 6 inches high by 8.5 inches wide.

Get yours now for only $30. Free pickup available in Niceville or ships nationwide for only $10.

All proceeds fund Diversity and Inclusion projects in Okaloosa County.

Click on the dropbox for available products. Then send an email to projectimpossibleFL@gmail.com with the item number you want. Be sure to let me know if you are picking up in Niceville or if the item needs to be shipped. I will send an invoice right away.

Leslie - Niceville, FL "I think it is important to discuss topics of race, particularly in regards to the history of our country. White Fragility helps white people understand the issues that minorities face and what role we the majority culture plays in racism, whether overt or implied. Our young people should be able to have honest conversations about this so that true unity and change can come to our country. "

Kathy - Valparaiso, FL "This book should not be banned! It’s a great resource of a very current issue!!!! I was shocked to see it banned in Okaloosa."

Loren - Fort Walton Beach, FL "Remember I got called nig*er by a classmate in Fort Walton and he was suspended ONE day and came back to class and did it again and nobody cared!"

Elizabeth - Niceville, FL "Healing this country includes talking about the things you want to hide. Racism is real in the United States and we need to respond to that. "

Lindsey - Fort Walton Beach, FL "Supporting this teacher’s curriculum as an Okaloosa School District parent. More education = a brighter future and positive change in this community and country."

Danielle - Mary Esther, FL "I’m signing because I’ve had her class and because she challenged our morals and ethics Her class is essential to the development of future generations."

Brian - Niceville, FL "Niceville alum. Fascinating decision to choose to prevent this from being taught the week after National Banned Books week. A disgrace to Okaloosa County and censorship at its finest. Let them teach it."

Joanna - Shalimar, FL "So many kids at Choctaw are privileged and follow their parent’s beliefs. I have first hand witnessed kids at Choctaw being blatantly racist. Granted, I did graduate a couple years ago, but I can’t imagine the problem is gone."

Alexis - Crestview, FL "I go to choctaw and agree this should be discussed."

Sarah - Fort Walton Beach, FL "I am reading this book, and it’s educational and enlightening. I can only see young people becoming more conscious and inclusive citizens as a result of this book."

Erica - Eglin Air Force Base, FL "How can one be the change to fight against such a topic if they aren't given the tools to use to educate themselves about it. Change starts here and NOW. "

Casandra - Fort Walton Beach, FL "My kids are part of the okaloosa county school district & I support them learning about racism!"

Emma - Navarre, FL "I am a junior at Choctaw. Race should be discussed. It is still a social issue in our country and our next generation needs to be educated on the subject."

Emily - Burbank, CA "As a graduate of Choctaw, I value the lessons in empathy and diversity I gained, specifically through English curricula. I remember fondly reading literature like Zora Neale Thurston’s Their Eyes We’re Watching God and Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, which were pivotal to my journey in learning about and empathizing with a diversity of peoples and experiences. English teachers need to be afforded the academic freedom to prioritize readings that reflect shifting cultural norms and teach our children self-awareness and compassion, especially in light of parental resistance to confer these values. Banning books is never a good look for a school district."

Eliza - Niceville, FL "Schools should talk about racism, it’s something that minorities have to deal with on a day to day basis, people need to be educated on this, so we don’t keep making the same mistakes."

Emily - Fort Walton Beach, FL "Racism keeps dragging our country down like an anchor. It’s time to break that chain."

Fiona - Santa Rosa Beach, FL "it’s a privilege to learn about racism instead of having to experience"

Patricia - Valparaiso, FL "There is nothing threatening in this book. I read it. It is relevant to what we are seeing in the world around us that these young adults will be dealing with. No Censorship!!"

Amber - Niceville, FL "Very disappointed as a resident and parent in the Okaloosa County School District."

Sara - Crestview, FL "Racism needs to be a topic of education and informed discussion."

Willa - Niceville, FL "discussions about race need to be in our education. this hesitance to teach this in schools breeds hate and ignorance"

Mya - Niceville, FL "You are never going to fix this problem if you refuse to educate people on it. "

Brandi - Crestview, FL "Discussions about racism are absolutely imperative and necessary, particularly in Okaloosa county. I've heard stories about racist behavior in the schools from students and staff, as well as the racism online that comes from parents and the community."

Deonte - Niceville, FL "People should learn about the mistreatment of African Americans."

James - Niceville, FL "I have read the book and I encourage all Americans to read it."

Roger - Tucker, GA "We should not be banning books especially books that education young minds on social justice issues!!!! Ft. Walton Beach Class of 1988!!!!!"

Nancy - Fort Walton Beach, FL "Discussions about racism are important to changing attitudes. Don’t ban this book."

Kathryn - Fort Walton Beach, FL "Literature should not be banned. Freedom of speech. Racial change will only come through education. Have read the book and it is appropriate for teenagers and adults."

Nicole - Crestview, FL "It’s a shame that our kids can’t unlearn the ignorance that their parents have installed in them. I for one encourage my children to read every book about racism and other social injustices going on in this country. It’s time we stop racism and the only way to do that is by educating our kids and even the adults."

Margaret - Fort Walton Beach, FL "Because this Country is in a very fragile state and racism needs to be discussed between white and black."

Sam - Fort Walton Beach, FL "Of course, children should be encouraged to consider the ways that systemic racism continues to function socially, economically, culturally, and personally. This is no longer 1950. Our kids (and I have two in Florida schools) WANT to have these discussions. Plus THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC!"