Students at KA ‘Stand and Declare the Problem’
May 24, 2010 • Latasha Hoard
Filed under News, Student Life, Top Stories
“Stand and Declare the Problem” was the right name for a rally when Kayla Fox and Yusef Hood combined forces and realized a vision. “Stand and Declare the Problem” was a vision that came from hard work, volunteers, friends, and supporters, but mostly their dependence upon their faiths while also “engaging students in a semi-structured dialogue around a set of statements [that were] intended to provoke critical thinking and sharing.” “Stand and Declare the Problem” was considered a movement by its creators, which literally was the result of the reluctance to remain silent about recent shootings and bands of violence that occurred recently. During this time Kayla was fasting. Fasting is a lack of food or leisurely activity for a period of time which is usually joined with prayer.
During this time, planning for guest speakers and student readers were supplied by a number of reliable sources. Many of whom came from Kayla herself asking friends and family. Some were also supplied by Ms. Calloway and Ms Parker. Mr. Franklin, a youth outreach worker in Cabrini Green and a youth Pastor at Fellowship M.B. Church, Victoria Bradley and Eric Cater were student speakers and Stefon Harrison was a “mirror image of Chicago” now involved in the church, which Fox was convinced of to be a perfect reflection of the gang life.
The whole thing started when Kayla went to Ms. Parker and received her advice which made it possible for Kayla and Yusef to meet up together as a team. “For someone who got shot [in our own backyards, it pressed on him]…many people don’t know how crucial it…has to be for our peers [who stand against the oppressed]”. – Yusef Hood
This event attracted many different people than the typical crowds associated with rallying behind the eradication of violence. This brought upon the idea of major incentives. The three things they thought of: clearing of some detentions which drew a crowd of many students, then she felt compelled to offer free food which many participants noted, and then for the student seeking extra points in some classes, some teachers by request of Ms. Kirby offered extra credit. She was able to come by all of this through Ms. Parker who sent mass emails about the event to teachers, Ms. Kirby who helped to provide food, and Mr. Narain who only was concerned about the students getting detentions off staying in the gymnasium.
The event utilized small breakout sessions that were led by student leaders. In these sessions students were able to talk about pressing issues that dealt with a wide range of problems leading to violence such as sibling rivalry, sexual orientation, incarcerated, deceased, or absent parents, and various issues that affected students.
In the end many students felt empowered and got what they came for and more. Some students got issues out in the open and some even got some or all of their detentions erased. Kayla and Yusef left learning that they did have power and felt that the rally was a success. They also wanted to leave some words of wisdom for those who were not in attendance that day, and said, “You are not alone…we all must voice out problems to form the solution.” –Kayla and Yusef
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