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Demand that Black Lives Matter

By Mehki Rippey, HMHS Class of 2021

Speech delivered at the Black Lives Matter rally at Haddonfield Memorial High School – June 24, 2020

During high school we’re told that we’re given the tools to explore the world, yet the main place we interact with other schools is through competition. Instead of being connected with other students in our area, we’re told to despise them. The antagonization of “other” that builds throughout high school acts as the foundation for the racism and xenophobia that has ravaged throughout this country for over 400 years. Students, we need to stop this NOW.

I ask for three things that we can do to protect Black and Brown lives.

One, don’t gaslight me because of my experiences. Don’t tell me that I heard the word wrong. Don’t tell me that I’m overeating and that I’m bringing race into everything. Because yes, I am gonna keep bringing it up because choosing not to see color is not enough. Don’t tell me that I’m being too political because my people are dying. Denying my experiences doesn’t take away the pain or the anger. Rather than fighting it, just listen.

Second, I encourage everyone to educate themselves and others. Open yourself to conversation. Listening to each other is how we learn more about the world around us. Everyone has their own story to bring to the table, and instead of shutting them down we must amplify them. We must be the voice for the voiceless.

Lastly, we need to hold each other accountable. Condemning racism and biases starts HERE. We are the future entrepreneurs, lawyers, doctors, and politicians. If we choose not to challenge our peers, racism will continue to seep into every aspect of our lives. We must be the generation that refuses to shape the world on racist ideologies.There is NO room for racism in our future. There are no exceptions.

In reality, the world is much bigger than the bubble our high school puts us in. As we get thrust into the real world, rather than becoming divided, we must stand together to demand that Black Lives Matter.