Racism within the bubble

Northview students open up important conversations about systemic racism and take to the streets.

Members of the Northview community organize and join #BLM protests.

Photo by Anoushka Misra

Sofia Mang, Staff Writer and Bedansh Pandey, News Editor

In 2016, The Messenger wrote about the rising momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement in opposition to unjustifiable police brutality against Black people. Nearly four years later, very little has changed. The death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and others opened conversations about systemic racism in every corner of the country, including the Johns Creek community. 

It is often said that living in Johns Creek is similar to living in a bubble because the community is shrouded in affluence; one can never truly experience the real world and its issues so long as one remains confined within the said bubble.  Ishani Datta, a senior at Northview and outspoken member of the Black History Club, explains that the bubble is a mere mirage and that racism is just as rooted in the Johns Creek community as anywhere else. 

“There’s a bunch of issues. I hate to say it, but regardless of how diverse Northview is, everybody does have their own sort of mindset towards different groups, and I feel like teachers and administrators should call it out more,” Datta said. “I feel like Northview could do better at just holding each other accountable and creating a safe space. It’s easy to say it, but then to actually create that environment is a different thing.”

Though she believes that using Instagram posts and other social media as a means of creating that inclusive environment is a start in spreading awareness for systemic racism, Datta notes that simply lauding social media activism and then wiping one’s hands clean as if the issue has been solved is not enough. She believes that people must start to have tough conversations about racism with their loved ones and confront racist acts head-on.

“Putting yourself in any type of confrontational situation, it’s not for everyone,” Datta said. “If you’re genuinely uncomfortable speaking out about these things, find someone you’re close to or share how you feel with someone who you know can make a difference.”

However, opening up conversations and, potentially, debating about racism poses an ethical dilemma: it suggests that there is a valid argument against racism that is worth hearing.  Tania Pope, an AP English Language and Composition teacher as well as the sponsor for the Black History Club, holds that these are still necessary conversations and that not doing so only reinforces deeply-held racist attitudes. Pope believes that the Black History Club will play an important role in facilitating these conversations. 

“For so long, as Black students at Northview, there’s always been a feeling that we’ve had to placate students of other skin colors and make everyone feel comfortable about uncomfortable discussions about race. The Black students are sort of feeling like: ‘Why is it that we have to soften our rhetoric or be careful about the way that we address things?’”, Pope said. “They’ve always asked themselves ‘Am I truly safe?’ Do I really feel comfortable with who I am? And this year, they want to feel comfortable with who they are, and if it takes an uncomfortable conversation, then be it. They’re prepared for that uncomfortable discussion.” 

But aside from the Black History Club, Pope also discussed the Social Justice Leadership Committee, which is an initiative pioneered by Northview High School to identify, discuss, and eradicate any walls that have marginalized certain social groups (e.g. dress codes largely constricting girls from dressing freely). One of the major initiatives of the Social Justice Leadership Committee is to train teachers on how to handle a situation in which a racist issue arises. 

“As teachers, we need to be trained on how to handle these conversations,” Pope said. “We have to make sure that there aren’t ad hominem attacks, personal attacks, that we are aware when that is happening and we don’t allow for language that crosses a line. We have to establish a firm discussion protocol from the beginning.” 

Pope explains that one of the reasons teachers, much of the time, are unable to speak against racism within the classroom simply because they do not know how to. These are all facets and growing concerns that staff and administration have as students themselves become more involved in activism. Olivia Kapwadi, 2019-2020 President of Black History Club, has witnessed many students’ indifference to social issues turn into a fiery passion for justice.  

“I saw a lot of people talk about what they wanted to change next year, and how they wanted to start new organizations and really just get involved so I saw, not even just me, but all around Northview, I saw a lot of speaking out,” Kapwadi said.  

Students and parents become more aware of systemic racism and march for change.

Photos by Anoushka Misra.

Compared to a few years ago, Kapwadi firmly believes that more students are wanting to create change and get involved in their communities. With even the most overt acts of racism running rampant like a pandemic, she says, the events from the summer have created a current of student activism that is churning within the very borders of Johns Creek. 

“When people are fed up, that’s when there’s like a huge surge of people wanting to participate and be active,” Kapwadi said. 

Kapwadi attributes this to the similarity between student activism and other aspects of teen culture. Teens see their friends speaking out on social media and feel an urge to do the same. The way that it spread like wildfire due to students being enlightened by their peers caused a much deeper imprint on society than may have been expected. They realized that they should be angrier and use their voice as the next generation to fix the wrongdoings from the past.  Principal Brian Downey recognized this change in his students at Northview and how they were learning to use their voices. 

“I applaud every kid who is finding their voice and being passionate about something and then using that voice. That student activism and participating in these civic events are what we should be all about not only as a school but as a community and country,” Brian Downey said. “And we can speak up and share what we believe in, in hopes to then affect a change.”  

 Downey believes that student activism is crucial and that being educated on these topics is a skill that schools should teach students. He views students communicating their opinions to create change in a positive way. Downey thinks that student activism is a fundamental step for living in a democratic society. 

 “I think that [technology and social media] has allowed for you guys to use it as much more powerful in the voice that you have because you have an audience,” Downey said. “It seems that you guys are facing these more difficult topics at a younger age then I had to growing up.”

Comparing his own high school days to current society, Downey notes that there is a huge difference in how teenagers address social issues. In the past, there was the ongoing issue of AIDS and racism, and a sparse amount of social justice came with it. With this day and age though, it’s easier to tackle topics head-on. With technology at our disposal, teenagers are able to be more active politically and socially. 

“On top of everything else you guys are just smarter nowadays, you are just better students, you have a better work ethic, you guys are more in tune,” Downey said. 

However, Downey isn’t the only one who has noticed the impact and change of student activism. Angela Kausche, State Representative of Georgia’s House District 50, also acknowledged how students affect the government. 

“I think [student activism] is absolutely crucial.” Angela Kausche said. “What we decide in the Georgia State Legislators affects future states, and I think that it is important to be a part of this discussion and make sure your voice is heard.” 

Growing up in Germany, Kausche was very politically inclined due to the topics of national and international government there. This created her mindset of politics heavily affecting daily life, emphasizing its importance. She encourages young people to get involved with the government, in order to address the issues that are about them. 

“In five to ten years, you guys have to live with what we decide,” Kausche said. “These are very, very crucial issues and it is absolutely critical to get your voice heard.” 

With concerns like climate change and college at hand, which mostly affect teenagers and young adults, Kausche urges those young people to become more politically aware. If there is a topic that someone wants to create change in, Kausche explains that they should absolutely do so. 

“Just find that topic where you want to be involved,” Kausche said. “Whatever it is, try to advocate for that issue you feel most passionately about.” 

Students are not able to have positions in government, but being a part of activism movements provides a way for them to get involved in certain topics. Keeping up with local and state government, participating in Justice city councils, and even just following politics overall, are ways that Kausche suggests students become educated and take action. She wants students to be able to take their passion and let it blossom into change for the world. 

Ultimately, though, the scope of student activism narrows down to what one’s fundamental belief is versus what the community’s status quo is. If the two are incompatible, the friction will light a flame of desire for justice and equality as the nation has seen now. For Sir Price II, this year’s President of the Black History Club,  this incompatibility is not just a passing event. Price has poured hours upon hours researching and organizing in the effort against systemic racism. 

“My drive for justice inspired me to participated in several Black Lives Matter peaceful protests all over the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, in addition to planning my own peaceful protest in Johns Creek,” Price said. “Additionally, I have taken it upon myself to continuously read and educate myself about current events and social unrest issues. Further, I have continuously shared a lot of information with my peers on all of my social media platforms.” 

To Price, his most important goal is not to inform himself or satiate his own desire for good. To him, just like other student activists, it’s his message to defy the cultural norm of simply accepting the situation as it is and not call for change. 

“I understand that many students grow up sharing the same political views as their parents, whether those views be racist or not,” Price said. “But we have to dare to see and respect the differences in others and empathize with others. Dare to be different.”