June 23, 2020
Student-led Social Consciousness Club at Mounds Park Academy has focused on resources for education and personal actions. They are currently reading “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi, and many of our students have also read ”Just Mercy“ by Bryan Stevenson, “ Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, and “ The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander. They also recommend to watch the Netflix documentary ”13th” for those interested in understanding the evolution of systemic racism in our country.
Some organizations that they are recommending support for right now are the Black Visions Collective, which is Minnesota based, The Marshall Project, Campaign Zero, and Black Futures Lab.
Students are emphasizing the need to exercise our democratic rights come November. The vote will drive change. In our immediate community, 63% of eligible voters in the neighborhoods surrounding MPA voted in the last election, 10 points below the state average. This turnout makes is particularly important to mobilize our community to vote, so we are hoping to sponsor a lit drop campaign where we distribute voter registration and vote by mail request materials on doorsteps. MPA students are encouraging anyone who interested in expanding voting rights to do is request a vote by mail ballot to ensure their vote is counted and they can participate safely during this pandemic. For students who are not yet eligible to vote, they encourage them to serve as an election judge since there is a fear that there will be a shortage.
