Following the 2019 5000 Outstanding Role Models Project Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Scholarship Breakfast held in Miami, attendees were seen gathering around one of the recipients, actor Danny Glover. But my attention was drawn to his companion, Bob Moses, who was barely recognizable to many. A prominent figure in civil rights and education circles, Moses was one of the key organizers of the historic “Freedom Summer” initiative that unfolded in Mississippi in 1964.
Dr. Marcus Bright
He and many others who came to work on the project showed great commitment and intention in their efforts to support voter registration in the often overlooked sharecropper population. This level of commitment serves as a valuable blueprint for connecting with another often overlooked population: high school students who will graduate from high school without graduating. They are often expelled from school early to avoid adversely affecting the school's graduation rate, kicked out of school at the end of school with little or no viable options other than the minimum wage legal labor market, or “punished” for illegal misconduct. Take “opportunities.” Underground economy.
As an educational community, we can apply some of the lessons from Freedom Summer and help guide these students on a successful path that includes earning industry-recognized certifications. Activists like Moses immersed themselves in the communities they sought to support. They worked on farms to sleep and talk to people. They wore work clothes. That was their way of not revealing their identities.
The risk for organizers and people who dared to try to register to vote was enormous. People can lose their jobs, their houses can be bombed, and they can be murdered just for trying to register to vote. A tragic example of this was the brutal murder of three Freedom Summer workers (Andrew Goodman, James Cheney, and Mickey Schwerner). It served as a poignant reminder of the dangerous situation facing those advocating for change within systems of oppression.
Despite these obstacles, organizers continued their efforts, emphasizing the importance of local elections and the impact of committees and sheriffs on the daily lives of Mississippians. People like Fannie Lou Hamer worked to energize people to overcome their fears and reach the ballot box as a way to bring about the change needed to improve the situation.
In a similar vein, engaging with high school students who may be hesitant about the prospect of not graduating with the rest of their peers this spring requires a compassionate and strategic approach. Just as activists provided support and sustenance to reluctant sharecroppers, mentors and educators can provide guidance, resources, and encouragement to students navigating an uncertain future.
By leveraging the spirit of empathy, patience, and intentional support that characterized voter registration efforts during Freedom Summer, educators and mentors can empower high school students who did not graduate to envision and pursue meaningful careers. . Targeted support and a focus on achievable milestones ensure that these students have the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to succeed in their chosen fields and contribute positively to their communities.
Practicing the intention to provide non-graduate students with meaningful opportunities to obtain advanced training and industry-recognized credentials is easier said than done. First, you need to be in a position to understand where your students are and have one-on-one or small group discussions about what viable options exist for these students.
This will require individuals in higher education or others knowledgeable about the institutions' opportunities and access points to work with high school principals, administrators, teachers, and counselors to disseminate information to students and parents to help guide those who are interested. do. Admission process.
All of this requires dedication, intention, and persistence similar to what was used to get people registered to vote in Mississippi. However, there is a key difference that registration is not required under threat of violence. These efforts to reach these overlooked student populations are difficult but necessary if we are to transform the school-to-prison pipeline into a pipeline of readiness, productivity, and prosperity.
As a collective community, we must make a new commitment to ensure that these students who graduate high school in 2024 have a “summer of freedom of opportunity.” Whether you graduate this spring or not, you are making a positive career decision.
Dr. Marcus Bright is an author and social impact expert.