Making A Change

HOPE TORRES, Staff Writer

Change is happening all around us, whether we fail to see it or not things are changing for the better. NBTHS just started a new program with the intention of wanting to hear your stories with microaggression. A microaggression is a statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group such as a racial or ethnic minority. These groups of students have been working with Mr. Kneller to make the school a better and safe place for the students and teachers with the hope of becoming more educated.

The sole purpose of this program is to spread awareness to schools around New Jersey to show that people are here for you and you can have a safe space. The expectation is to let students know they have a voice that should be heard. I spoke to one of our fellow sophomores Jaylnn Lewter who helped start this program with Mr. Kneller and I asked her “How would you like to move forward with this program as far as spreading more awareness?” and she told me “I'd like to first spread awareness about microaggression to schools in New Jersey before senior year so I can move forward and possibly even go to different states to show that no one should feel uncomfortable and that they should talk about their experiences and pass it along.”

Words have consequences and that may bother someone even though what you say may not seem bad to you it could affect the person you say it to and some phrases are showing microaggression towards someone. I do encourage you to share your stories and speak out. It's a great way to be heard and stop the spread of microaggression.

If you would like to talk about your experiences or have any questions you can contact the following through instagram:

Seniors:

• Anthony partazana

  • @antpartazana

• Sarah Williams

  • @sarahgracewillz

• Denton Moreland

  • @as1n0_

• Stephanie Miranda

  • @stephanie_miran

Juniors:

• Javian Rojas

  • @javiann_

• Mackenzy Grant

  • @mackenzygrant

Sophomores:

• Andrew Koprowski

  • @andrewkoprowski_

• Jalynn Lewter

  • @the_chaotic_pansexual_

Freshman:

• Mahad Elamin

  • @mahad.elamin

• Anne Chedid

  • @annechedid

The group instagram: @nbthsstudentsresources

Staff contacts:

Mr.Kneller

• mkneller@nbthschools.org

Mr.Zielinski

• mzielinski@nbths.org

Ms.Morales

• ymorales@nbths.org