On April 8 the Glenbard Parent Series hosted spoken word poet Jonathan Mendosa and human rights activist Qasim Rashid at a program titled “Roundtable for Social Justice”.
Qasim Rashid is an author, human rights lawyer focused on women’s rights, religious freedom, and children’s advocacy, and a graduate of Glenbard South High School. Mr. Rashid is regularly published in national and international media outlets including TIME, and the Washington Post and he has been interviewed at FOX News, CNN, NBC, and CBS. Rashid is the author of four books including “Talk to Me :Changing the Narrative on Race, Religion, and Education” and his debut picture book “Hannah and the Ramadan Gift,” which celebrates good deeds during the month of Ramadan, out April 6, 2021. Qasim, his wife, Ayesha, and their three children reside in Virginia.
Scott Meyers and Shannon McMullen Glenbard North English teachers showcased several of their English 3 students as a highlight of the event. Ms. McMulen shared the following takeaway:
Mendoza and Rashid focused their conversation around the idea that all people have voices that they can raise in the fight for social justice: Anyone who wants to improve their communities needs to spend time reflecting on their own story first. Asking "who am I, where do I come from, and what have I been through?" leads us to understanding how we can contribute to the causes we care about. Remember that no one does anything alone. Seek out collaborators and a team of supporters to maximize the impact of the work! Also remember to spend time with loved ones and engage in enjoyable activities to remain energized for the work. Change is accomplished with narrow, focused goals. No person or group of people can ever, solve all the world's problems, but with directed, deliberate effort, a solution to one problem that helps a world of people is achievable! Use the acronym RISE to guide activism and social change work, and the process of allyship:
R = re-educate yourself; become an expert on the subject causes you care about, reading and learning anything you can about the issue. Engage with experts on the issue and network with them to build connections.
I = Identify implicit biases: Reflect on where your own biases lie, what privileges you have, and how these biases / privileges might challenge you in your work. Brainstorm solutions to working through these biases.
S = Serve and support: target aspects of your community where you can provide support to others and seek out support from those
E = Elevate: learn to "pass the mic;" instead of becoming "a voice for the voiceless," use the platform you build and the privilege you have to let marginalized communities speak for themselves
Ultimately, Mendoza and Rashid emphasized that anyone seeking positive change in the world--but especially young people--need to have faith in themselves and believe they are capable. All voices have inherent worth.
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