Community & Solidarity

Background is filled with computer code. In the foreground a city landscape is laid on top. White text on a black background that reads, "As the world is crumbling, the best escape is to digital landscapes, custom worlds. People can connect at any time, and leave if there is too much pressure. Death is not a problem, just come back. Anything can be designed. We already have the technology. All we need to do is use it."

The text "Inside" with a drawing of a colored in figure with thought bubbles that read, "Your not good enough. You suck!!!" The text "Outside" with a drawing of a person with a smiling face that reads, "An example to cope is to write it down or try to talk to someone. If not distract yourself from negative thoughts and remember you are worth it be your best version of yourself. Around these drawings are more text that reads, "Your thoughts have a big impact on what you do and only you can fix it, support is until a certain extent." "You enjoy to positivity cope." "Distract yourself from negative thoughts." "When I go to work it has a positive effect on me because its a positive community and I think that working can bring ups and downs but you are having a positive impact on people. I play sports and when I play sports I try to get everyone engaged on to whats going on and talk to people to make them feel like there are people there for them and show them love because thats whats needed."

Collage of people protesting the anti-Asian racism with Covid-19 with the text that reads, "Fight The Virus Not the People."

A word cloud in the shape of a hand that highlights in red the words, "Stop Hate." A graph of data with the title: "Covid-19 Hate Crimes Worry: Do you worry about...experiencing hate crimes, harassment, and discrimination because of Covid-19?" Data shows different ethnicities of Asian people responding to the survey." The survey is from Asian American Voter Survey 2020.

Black power symbol in the center with a colored in Minneapolis skyline with text that reads, "No Matter The Color We Are Together."

Text that reads, "No matter the color we are together. What I mean by this is that no matter if you are Black, white, Mexican, etc. we will fight and stand with you through the progress that needs to happen. For example, during the George Floyd protest I saw when I was there all races came together to become one."

A collage of selfies and photos of Zukra with friends from high school.

Text that reads, "A time I felt at peace. Most of these pictures are from the beginning of the school year, the beginning of the school year was when I was the most happiest. Coming back from online school and seeing my friends was such a good thing because during online school I was super sad and unmotivated. Going to school was a change of pace and it honestly made me a better person. The first 4 months of school was the best months of my life and I only say that because in December I got covid and my life's been pretty mid."

Text that reads, "A time I felt supported was when I was dealing with my anxiety and panic attack in February. My friends were there for me whether I was at the hospital or home."

Text that reads, "One of them moved with me, so I had emotional support for whatever problem it was, ways she helped me was, having long conversations about nonsense and about anything that came to mind also them being there gave the comfortableness to speak my mind and emotions to get feedback and improve as a person and I think them being my support system. My friends being there actually helped me a lot and I recovered earlier."

Text that reads, "I appreciate them being there for me and supporting me because if it was not them I don't think I'll recover that easily. Dealing with anxiety and panic attacks is not easy so for those of y'all dealing with anxiety and panic attacks please find someone you trust to talk about it before it's too late. Sometimes knowing getting support from my friends is important especially when you are at your lowest."

A time I felt inspired at South... - Abdulwasa

My sophomore year of high school I was in an academic language development course and my experience changed my future. This first started back when I was in elementary. Just like any immigrant, I didn’t know any English. Like one of my mentors (aka Ms. Olague) shared with us her background story of how when she first came to the United States, her classmates and everybody thought she was deaf because she was still learning English. I appreciate a teacher sharing her personal story because it helped me reflect on how my story is similar and different. Like Ms. Olague, I experienced racism and colorism from my classmates as they would make fun of me. My mentors and my own personal experience as a student of color is what fuels me to become a supporter/educator of students in schools . So that I can inspire and uplift students like me and to fight racism and colorism.

The first time I experienced racism was back when I was in middle school. Just like any immigrant I didn’t know any English, so I was put in English Language Learner (ELL) classes. and one of the articles we read and watched the documentary together which was called Push Out. In the video there was this girl who was known for fighting. This has a deeper connection to me. I wanted to get respected like anyone. By any students at school, somehow the problems just kept coming like I had no way of escaping. One day, I was in Phy Ed (PE) and one of my classmates was making fun of me, and I ignored them because I wanted peace. My PE would also not care about the fact he's witnessing me being bullied. Till this day I get traumatized from being in a new environment.

Then comes high school where I lost my identity. One of the most regretful times in my life. I am so embarrassed remembering this right now. I lost myself trying to fit in a society that didn’t value me. Just like the reading that we read Making Dreams into Reality, where the author mentions a group of students or people in particular I quoted one of the deepest quotes I have ever read. “So if you really want to hurt me, talk bad about my language, culture, ethnicity and identity” on page 14. This is why I want to become an effective educator so I can at least prevent this situation from repeating to anyone. And this was the time that really inspired me to pursue education.

Due to my experiences throughout my education, I know I would be an amazing educator. I've been through the same things as some students might have experienced. And also I want to fulfill my duty and be a good person, like how these amazing teachers I have previously mentioned, were to me. and still are till this day. One way I have been helpful to people in my community is that I help them by showing up to their personal events, showing support, and even giving advice to them in a time of need. And for the Teachers like Ms. Jeannine, Ms. Olague, Ms. Lyons, these teachers helped so much. For example, Ms. Olague would check my grades. She would offer me writing support with Social studies, would teach me about the topic of racism and stories that I never had ever learnt in my English classes. This support and check-ins truly motivated and inspired me to become an amazing Educator. Not just that but to also become the best version of myself.

A student needs a person on their side 24/7 just as a therapist would be to their clients, nowadays they recommend students to speak with a counselor, which helps a bit but it doesn’t effectively help all the time. For example, everyone needs that one person or the group of people that they can go to with anything on their mind. That's how a great educator can be and fulfill all these simple things. An educator should help to solve today's society and the major problems in the school system.

Stories of Inspiration and SupportAnonymous (multiple)

00:00 / 01:14

Text that reads, "MYSS Project. By Amir."

Road sign that reads "help, support, advice, guidance, assistance" with text that reads, "A time I felt supported. A time I felt supported was in math class and there was a retake that I felt that I would no do good in."

Text that reads, "Math class. Back in winter there was a test that I did not do well in. I asked my teacher for help and then I understood the test better."

Text that reads, "Why this helped. I did better on the test on the retake and it got my grade up in math."