Newmarket
October 02, 2008 10:39 PM
Teresa Latchford
He was playing a game of soccer when he was called the N-word.
A hush came over the cafeteria at the kickoff of the school’s seventh annual Walk for Equity as Newmarket High School student Orion Edwards shared his experience as the victim of racism.
He stood in front of 350 peers explained how his immediate reaction to the racial slur led him to a physical altercation.
“I knew it was wrong and that I shouldn’t have dealt with it that way,” Mr. Edwards said. “I should have ignored it and told a teacher instead.”
Nine other students joined him on stage to share their tales, covering sexism, ageism, appearance, homophobia and cyber-bullying. Each, in turn, explained how he reacted to the situation and how it could have been dealt with in a more positive manner.
“We want to let people know it still happens,” he explained. “We want people to know what to do and how to cope if it happens to them.”
The event addresses the issue of discrimination in the school and community, teacher Susan Mather explained.
“We know some students are victims of bullying, others face discrimination due to personal challenges or beliefs,” she said. “Some members or groups within our community suffer discrimination for many reasons.”
Students participated in the assembly, then headed outside to walk five kilometres around the community, carrying large, colourful signs made of wood and bristol board, displaying messages supporting equity.
It’s a big deal for students, especially for a group this large to gather together and stand up for human rights and equity for all, Mrs. Mather explained.
The walk has become a tradition in the school as students and club members have passed the enthusiasm on to the next group for the past seven years.
The walk was organized by the high school’s Equity Club with help from teacher advisors Mrs. Mather and Lindsay Soberano-Wilson and principal Kelly Redpath.
“We want people to face the situation, not turn away,” club president Rachel Cheung said.
“We want people to be able to deal with it better and to stand for equity.”
It is important for Miss Cheung and her fellow students to speak up and speak out to help find a solution to the difficulties students and others in the community face when it comes to equity issues, she said.
If the issues are not out in the open, there will be a lack of discussion to find a solution.
“We hope we can inform people it still happens and that it can lead to a positive outcome if dealt with in the right manner,” Mrs. Mather said.