Take action.
Here are some ways you can put your knowledge to good use.
Artivism
One of the ways that people are putting their skills and passion about this issue to work is through artivism. At the crossroads of art and activism, this term describes the act of creating to further a cause or make change, whether that means raising funds or simply spreading awareness. You don’t have to be any sort of professional artist to participate in this; all you need is your motivation to help. This workshop from the singer-songwriter Kay Marion breaks the concept down into a series of steps to help you get started on your activism journey!
Click on the video to the right to begin.
Now that you’ve watched the Artivism video, share your work with us!
We can’t wait to see your work and share it on our website and/or social media!
Donations
The Dignity In Schools Campaign is an organization that’s working to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline. Their mission is to stop the criminalization of youth in schools under zero-tolerance policies, and to create a future where schools become a place of healing. You can learn more about how they’re working towards this future at their website, dignityinschools.org.
Another organization you can contribute to, doing work here in the Massachusetts area, is Citizens for Juvenile Justice. CfJJ has done a detailed report on the state of school policing in Massachusetts, which you can read at their organization’s website, cfjj.org. They are spreading awareness about the effects of police officers in schools, and the evidence that shows how they single out Black and brown students and students with disabilities.
Write to policymakers
Another way you can make change is by contacting the elected officials and legislators in your area. Paying attention to issues their constituents care about is part of the job description, and writing to them will let them know that school policing is important to people in the area they represent! You can send letters to elected officials on the federal level (e.g. senators, house representatives) but it’s also recommended to write to people on the state or local level of government to let them know your thoughts.