Stolen Education: Parallels between new Orleans and Washington, DC - by Bria Justus

I attended an Alternative Break panel discussion, Stolen Education: Parallels between new Orleans and Washington, DC. The panel was put on by an Alternative Break that traveled to New Orleans for spring break to student the education system in New Orleans and how it has dramatically changed since Hurricane Katrina. The panel included professionals in the world of education along with a current student from New Orleans who has experience with charter schools. It was a lively panel discussion about the inequalities embedded in the education system, specifically how the current education is set up at a disadvantage to youth of color. There were four panelists, two with direct experience in education in New Orleans post Katrina, one teacher from a charter school in Washington, DC and an education professional who had experience in both DC and New Orleans.The moderator encouraged all the participants to speak to what they believed the parallels were between Washington, DC and New Orleans in terms of education and how it influences the success of students.

The most meaningful aspect of the panel was to hear from the student, Larry Brown, who was currently attending a charter school in New Orleans. He spoke to his experience navigating the school system after Hurricane Katrina and the difficulties he faced. Larry represented APEX Youth Center, a nonprofit which aims to provide after school services for youth in New Orleans who have been unfairly abused by the complication education system. Some of their services include mentoring, homework help or classes in creative fields that often are taught during the school day.

The panel discussion relates directly to the class as it was an advocacy event, encouraging college students to think more critically about educational policies and the role charter schools have to furthering or intervening in inequality. The panelists were all closely involved in the public school or charter school sector and spoke about their different experiences. While the panel did not have a call to action, it simply served as a means to encourage students to question their own education and begin to understand how inequitable education structures are.

The panel also served as an advocacy event for Alternative Break, an AU program that provides student-led service-learning programs during winter, spring and summer break. All Alternative Breaks focus on a social justice issue and travel to an area where that issue is present in order to further engage and understand the issue. The panel gave audience members a chance to understand what an Alternative Break may look like and encourage them to engage in an Alternative Break themselves.

For the class, here is a link to the Alternative Break website as it is a great way to continue what we are learning in class. It is also a great way to get involved on campus and gain real experience doing grassroots advocacy in communities.

Website: http://www.american.edu/ocl/volunteer/Alternative-Breaks-Homepage.cfm