Rationale
Although William C. Overfelt High School is located in the affluent Silicon Valley, 89% of its 1,500 students qualify for free or reduced lunch. 99% of the school consists of students of color and the Hispanic population is the majority ethnic group. The school is located in a segregated neighborhood known by locals as the “Eastside” or formally as East San Jose. The community the school serves faces a tremendous amount of poverty and high crime rates. The area is marred with violence, motor vehicle thefts, and property crimes. Due to the presence of street gangs, the city of San Jose labels the area as a gang hot spot. In spite of these circumstances, the area is also known for its spirit of activism, its cultural pride, and a strong sense of community. Many past and present community activists call the Eastside home. Former residents include Cesar Chavez and campesinos (farm workers). Today, many community organizers and members are fighting for affordable housing, living wages, and criminal justice reform.
My students often feel judged, misunderstood, and policed by society. They often wonder why watchful and leery police officers stop them on their way to school. They ask me why black and brown bodies are continually brutalized by cops, and why black and brown kids are most likely to drop out and go prison. They ask why many young people in their neighborhood seem to get into trouble with the authorities. My students are aware that racism and classism prevent people of color from thriving in this country, yet they have not had the opportunity to understand how these ideologies have permeated our institutions and have fueled policies that criminalize young people of color. Sometimes, they even catch themselves believing and labeling their peers with the delinquent, thug, and gang-banger tropes. In the midst of their daily struggles, sometimes students fail to recognize their own strength and resilience. Many students care for siblings after school, hold a job (or two) to support their families, or endure day-to-day violence. While they support each other, they can also forget their individual and collective power. This unit will validate and remind students that their engagement in their community can yield transformative and lasting changes.
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