11th Graders ‘Take On’ the South
The class of ’22 gathers at Brandeis-Bardin Campus in Simi Valley.
Every year in April, the junior class travels to the South to learn about the Civil Rights Movement. With the pandemic and travel restrictions in place, our class was unable to partake in this trip. However, we did end up doing a trip (to Santa Monica and Simi Valley), and not only was it educational, but also a memorable bonding experience.
When the junior class arrived in Santa Monica, the group huddled up on the beach sidewalk. We began the day with a tour around Belmar Park, learning the history of Santa Monica. Dispersing for lunch, friends connected as we ate in the mall. As the day came to an end, we sat on picnic blankets and towels on the cold sand, listening to a poem by Nathalie Patterson and jotting down our own significant poems and thoughts.
Two days later, we found ourselves at the Brandeis-Bardin Campus. Avram, from organization Tzedec America, gave the okay to go, and swarms of students ran to the tables, curious if they would be wearing a green or red wristband, oblivious to what they signified. The sounds of shoes skidding the dirt path; slight yells and screams; masked faces. It was chaotic. No one knew which color wrist band was in the box, and truthfully no one knew what was happening. Turns out this was a redlining* activity. Students were told to “build the prettiest house” with the materials we had. Half of the grade was in green wristbands, living as White Americans with a stable income, while the other half wore red wristbands, living in poverty with financial struggles and facing segregation as Black Americans.
Later that day, we reunited once again around the campfire. Dr. Spiegel and Mr. Stein’s graceful singing voices; the crackling of the fire; mumbling of students; stars slowly beginning to appear. We sang happy 73rd birthday to Israel in unity. For the first time ever, we (new 11th graders) were able to connect with our fellow classmates and begin to feel part of the de Toledo community.
*Redlining, as defined by Oxford dictionary: refuse (a loan or insurance) to someone because they live in an area deemed to be a poor financial risk.
My name is Samara Freedman, and I'm a new junior at de Toledo High School. I enjoy writing, particularly about current events and mental and physical health....
My name is Payton Ozar, and I am a junior, new to de Toledo High School. I have always had a strong passion for writing, especially about current events,...
