Students from around the area are continuing their efforts to promote racial harmony. Over a hundred students from area high schools attended a second Student Youth Summit on Race at Ritenour High School Wednesday morning. Delaney Chapman, a junior at Francis Howell North, says youth a have a big influence when it comes to improving […]

Written by: News

2015/02/25 1:52 PM

Students from around the area are continuing their efforts to promote racial harmony.  Over a hundred students from area high schools attended a second Student Youth Summit on Race at Ritenour High School Wednesday morning.

Delaney Chapman, a junior at Francis Howell North, says youth a have a big influence when it comes to improving race relations.  “I think younger generations definitely have new, bigger ideas and because we have such a long time ahead us, it’s easier for us to implement those into the future. I think kids are the future.”

One of the areas of focus at the Summit was the Four Agreements of Courageous Conversations:

1.) Stay Engaged – be fully present and participating in the conversation.

2.) Speak the Truth – speak from a personal perspective, tell your own story and experiences, not others.

3.) Experience Discomfort – have the difficult conversation; don’t stop talking when it gets sensitive; be respectful, but be honest.

Expect and Accept Non-Closure – no racial issue will be resolved in one conversation, but it is the only place to start.