N-word Campaign Position Paper

The Current Condition.
Currently it seems that people at OHS have become numb and desensitized when they hear the N-word. It’s almost as if it is accepted because the use of the racial slur is so prevalent in popular culture. We don’t believe that all students use the word but we are positive that too few speak up when they are offended by it, whether directed at them or not. High school should provide a safe environment for young people to develop socially, by testing certain boundaries;
they learn to stand up for their beliefs in a community that will either support their decisions or educate them, if it is considered harmful to that person or community. It is the responsibility of
a balanced society to challenge that which appears unjust: Whether it is the youth, the adults or the establishment that demand action is irrelevant, for all have an equal stake in the same society.

Statement of Purpose:
The purpose for our campaign is to continue to make our school an environment where high
expectations are part of our culture. The Ossining school district does not simply provide each student with excellent opportunities for social and mental development on campus, but actively
pursues excellent outcomes for all students. It is with this understanding in mind that the students of Project Earthquake feel confident that they may raise such standards even higher by starting a campaign to eliminate the N-word in our school district once and for all. This is obviously an ambitious undertaking, nearly impossible to accomplish without the understanding and support of the Ossining community. We feel confident that with the assistance of the student body and their families along with the Board of Education, the
Superintendent of Schools, the administration, and the faculty at OHS, that Ossining High School can set an example for others to follow.

 The Campaign.
Our campaign is to raise the awareness in the school community by any means necessary. Our plan is to reach out to the community through the use of fliers, discussions, essay contests, student produced films and other relevant forms of media to promote a comprehensive understanding of our cause for the consideration of the Ossining School District. Ultimately the campaign will culminate in a presentation to the board of education demonstrating the will of our community to eliminate the N-word from the Ossining High School. Our hope is to receive further guidance from the Board of Education to establish a resolution that would be mutually beneficial to all involved.