Racism is learned behavior. As humans, we are not born inherently racist. Instead, we develop racial prejudice and apathy through influential social institutions. The media, our community, and, unfortunately, our schools, all contribute to negative misunderstandings of domestic and international race relations through a lack of anti-racist infrastructure. While it is a good first step to read diverse literature, learn about racial issues, and protest for equality, concrete change must be created at our most fundamental social institution: school. This is your opportunity to turn your advocacy into policy.

My name is Dhruv Kapadia (ig: dhruv_kapadia) and I am a graduating South Asian senior at HVCHS. Having been a student in HVRSD for the last 13 years, I am well aware of the frequent racism that occurs in our hallways. From racist slurs to passive exclusion from friend groups, racial tensions are a reality all students of color in HVRSD face on a daily basis. This uninformed environment has effects beyond the walls of our school. Growing up in an apathetic atmosphere naturally leaves students unprepared for being open-minded, empathetic, anti-racist citizens. Being involved in a plethora of diversity-related activities has allowed me to come up with three effective solutions meant to better race relations in HVRSD.

1) Hire a Race Relations Counselor

Students of color rarely feel comfortable reporting instances of racism. According to a study I conducted last spring, 65% of HVCHS students witnessed racial prejudice. Contrastingly, only 10% of students reported it to counseling or administrators. By hiring a counselor specialized in race relations, students of color will have an outlet to open up about instances of racial prejudice. Furthermore, it will allow administrators and district officials to have a better understanding of the nature, context, and extent of racism in our schools. 

2) Reform History and English Course Curricula

Curricula in HVRSD classes are largely eurocentric. With minimal emphasis on the struggles and successes of people of color across the globe, HVRSD students leave high school and enter the real world with a skewed understanding of racial dynamics. By teaching students in all grades about people of color, students will grow more empathetic and understanding towards the struggles faced by minorities today. This does not only mean adding more authors of color to summer reading, it means transforming the way elementary and middle school history is taught. By adding more units related to the international and domestic struggles and, more importantly, successes of people of color, HVRSD graduates will have a more empathetic and equitable understanding of contemporary race relations. 

3) Create a Half Year “Cultural Competency” High School Graduation Requirement

Students across New Jersey are mandated to take one year worth of a “visual art” and a “practical art.” While these classes are valuable, there is no cultural competency graduation requirement. This effectively allows closed-minded students to continue to have little exposure to worlds outside of our HV bubble. By instituting a half year mandatory graduation requirement focused around cultural competency, students will be exposed to different thought processes and content. New courses would not have to be created, as HVCHS already offers a plethora of dynamic social courses (“Sociology”, “Race, Class, Gender”, “World Religions”, “Holocaust and Genocide Studies”, etc.).

In the words of black revolutionary Malcolm X, “education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” Let’s do our part in preparing the next generation of HVRSD students for a better tomorrow. Thank you.

Sincerely, 

Dhruv Kapadia