My name is Nishna Makala. I am a current LPS student and a POC.

Our school system is one of the best in New Jersey. In the past few weeks, our incredible LPS staff and faculty as well as our superintendent, Mr. Matthew Block, has addressed the recent events regarding racial disparity in America. As students, we have to be able to give our direct input about what we are experiencing and what can be improved upon in our district--without feeling pressured by peers to speak our minds. 

In Livingston Public Schools, we take an anonymous survey about our usage of drugs and consumption of alcohol. We can similarly address the gap between our Board of Education and the students to create a concrete plan to identify and report racism. We can create an annual anonymous survey in which students from grades 6th through 12th can share their racial experiences.

Such questions can include (but are not limited to):

-Do you believe the LPS district provides sufficient racial education?

a. Yes

b. No, it can be improved upon

c. No, but LPS should not provide racial education

d. Other  (please specify)

-If you needed to report a racially charged event, do you know where to go?

a. Yes

b. No

c. No, but I can easily find out

-Have you ever reported a racially charged event in LPS?

a. Yes

b. Yes, but its outcome did not seem fair.

c. No

-Have you witnessed a racially charged event in LPS?

a. Yes, but I did not report it

b. Yes, and I reported it

b. No

-Have you experienced a member of the LPS faculty/staff racially profiling you?

a. Yes, I reported it

b. Yes  

b. No

d. No, but I have seen someone

-How often do you see your peers use racial/derogatory slurs?

a. Never

b. Rare occurrence

c. Once a month

d. Once a week

e. Daily

-Did you ever use racial/derogatory slurs?

a. Never

b. Rare occurrence

c. Once a month

d. Once a week

e. Daily

When we share our racial experiences, albeit difficult, we can show our school district how to best deal with racial issues. They can be able to create concrete guidelines to call out and confront racism in our school system. They can also be able to evaluate the progress being made in our schools. As our community becomes more diverse, our need for serious, valuable discussions about race becomes more urgent.