Growing up a teenager of color, I’ve witnessed first hand the inequities of our educational system. Schools within communities of predominantly people of color have low funding, are disadvantaged, and have limited educational resources like the one I was born and raised in. Meanwhile, schools within communities of white people have abundant resources, more opportunities, and help future generations thrive and succeed. For example, in my schooling experience, several of my former peers performed under their required level. However, transferring to a school within a predominantly white area there were educational opportunities, higher funding, and in and out of school security within the environment.

Every child deserves an equal opportunity in their educational experience to set their life for success regardless of socioeconomic backgrounds or racial backgrounds. Every day of my life I encounter drop outs, uneducated, unemployed, unmotivated, and discouraged people of color within my community while in my school community there are wealthy, educated, and successful people. We must advocate for our children of color and implement policies that ensure educational equality for all.

All students are capable of success and with the proper guidance, funding, and treatment, all students will be able to reach their full potential. Join me in urging policymakers, educational boards, and community leaders to prioritize educational equality and act now to end the systemic mistreatment people of color endure in their education. Sign this petition and stand with me in the fight for equal rights in education for people of color. Your voice matters and together we can make a change.