VAPA is an arts school in Los Angeles. As students, we are unhappy with how the teaching staff and administration have been treating LGBTQ+ students, students of color, women, and students with mental disabilities or illnesses. The hateful slurs, microaggressions, and grading differences have to stop. Minorities have to deal with oppression every day of our lives, school should be a safe haven, but it is far from that. As a new student, I have only been here mere months yet have already had racist encounters with teachers. Because of my skin color, I have been constantly treated differently. My mental health has severely fallen in an effort to combat the bigotry I have been facing- and all of this doesn't just apply to me. LGBTQ+ students, POC students, and anyone in a position of oppression have been mistreated in VAPA due to adults' ignorance in their positions of power. Minorities have to deal with oppression every day of our life, we should be going to school to escape that, but this school feels far from a safe sanctuary.

  Something needs to change. Our teachers need to be taught better on how to respect and treat their students. Our teachers should be people here for students with support, not people working against us due to their inability to understand minority issues. The solution? We need racial/minority sensitivity training. And change starts with you. Signing this petition means you can help the minority students at VAPA feel safer and welcomed at our school. We know this bigotry comes from ignorance, and no harm is intended, but we HAVE been harmed in the process. Signing this petition can also inspire change in not just our school but LAUSD schools everywhere.

Parents and Teachers at VAPA, or anywhere- be vocal about your support so that your students and children can feel safer. And to those in a position of privilege, use your privilege to speak up for those you love- your voice is powerful. Take 5 seconds out of your day to make a real difference. Share this around- please.