race the race! Students for Racial Justice (SRJ) is a club that stands for equality in our school. This club has held different celebrations and events and has taken an interest in banned books, the history curriculum, LGBTQ+ issues, and more.
“SRJ is a place where you can come voice your concerns and also provide positive things that would make the school a welcoming place in regards to race and gender,” math teacher Logan Calder said.
Calder is a newer staff member who has taken an interest in the SRJ club.
“For several years now I’ve loved studying about the civil rights movement and I think the mission of SRJ is in line with the civil rights movement … I just want to be a part of the civil rights movement that continues,” Calder said.
In September for Hispanic Heritage Month, SRJ held a lunch where over 100 students showed up to eat. Mother of senior Jackie Roldan Felix, Teresa Colunga, made the food with a group of students, and club leader Esther Koontz.
“I [was] so glad to see all the students’ faces, [and] how happy [it was] to have the opportunity to eat that meal [when] maybe for a long time [they] didn’t have any … food is love,” Colunga said.
Colunga explained how happy she was to be able to provide for the students at the high school because she understood that some of them might not have food that reminds them of home often.
“This was the first year [for Hispanic Heritage Month]. Last year we did it for Asian and Pacific Islander Month and we always talked about doing it for Hispanic Heritage Month because we have a big Hispanic population,” Roldan said.
This is only one of the events that has taken place this year. According to Roldan, there are possible events for Black History Month coming soon from SRJ.
“I know we’re starting to think about doing racial training … I think we’re still figuring out stuff within the school, like talking to the school board about the books, that’s been a lasting thing,” Roldan said.
Not only is there the SRJ club at the high school but there is a racial justice group in the community that one or two of the SRJ students are in.
“We just want to know what they think and ways we can make it better. We all see certain things … that’s why we got into the topic of the books, the history curriculum, dress codes, we brought back the bullying and discrimination form, so I just think it’s a nice club,” Roldan said.
The issue over books has gone on for a few years and students from SRJ have gone to school board meetings to voice their opinions and concerns.
“The point of SRJ is to really have your voice heard, the first thing we do is ask everyone how we’re doing currently … starting with that just sets like a preface for how we’re going to go along with things, because not only are we wanting to get things done in the school, but also we want to check in with each of us,” Roldan said.
