In continuation of the North Babylon School District’s focus on equity, North
Babylon High School recently held a virtual discussion on the book, “Stamped: Racism,
Antiracism and You,” by Jason Reynolds. In addition, 10 th grade social studies students
welcomed a special visitor into their classrooms to discuss the history of racism in the
United States.
On Feb. 3, students and teachers alike met virtually to discuss common themes
found in the first chapters of Reynolds’ novel: segregation, antiracism and assimilation.
Readers learned how the connotation behind each of those terms can often vary
significantly depending upon different perspectives and cultures. “It depends on the lens
you’re viewing it from,” Director of Social Studies Krystle Barnett said.
Teachers urged their students to raise the bar of awareness and to be an upstander.
“We need you. We need your thoughts. We need your voice,” Director of Science Jachan
Watkis said. “The work is never truly done. We have to keep pressing on.”
On Feb. 4, 10 th grade students attended a virtual assembly on the history of racism in
the United States, led by Tiffany Brown, CEO and founder of TWB Elite Consulting LLC.
Students watched several discriminatory scenarios and discussed how they would
have responded had they been present. Additionally, students gained a better
understanding of how empathy, compassion and even sharing common characteristics,
such as tattoos or a love of reading, can help unite people of different cultures and bring
about a better world.
Photo captions:
1. BookTalk: On Feb 3. North Babylon High School teachers and students met virtually
to discuss the common themes expressed in Jason Reynolds’ novel, “Stamped:
Racism, Antiracism and You.”
2. Brown1-2: North Babylon High School 10 th graders attended a virtual assembly on
the history of racism in the United States on Feb. 4.
