Guest Author: Addie Lentzner
When I was 13, I had no idea that I had a voice. I accepted my schooling situation as out of my hands, I thought my life was basically being decided for me at that point. Little did I know that I would soon find out the opposite, and make it my mission to ensure other students know what I learned.
The first step in this youth infusion journey was starting an anti-racism group at my school. Seeing daily microaggressions, coming to understand systemic racism, and feeling as though schools didn’t teach an accurate and inclusive curriculum compelled me to do this. With apprehension, I wrote to my principal, and to my surprise she approved the club. I didn’t know students had that authority! But I still didn’t see myself as an equal to the adults in the room. Even starting a statewide group didn’t convince me that students are and should be the experts…I still felt as though I was under the authority of people based on age.
Voiceless to “Having a Say”
Then COVID-19 hit, and I got frustrated and dismayed. Adults weren’t listening to our needs – we were asked to continue doing loads of homework while facing a literal pandemic, as well as a racial justice reckoning. Where was the equality, as we all sat on our Zoom screens with our cameras off, the teacher the only one with it on? How was this seen as okay?
Working As Equals with Adults
The transformation came when I was 16. Craving an outlet for my disillusionment with the education system, I came across Our Turn. Our Turn is a national nonprofit working to uplift student voices in the fight for education justice.
I started as a Communications Fellow, and soon transitioned to Executive Fellow, where I worked with the CEO. I found myself amazed: I could text the CEO, an adult, and pitch an idea that he would actually consider! I had weekly meetings with adults on the team who took me absolutely seriously. I was able to work on projects, such as reports, as an equal partner with an adult, and I spoke at panel events as the only youth…but was respected completely.
This was, at the very least, a paradigm shift. I began working closely with adults in my day to day life, working one on one with professors and teachers, and overall seeing myself as an equal. After all, we’ve all been youth once, it’s ridiculous that adults feel as though younger people shouldn’t have a voice. In fact, I soon became the Executive Director of a completely youth run organization with a staff and board composed of mostly people under age 22. This was also a paradigm shift.
I found my voice, and I found the truth: youth should be equals. I understand that adults have years of wisdom and experience, I’m not trying to discount that. I’m only saying that young people should be given a seat at the table – heck, they should be at the front of the table in conversations that are about their own education.
But many youth don’t know the highly suppressed secret of their power. Instead, youth are forced to sit behind Google Meets screens or at desks, neglect what they’re passionate about, and feel the inequalities of the world coming down on them. How is this fair?
Youth inclusion and infusion can radically change inequities . . .
Bringing students of color, low income students, LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities, and other too often unheard of students to the forefront can alter the systems of society. If youth who experience inequities are able to lead nonprofits, assist in government, and make important decisions…we will truly change things.
I would like to live in a world where all young people have an equal voice, an equal say. I urge adults to begin walking the talk and giving youth the attention and space they deserve to make a difference. And youth, I urge you to not be afraid to speak out. I was afraid at first, but once I did it, there was no going back. Youth voice is a powerful tool, but it’s only truly powerful if we all are included.
Learn More . . .
- Study Our Turn and their Student Agenda
- Check out redlining and other initiatives of Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network
Share other organizations engaged in interGEN work at our LinkedIN Youth Infusion HUB
Youth Infusion 