On Monday September 20th, the string of Summer Reading Wrap-Up assemblies began when RHS welcomed film maker, storyteller, and outreach strategist Lacey Schwartz to the Auditorium. 

Diversity and Inclusion Editor Sana Cheema, Chief Copy Editor Olivia Selby, and Digital Media Editor Alejandra Dickens sat on the stage and interviewed Schwartz in front of the ninth graders.

Schwartz spoke about a variety of topics, including her experiences as a biracial woman discovering her identity (the focus of her 2014 documentary Little White Lie), her march with the late Congressman John Lewis, as well as the ways in which young people in our community can challenge their biases surrounding race. 

She emphasized that the most important steps in shifting our biases are respecting other people’s experiences, having thoughtful conversations despite holding differing views, and celebrating differences instead of feeling the need to conform. 

She urged students to ask questions: “Who do I hang out with and why?” “How can I broaden my circle?” “Why are predominantly white communities predominantly white?” 

Inequities within school happen whether you notice or not. It can be hard to navigate issues by yourself. You can always contact me (Sana Cheema) or the rest of the Rhinebeck Reality staff. Anyone interested in becoming part of an equity group or the Human Rights Club, contact Rhinebeck Reality, or the club adviser Anita Thompson. 

Also in the future for anything you wish to report or you want to draw attention to, go to the Rhinebeck School District website at the bottom of the homepage where it says Quick Tip System. You can always keep it anonymous too.