Students, how are protests and conversations about racism affecting you?

Tell us in a six-word story. 

A protest in Newark on May 30, 2020, in response to the killing of George Floyd. (Patrick Wall)

The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis spurred protests against police brutality in cities across the U.S. and forced a national reckoning on racial injustice.

Students are part of the conversation, raising their voices and orchestrating marches in their own communities

“We see what’s happening,” said Kanara Bramlett, 17, who just graduated from high school in Denver. “We really needed to demonstrate that we as young people have a voice in our community and we’re capable of creating the same amount of change as the adults.”

Chalkbeat wants to amplify young people’s voices even further.

Students, how are you feeling about the civil unrest around police brutality and marches to support Black Lives Matter? What are your hopes for the future? What do you want to tell your parents, teachers, community and political leaders, and fellow students?

Share your thoughts via a six-word story. Want some inspiration? Here are a few examples from Brain Pickings and Buzzfeed.

Please submit your thoughts by June 17. Select responses will be published on Chalkbeat’s website and social media channels. We can’t wait to hear from you. 

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The district’s two STEM middle schools will launch a STEM Scholars program and create STEM Future Centers where students can go for academic support and hands-on opportunities.

The changes to the Detroit school district’s special education department will mean some students will be transferred to different schools for the coming school year.

The Trump administration cut a prestigious national award for STEM teachers, prompting a campaign to save it.

In a dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor called the decision ‘indefensible.’ Education Secretary Linda McMahon has said the job cuts are a first step toward eliminating the department, although a legal challenge to the layoffs can continue in the lower courts.

Despite the judge’s ruling, officials at American Paradigm Schools charter network, which operates Memphis Street Academy, say they expect to continue to operate the school this fall.

Students will be expected to demonstrate that they are global citizens and critical thinkers to graduate. How they will be assessed remains an open question.