Friends, community members, and strangers, I know this period of our lives has been extremely difficult. There are a million words I could accurately use to describe the shared emotions that unite the masses during what I call this time of pure darkness. Hopelessness, fear, loneliness, dread, sadness, anger, and nothingness are surely on the list. 

I’m sure that by now you all know what our country is going through, more specifically our state. From U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids to the taking of innocent lives all over the nation, we are going through a terrible time. The encroachments of our president have crept into our daily lives more and more every day. From deployments to major cities, to online reports and posts, to storming onto our school’s front lawn. Everything is real, and it’s here. It’s unfaceable now; we’ve all been commanded to not ignore the nation’s current state. And oh my, we should not.  As much as I see the face of Renee Good plastered everywhere in remembrance, I see it in my heart of all the families torn apart, people killed, and citizens and non-citizens alike being brutalized. I have made it my mission to see it all. 

That brings me to what I need to say. 

I see you.

If you are going through an especially tough time right now, just know that I and so, so many other people are here for you. Please never feel ashamed to reach out and tell someone how you’re feeling. No matter your race or identity, we need community, and telling someone how you’ve been feeling about the commotion infiltrating into our lives can really help. Just at Roosevelt alone, there are so many people and opportunities that have made it their duty to be open to conversation. All it takes is a simple remark like, “Can I talk to you about something?” 

As a person of extreme privilege, especially during this time where our immigrant and Somali neighbors are being targeted, I know I need to do something. We all need to do something about the injustice of our nation. If you’re reading this and feel the same way, talking to peers is a great way to find an effective and safe way for you to make a difference. Just on Monday, January 12th, students displayed an excellent example of stepping up. They knew they needed to do something, and the creation of a school walkout was the perfect, peaceful opportunity to showcase how students feel about the state of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I am so proud of not only students at Roosevelt but also all the community volunteers who watch over our school, people who stepped up when ICE came knocking on our door, our amazing Roosevelt staff, and the people of the United States of America. Time in and time out we have shown that we will fight for what we believe is right and that we are stronger together. 

These next few weeks will especially be difficult here at school, but the rest of our lives will always be littered with the scars of what we have been through. I know for myself, being at school after the events on January 7th will always feel a bit unreal. Just a week ago, border patrol officials were throwing the people who have chosen time and time again to be here for our community on the ground with the most amount of disgrace I think I have ever seen. To everyone who, in the face of fear, took the opportunity to be strong and help protect all of us from evil, thank you. The entire Roosevelt community thanks you. 

As Roosevelt goes “triple-platinum” online, I want to share how much I am going to value regularity at school from now on. Even in the little things, like math teacher Mr. Voeks’ perfect announcer voice on weeknights at sporting events, or in the warm smiles we all get from assistant principal Mrs. McNulty and principal Mr. Ledesma as we enter school, and in the oh-so-friendly demeanor of psychology and history teacher Mrs. K. Jensen. Most of all though, I value being able to learn. Being able to be taught so much information is a privilege that we as students get to have when we come to school. As our present government takes up so much truth and accuracy of what we learn, I say to you now, you must take the gift of learning and use it to educate yourself. Educate yourself and your community on what is really happening surrounding ICE raids, deployments, killings, and sightings. Education is power, more now than ever before. 

Finally, I wanted to say how sorry I am for all of this. Of course, no ICE brutality incident is my fault, but I just feel an overwhelming sense of guilt. It is so disheartening to see our country crumble at our feet! I am sorry to all the immigrant families who are constantly living in a state of fear. I am sorry to all of the people of certain ethnicities our president’s orders target. I am sorry to all the people who are scared to leave the house or go to work. I am sorry to my fellow students. I am sorry to the protesters who have been teargassed or harassed. I am so sorry to the family of every single person who has been killed, detained, and beaten by ICE officials. My list is forever endless. Most of all I am sorry that we live in times like these, and from now on, I promise to use my empathy to really make a difference. 

Starting with this very article. 

Thank you for reading. 

https://www.miracmn.com/resources