Beginning of No Racism in Schools #1865
After a racist incident in 2019 at a local school, the harrowing experiences of the “Arbor View 9” ignited a spark that would lead to the creation of No Racism in Schools #1865. Mothers Akiko-Ayalla Cooks and Jshauntae Marshall co-founded this non-profit organization, inspired by the 13th Amendment, which officially abolished slavery in 1865.
For years, racially targeted behavior has occurred towards Black students, enduring constant racial slurs, being told they are too loud or aggressive, and to change their hair because it’s too distracting. The organization highlights how children experience systemic racism in the world at a young age, and these views stay throughout adulthood in some people. Cooks shared more about the organization.
“We want to spread awareness of this movement,” she said. “Most of our work has been seen in direct actions and crisis response calls from families who have reached out to us for assistance, whether it be systemic racism, experiencing racism from another student or from an educator, and a macroaggression or microaggression.”
The Incident at Arbor View High School
Established in 1956, the Clark County School District aimed to prioritize education for youth in the county. For many years, incidents of racism and discrimination have plagued CCSD. Parents voiced concern about how the school district is handling these incidents and the education that their children receive.
There is more to school than just the standard curriculum. It’s supposed to be a place for learning and for students to socialize with their peers and make friends. From studying hard for difficult tests and preparing for your school dance, to meeting up with your friends to join a club, these happenings embody the school experience. But sometimes, that experience involves an experience that no child should have to go through.
On March 18, 2019, an unexpected incident happened at Arbor View High School. Nine Black students fell victim to intentional, racially motivated online bullying. The Instagram posts showed pictures of the nine individual Black students and consisted of racial slurs, threats to shoot them, and grotesque language towards them. These young souls, known as the “Arbor View 9,” found themselves targeted by their peers on social media, transforming from mere students into children living in constant fear.
The parents of those students were fed up with the active racism that occurred at the school and throughout CCSD. They felt that if they didn’t try to end it, it would continue. Marshall and Cooks, mothers of two targeted students, called out these Instagram posts. Overnight, the posts went viral, and they decided to create an organization to speak up about these racist attacks.
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CCSD’s Response
Rocio Hernandez, a reporter for The Nevada Independent, wrote about an unfortunate event in her article, ‘Protestors Call For Reform After Video Shows Clark County School Police Using Force On Students.’ In it, she covers when a police officer detained three Black students and placed his knee on top of one of them to arrest them.
“The community members from groups including the Las Vegas branch of the NAACP, the Las Vegas branch of the National Action Network, and 1865 No Racism in Schools made their demands at a Friday night rally outside of the Clark County School District (CCSD) district’s administrative office,” she wrote. “Attendees held up signs that read ‘end police brutality,’ ‘no racism in CCSD,’ and ‘money for schools, not police.’”
Jhovani Carrillo wrote in his article, ‘CCSD Asked The Black Community to Weigh In On Its Superintendent Search. Here’s What They Had to Say,’ about a meeting talking about who should fill the role of the new CCSD superintendent. He explains how in this two-hour discussion, organizations, including No Racism In Schools #1865, called out the very few Black folks in leadership roles. They want more Black folks to fill in these roles to better help schools, especially right now. Many speakers explained how children in schools aren’t grasping the curriculum, and they’re behind.
According to the World Population Review, Nevada ranks as the 48th state in education. Las Vegas residents feel the downward spiral of the school education system and its impact on new generations of children.
No Racism In Schools #1865 Goals
Per the organization’s website, their mission is to “create a society where educational environments are free from hate, prejudice, and discrimination. We are dedicated to closing the gaps in policies, laws, and protocols that perpetuate racism within our schools.
“By targeting these systemic issues, we aim to foster a culture of inclusivity and tolerance, with a steadfast commitment to zero tolerance for racism. Our goal is to provide every child with a safe and equitable learning experience, irrespective of their race or background.”
Cooks says, “Racism and discrimination is crippling our community and our education system. It needs to be addressed immediately and not pushed under the rug, but also addressed with education attached to it, and with helping to restore the young person or the educator to a place of understanding why racism is harmful and wrong.”
She continued by saying, “I would like to see 1865 – No Racism in Schools contribute by doing community teachings, community healing circles, community restorative justice circles with partnered organizations like Cole. Critical Race Theory is important for higher education students. We need to teach real history and what really happened with redlining.”
#GetinMotion with No Racism in Schools #1865
According to U.S.News, “Clark County School District contains 378 schools and 309,787 students. The district’s minority enrollment is 80%. Also, 65.4% of students are economically disadvantaged.”
No Racism in Schools #1865 is a great example of people seeing a problem happening and seeking an active solution. This organization continues its practice of defeating racism, especially in schools, and helping students flourish in their education and learning environments.
If you want to be a part of the movement, follow them on Instagram and Facebook, and visit the No Racism in Schools #1865 website. The organization also accepts donations to fund their educational programs, community outreach initiatives, and support services for local families. And there are educational resources on the website available too.
And check out The Cole Foundation as well as Code Switch, another local group that Cooks often collaborates with.
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