Ketshaly Philome

High school junior and Lead Organizer, Curriculum Reform Committee, Malden High’s Students for Racial Equity committee

Ketshaly is a junior at MHS who is the lead organizer of the Curriculum Reform Committee within Malden High’s Students for Racial Equity committee (SFRE)- a diverse student-led board working towards implementing greater student representation and inclusion within the Malden community. Formed in September of 2020, this group consists of three distinct subgroups known as the Curriculum Reform Committee, Research and Education Committee, and Accountability Committee, each working towards their own distinct goals with an overall vision of creating a more equitable environment for the student population at Malden High School. Instagram: @MHS_SFRE

Discussion Content

“Atlanta residents rally against anti-Asian hate“ (video)

Brief intro: 

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me.
-By Martin Niemöller

In today’s day and age we live in a world full of dividers that affects all of us differently. Currently the Asian American community has had the media’s eye in light of the recent attacks happening worldwide towards them, but just because we are now hearing about this does not mean this is new. We must be allies to those that need to be advocated for as the quote says “Then they came for me and there was no one left” we as a society need to dismantle the toxic partisanship complex that we have become too comfortable with, to be an ally comes with no restrictions, meaning we do not to support/advocate for only ourselves. We cannot ask for equity when we refuse to allow it within our own self-segregation groups

Ketshaly Philome’s Discussion Questions (PDF for Print)

  1. What surprises you about this?
  2. What actions can and should individuals take when they see injustice?
  3. How do you feel about this quote: “We’re all brothers, it’s not just about your race or ethnicity, but how we share this culture together”?
  4. How do you feel about the reasons they are protesting?
  5. What connections can you make from this?

 

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