ISSUES-DRIVEN DISCUSSIONS IN AP SEMINAR CLASS

As the students in Trafalgar’s AP Seminar course continue to engage in conversations that explore the complexities of real-world topics and issues, they welcomed Trafalgar grad Kristin Orlando (shown in photo delivering the 2019 valedictorian speech) to one of their June classes.

 

Kristin expressed her outrage at the violence committed against people of colour, and her growing commitment to raising awareness about systemic racism. She was one of a group of students that helped to form the Black Rose Alliance, mobilizing youth to raise their voices in protest. With no prior experience in organizing a movement, she stressed the importance of being receptive to feedback, adapting and learning more every day.

 

In response to questions from the class, she discussed how to be an ally and how to be mindful of white privilege, when to lead and when to defer to others to lead. She underscored the importance of educating oneself on issues, and offered to pass on resources and petitions to the group. Ms. McCabe says her students, “enjoyed the opportunity to speak candidly with Kristin,” about a topic very much on their minds these days.