Youth Representation Leads to Better Public Education
Summer 1999, v15-3
	- Ben Smilowitz Social justice means providing all community members the opportunity to share in decisions that effect their lives and the well-being of thier communities. As co-founder of the International Alliance for Student Activism (ISAA), Ben Smilowitz provides passion and purpose to this definition. In his article, Ben makes a compelling and cogent argument that youth inclusion will serve to promote healthier schools, as well as more responsive communities and individuals. Turning 18 was supposed to bring on a whole new bunch of responsibilities. I can vote, walk my dog after curfew hours, buy lotto tickets and cigarettes (no, I don't smoke). All of a sudden, I am getting phone calls from credit card and phone companies. Even Philip Morris, the same company that told me not to smoke the day before, asked me to smoke a pack. Was I really any more responsible the day I turned 18? On March 26, I only felt a day older than 17. When I turned 18, I became old enough to run for my local board of education. Even though I am now ready to graduate from high school and move out of town for college, I am legally "old enough" to have a real say in the system that I will soon leave. In many youth organizations, the same standard applies. Board members are adults making all the decisions for the children. I've always been frustrated with organizations that say they work for youth and don't include them. I always wonder why many groups have youth in their name but aren't led or co-led by youth. Everyone is alarmed that voter turnout is now the lowest since 18-year-olds got the right to vote. Why are youth so disconnected in schools and society? In the wake of the tragic Littleton shooting, we are all asking questions. How could something so terrible happen? What's happening to the youth in America today? Why are youth excluded left and right? A few days after the shooting, I was on the radio for a Saturday morning show in Hartford and some guy called in and started talking about how we need to help the kids who wear black all the time. "Look at what you just said," I stated. "This whole show, we've been talking about not alienating people and there you go--you just alienated a pretty big group of people. Did you know, most of the kids who wear black don't eat meat? In fact, most of them wouldn't even step on an ant. They're less dangerous than most other people." That's just one example of how people feed this hysteria about "youth violence." Schools everywhere are now rushing to ban trenchcoats, hair color, and bookbags. Most Congressmen wear black trenchcoats and use dye to cover their gray hair... would they ban this stuff in Congress? I truly believe that this "youth violence" problem isn't limited to youth. Our entire system excludes youth and this makes them feel powerless. I truly believe that this "youth violence" problem isn't limited to youth. Our entire system excludes youth and this makes them feel powerless. Think about your community for a moment. Chances are, students don't vote on your local board of education. Key decisions are being made by your town council and youth aren't even consulted. There might be a town juvenile curfew or the local school might have a uniform policy. What type of message does this convey? Curfews make minors feel like criminals and uniforms make them all "conform" to look the same. What does that tell students about thinking on their own and valuing their own individuality? Adults and youth have a role in fixing these problems. Adults need to share the power they have now and youth need to step up to the plate and speak up. Every board ought to include a wide variety of people; especially the constituency of the organization. More ideas lead to better policy. In Connecticut, we led a student legislative campaign to put students on our state board of education. The State Board voted eight to one to have one student serve in an advisory role at the discretion of the chair. We didn't like that plan so we passed a bill that created two seats that didn't depend on anyone's discretion. This year, we are expected to pass a bill that would give these students partial voting rights. Some members of the Board claim that students don't have enough experience to serve on a large Board as a full member. When it comes right down to it, every board member brings a different perspective. Some board members will sit on the finance committee and others will sit on the legislative committee. A student, who walks through the halls of school every day, can easily provide a perspective as unique as someone who runs a bank or is a retired teacher and board of education member. Students need to realize that their voice counts and that they will be listened to. All too often, students have stuff to say but they are shut out of decisions and discussion. Because students are left out, they feel powerless and they don't see themselves as a real part of the solution. In schools, so many students are disenfranchised because they don't think our current system represents them. It's like voters not voting because they cannot identify with any of the candidates, except for these students can't even vote. When I speak to students about getting active and involved, I tell them about what I've done and what other students have done to make their voice heard. I show them results. It's obvious that people listen to and trust their peers more than anyone else, so when I tell students that they can speak up and that they can impact change, they listen to me. It's obvious that people listen to and trust their peers more than anyone else, so when I tell students that they can speak up and that they can impact change, they listen to me. The International Student Activism Alliance is a national student organization that strives to educate, empower, and involve high school students to work for the protection of students' rights, representation, and for the betterment of public education. Students around the United States are joining at an amazing rate because this organization is run by students, for students. Whenever individuals are responsible for a part of the function of an organization to which they belong, they are likely to put in more time and effort. In ISAA, members can get as active as they'd like. If schools and towns worked the same way, maybe more students would feel included and connected. I truly believe that if more students get involved now, they'll stay active and involved for the rest of their lives. If that happens, our world will be a better place. When I graduate high school, I will be leaving ISAA and I'll continue my work on a college level. I want to see participation rates in our society soar and the only way to do that is to motivate students to get involved. I am certain that the more students our organization reaches, the more students we'll inspire and empower. It's my goal to get the message out to as many students as possible. I truly believe that if more students get involved now, they'll stay active and involved for the rest of their lives. If that happens, our world will be a better place. Author bio (back to top) Ben Smilowitz co-founded the ISAA in 1996. He comes to student activism from a long history of involvement in campaigns and causes. Over the past year, Ben has tackled student representation issues, school expulsion policies, censorship, and various student privacy issues. He was recently invited to the White House, to hear President Clinton speak about school safety and youth violence. Ben is currently a member of the Connecticut State Student Advisory Council on Education, National 4-H Council Board of Trustees, and Connecticut Voices for Children Board of Directors. You can reach Ben at benisaa@aol.com.
	NEW DESIGNS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT © 1999