Seventh and eighth grade students at C.W. Henry School held a rally on June 3 to raise awareness about the effects of redlining policies on Philadelphia. Redlining is the discriminatory practice of refusing financial services, such as mortgages and insurance, to residents in minority-heavy neighborhoods.

Several notable community figures attended the rally, including state Rep. Chris Rabb, candidate for the state House of Representatives Chris Johnson, and the Rev. Gregory Holston of the 57 Block Coalition, an advocacy group against gun violence.

The event marked the culmination of a yearlong research project with Need in Deed, a citywide organization that provides a framework and support for educators in the School District of Philadelphia to engage students in learning about a meaningful social issue.

A yearlong project

According to Francesca Cantarini, a social studies teacher for sixth through eighth grades at C.W. Henry, this was the school’s first year working with Need in Deed. The project began earlier in the school year, with brainstorming sessions identifying on which issue to focus.

Cantarini invited Nicole Levy, a community advocate and former bank regulator, as a guest speaker to discuss the history of redlining policies in the city.

“Through the historic lack of disinvestment, we see the most gun violence, housing and food insecurity, and school closures in the same neighborhoods in Philadelphia that were once redlined,” Cantarini said. “So, when the kids started putting those thoughts together after [Levy] came in and spoke with us, they decided they wanted to work on all three of those issues, because how could you work on just one? They are all descendants of discriminatory redlining policies.”

Once the topics were decided, students began researching how Philadelphia was dealing with these issues. They started a schoolwide food drive for the Germantown Community Fridge and had the founder, Jane Ellis, give a presentation. Students wrote to Rabb, thanking him for his support on these topics. Seventh and eighth grade students also introduced some of the lower grades to the topic of food insecurity with classroom presentations, and interviewed speakers for their morning show on the Henry Broadcasting System.

Finally, the students decided to hold a rally to raise awareness. They wrote informational sheets, prepared speeches, designed posters, and invited guest speakers. According to Cantarini, this hands-on work is important.

“A project like this makes learning real,” Cantarini said. “It empowers the students to understand not only that they can make a difference, but how to make a difference. It gives them an opportunity to work together within the classroom and within the community to build something that will make a lasting impact. Hopefully it has a lasting impact on them as we are trying to grow them into global citizens.”

The rally

At the rally, which took place outside the Mt. Airy school, students held signs with slogans against issues such as gun violence and housing and food insecurity, and passed out informational sheets on the topics. A slate of speakers addressed the crowd, including eighth graders Ciani Jones, Mashia Hairston, Amaya Lacson, Aasiya Young, Anya Graham, and Nyasha Jackson.

Holston led the crowd in a chant of “No justice, no peace” during his address.

“I’m proud of you and proud of your teachers,” Holston said. “Continue to learn, continue to grow, and continue to fight so that all of Philadelphia looks like C.W. Henry — a place for all people.”

The students then presented a $250 check to Shan Sims of the Germantown Community Fridge. Sims expressed appreciation for the donation and thanked the students for “showing up” to advocate for social justice.

Following the presentation of the check, Rabb spoke. As a “formerly young person” himself, Rabb expressed pride in the students standing up for what they believe in.

“You have power now,” Rabb told the students. “You don’t have to wait until you’re old enough to drive or old enough to vote. … Young people have their fingerprints over every time that we have moved this society forward. Young people have been on the front lines. So, see your power now — not when you graduate, not when you get a job — right now.”

Following Rabb, his possible successor Chris Johnson took the microphone. Johnson said he was inspired by the crowd and “can’t wait to see the future we’re going to build together with all of you involved.”

“Our future [is] going to be really, really bright because you all are learning about our past — a past of struggle, a past of perseverance, a past of hope, a past of fighting for justice,” Johnson said. “We now all have a responsibility with what we’ve learned, with the knowledge that you’ve gained in learning about redlining and the impact that it has had on our communities, to do something better to build a future that’s brighter than it currently is.”

Wallace Weaver, chief of staff for state Sen. Art Haywood, also spoke at the rally, engaging the students in a call-and-response chant about everyone having dignity. Lastly, Andre Saunders — an artist, poet, and activist — finished the event with a motivational poetry performance.

Speaking to the Local after the rally, Rabb echoed his sentiment that young people becoming involved in social issues is a positive sign for the future.

“When these young folks see themselves in the change they want to see for the world, the level of confidence and self-esteem and agency is unparalleled,” Rabb said. “What kind of citizens are they going to become? What kind of parents? What kind of taxpayers? What kind of employers? What kind of workers are they going to be? They’re going to be extraordinary, because they see their own power based in community. That’s what it’s all about.”

Maggie Dougherty can be reached at Margaret@chestnuthilllocal.com.