River City High School's Black Student Union spearheads 'No Room For Hate' campaign
Some students in West Sacramento are on a mission to combat discrimination and promote kindness in the community.The Black Student Union at River City High School spearheaded the "No Room for Hate" campaign.Saturday, the West Sacramento Police Department showed its support for this initiative.Kailani Griffith is a senior at River City High School and the Black Student Union president on campus.She's on a mission to change the way some young people speak to each other."There are students at school that walk around saying hateful words, but they're saying it towards their friend...Why are you saying that? You shouldn't be using those words, especially in an educational environment?"When Kailani noticed the problem at her school, she didn't stay quiet about it.She and the Black Student Union started the “No Room for Hate” campaign and placed bright yellow banners all over campus to get their message across."I hope it shows them that their actions for the people participating in hate speech. I hope it shows them that it's not okay and that they really are hurting more people and they are hurting themselves as well. And I just hope that it teaches them and educates them on the issue," said BSU member and student McKenzie Chele."I do think we can do better, honestly. Obviously, it'll take time, but I feel like if we all just come together and work hard... then I feel like we can," said BSU member and student Sunnie Ferguson.Currently, 23 banners are installed throughout West Sacramento.River City High School students said this is just the beginning to make their city a more inclusive environment for everyone. "It started off for River City High School, but after talking to admin and district leaders, we realized that hate speech doesn't only affect students on our campus, but students throughout the community. And we wanted to figure out a way to work together to help the whole community face this issue," said Griffith.Saturday, West Sacramento Police Chief Rob Strange unveiled a banner at the police station to show his support for what young people are doing to make their city a better place."The reality is hate isn't just ugly words and bad attitudes. Hate is dangerous. It fuels violence. It threatens public safety, and we will not stand for it. What we say matters, every one of us, especially adults, leaders, anyone that's a role model. We set the tone.Our words could either unite or divide, heal, or harm. For too long, divisiveness has crept into our politics, our neighborhoods, and even our homes. It's enough. We need to call it out. We need to correct it. It's on us," said Strange.Washington Unified Superintendent Cheryl P. Hildreth also praised students and their campaign to erase hate speech."I believe that there are far more of us who choose love over hate. This initiative reminds us that when students, educators, families, community partners, and law enforcement work together, we can create schools and neighborhoods where everyone feels they belong," said Hildreth.Students who founded the initiative say they are proud of starting a movement."I feel really grateful that I can say that I'm a part of this, because I know that we're not only affecting you know, schools around, we're affecting a whole community," said McKenzie Chele. "I know that I'm doing something good for my community because there are some students who aren't brave enough to step up and use their voice to fight against these issues," said Griffith.Being so close to the Capitol, students from River City High School's Black Student Union said they are now working with lawmakers to have their “No Room for Hate” campaign expanded statewide.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
