This is no place for hate
Club and extended block lesson seek to end hate speech at school
Video still courtesy of Hillary Currier
During the extended block when students shared experiences with hate speech, they could be anonymous or identifiable. Some students felt comfortable being identified. Others had an ally read about their experiences. While still others were comfortable being silhouetted.
November 29, 2021
On Oct. 25 administrators added extended blocks for the short week of school. During this extension, students were shown a video. It included students sharing the hate speech they endured here at Tigard High.
The video wasn’t surprising to many.
“I’m not surprised about the hate speech, I think I’m more surprised about how many people came forward in the video,” sophomore Mason Thomas said.
“I felt disgusted and upset but not surprised; I have never personally been affected by hate speech, but I know it affects the student body and people around me,” freshman Madi Vogel said.
After the video, students filled out Google Forms and cards and nearpods.
For students who enjoyed the experience of the extended block lessons, there is a club they can join.
No Place for Hate club sets up similar activities to what students experienced during the extended block. No place for hate is a national organization that is organized through the Anti-Defamation League. They have clubs in schools all across the country. To have a No Place for Hate club schools must follow their four-step approach. Form a committee, sign the pledge, assess school climate and lastly, implement activities.
“Throughout the year we will have different events that help pursue this goal, from having the school sign a pledge to stand against hate, to sharing positive messages and even organizing lessons that help students learn new ways to connect and support one another,” Equity Coordinator Rob Parness said.
“Our goal with No Place for Hate is to make THS a safe, welcoming, and supportive school environment where every student has the chance to learn and grow without fear of being discriminated against based on who they are,” Parness said. “We are promoting kindness, empathy and unity in the face of hate and division.”
Junior Henry Castillo is the student leader of No Place for Hate club. The club meets every other Monday after school in the commons. There is not an official sign up at the moment but anyone is able to stop by during a meeting. The next meeting will be on Dec. 6.
