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Sereniti Huff, a freshman at Orchard View High School whose photograph titled “Translucent Opportunities” is part of the YEP project, addressed racism in employment.

“A black college student has the same chance of getting a job as a white high school dropout,” Huff said [you can see more about that here]. “Studies show that companies and businesses will hire those of lighter skin tones because they think they’re more qualified. They feel safer with people of lighter complexions because of what society is telling us about how the lighter you are, the better you are.”

These are big, daunting, systemic issues—but they are ones that cannot be ignored and must be dealt with head on—here in Muskegon and across the country, students noted. To do so, the adults in the audience—everyone from school superintendents to policy experts—said they aim to better incorporate the students’ voices.

Muskegon Heights Superintendent Rane Garcia said she hopes to bring the YEP photography exhibit to Muskegon Heights and host a community forum surrounding the topics it addresses.

“This kind of event breaks my heart and recharges me as well,” Garcia said. “They’re right in everything they said. Now what? The data is there; the numbers are there; we have wronged communities as a whole. Now how do we take action?”

Jayme Vosovic, Michigan League for Public Policy’s community engagement specialist for West Michigan, said the issues raised by the students align with her organization’s priorities, including racial equity, increasing school funding, and more.

“I think the main point of this is for someone to listen to another person’s perspective…and how these issues impact their lives,” Vosovic said of Wednesday’s forum. “You can take that back and make personal changes and a greater change in our community.” May 17, 2019 – Muskegon Times

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