VOX traveled to Athena’s Warehouse at Cross Keys High School to lead two workshops with their teen girls to discuss racial rhetoric post-election. After several activities and opportunities for discussion, the teens reflected on what they’ve experienced since the election.
VOX’s Atlanta Teen Voices Teen Editor Christian Stallworth co-facilitated the workshops and shared her experience from the day.
About our dialogue
Athena’s Warehouse meets in a small classroom at Cross Keys High School. We had the pleasure of meeting many teen girls who mostly were in their senior year of high school. We discussed race and its prevalence in the current political environment, because ever since the election many high schoolers have experienced or witnessed racism in school. When we first walked in, I felt all eyes on us with anticipation and skepticism. Many of the girls seemed hesitant to speak about their feelings at first. I sensed it was because many people would rather avoid the realities instead of accept that racism is more overt today than it has ever been in our generation. I found myself emotionally connecting to the girls, as I have tried my best to get the election out of my head. Nevertheless, when the girls began to write, it was evident they could communicate their despair through these pieces. I was so proud to see people in my generation be so aware of the issues in the world and be able to talk in a calm manner about how it’s affecting their families. I could tell these girls were strong and had been through a lot already, but what I took from this experience that I will remember forever is their contagious optimism. They were scared, but they did not let it hold them back from speaking their mind.
By Elena Cohn, 18
I take your executive orders personally! I am not undocumented, but I am a minority. There are so many things that I hate about you! I hate the fact that your edict is inspiring people to hate. I HATE that 2 out of 3 of your wives are immigrants but you can’t see it as so. I HATE that you are a white man in America and are highly protected against all executive orders that you enforce. All in all, there is one thing I love about you, Trump. You are bringing to light what was always under the mask of America, and you are forcing the American people to take actions against the white supremacy that founded our “great” country.
By A., 16
I felt hopeless when I found out the results of the election. My whole family felt broken. I remember how people would joke around about the election. No one ever thought Trump was going to win. The whole school was quiet the next day. People were scared that people were going to get deported. I witnessed teachers say racist things. In some way, the election got people united.
By Jennifer Zuniga, 18
Devastation Roaming Around the Halls of CK
Fear amongst the student body
Fear amongst the family
At first, people were joking around
We never imagined that Donald Trump would make it as far as he did.
Identity Wheels
Athena’s Warehouse Teens created identity wheels in which they listed the eight dimensions of their identity that they they consider to be among the most important in defining themselves. They also shared a stereotype that they have heard about one dimension of their identity that fails to describe them accurately and wrote sentences speaking out against these stereotypes.
Interested in a Atlanta Teen Voices workshop for your organization?
With the goal of amplifying the voices of teens across metro Atlanta, VOX’s Atlanta Teen Voices program offers workshops where teens can speak-up, write, and create art and media to be shared on VoxAtl.com. To collectively impact our community through raising and sharing teens’ voices, contact Sarah Garnitz at Sarah@voxatl.org.
