NEW YORK STUDENTS TAKE ACTION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AS PART OF RFK CENTER/NYSUT LESSON PLANS

Students from across New York State have been getting a new look at social justice and the life of Robert F. Kennedy as part of the award winning work plan series, "Speak Up, Speak Out: Robert F. Kennedy, Champion of Social Justice", produced by a collaboration of the New York State United Teachers and the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights.

The lesson plans draw on Sen. Kennedy's mission and  vision to help students grasp the principles and philosophy of social justice. Individual unit lessons have been created for grades 4, 8 and 11. The materials have been developed by educators with input from the staff, board and friends of the RFK Center. 

Now students and teachers are putting their lessons to action. Some of the students and their teachers were kind enough to share some of their work with the RFK Center.

Students in 8th Grade classes wrote poems about Robert F. Kennedy and social justice issues, including child labor use to harvest cocoa, used in chocolate.

Renee F. wrote:

I am a 13 year old girl named Renee
I am forced to march on a road
With a heavy load
I have cuts
On my arms, and legs
I feel like I did a hundred push ups
Without stopping
My legs feel liek they are in agony
I feel persecuted, like an animal being hunted
I have no dignity,
no hope
and 
no family
My dreams are shattered
Like a glass being thrown on the ground
Bobby I need you
Bobby where did you go?
Bobby where are you?

See more of their poems here.

Students at Brentwood West Middle School in Bayside, NY recently wrote to Hershey Company CEO, David J. West, urging the company to adopt Fair Trade standards and ensure against child labor in the cocoa it uses to make its candies.

Brandon C. wrote:

I am an eight grade student at Brentwood West Middle School in New York. Everyday I ask myself why? Why don't we use Fair Trade Cocoa? Thousands of children in West Africa are forced into child labor for the production of coacoa, chocolate's primary ingredient. Alo of those kids are being denied a proper education, or are in pain because they work long hours in terribe conditions. You should be ashamed of youselves. Never have I felt this wat. I bet if everyone knew what you were doing, they would never eat your chocolate. Now please have a heart; and buy only Fair Trade Chocolate.

See more of their letters here.