Roundtable
Discussion
The New Jersey Orators organized a Roundtable Discussion at the Piscataway Public Library, welcoming middle and high school students to participate in an intergenerational conversation about civil rights. The event gathered approximately 35 community members, spanning generations, to discuss the impact of civil rights legislation on education, voting rights, social justice, and civil liberties.
The discussion was facilitated by Seton Hall University Martin Luther King Fellows and involved five key topics relevant to today’s society:
Both young and old benefited from this intergenerational exchange and where student-led activism may lead to changes in today’s civil rights laws. They both realized how privilege we are in the United States to have these civil rights. Seniors enjoyed the opportunity to share historical facts about similarities of the past and current Civil Rights occurrences while students pointed out societal differences of today’s environment as well as cultural impacts that are evident when civil rights are not evenly distributed. (social injustice).
Everyone encouraged the continuation of future intergenerational roundtable discussions about other topics that will bring Seniors and youth together while offering solutions to problems. This event gave Seniors, elected officials, parents and middle and high school students a glimpse of Civil Rights history while understanding the importance of promoting unity and understanding of cultural differences.
Discussions included the impact of past legislation like “Brown v Topeka Board of Education” and current legislation like, ” Congressman John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023″ on student education today.
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION FEEDBACK
- School segregation is more visible now then it was back then during Civil Rights Era.
- However, now we have self-separation in lunch rooms.
- The negative effects of the Supreme Court affirmative action repeal in admission in higher education and Title IX, which impacts gender equality.
- There is a noticeable hierarchy of races.
- There are socio economic indifference and how folks who come from lower socio-economic conditions have to navigate entering college differently.
- Music themes support aggressive themes following social media peers.
- Negative and weird themes are being promoted by students.
- Parents (both) are working and no one is in the home with the students.
- Board of Education involvement and engagement has increased.
- There are more creative ways to engage youth in learning.
- There are differences in communities’ dynamics and community support of education. Not all the same, so don’t apply same solutions/recommendations.
- Allocation of resources for education needs to increase for early grades. Township/City government needs to vary involvement. Not control education and dictate policies.
- Understanding the New Jersey has a complex history; Don’t be afraid to teach it.
- Funding and accessibility of libraries are diminishing. Libraries are now a political space. Need less municipal control and dictates. (Book banning.)
- Many municipalities only provide access to adequate libraries by students and their families in specific neighborhoods.
- Disparities affecting the education system in Middlesex County; ranking of quality public schools are lower than private which many families cannot afford to send their children.
- Voting is an example of a Civil Rights; Free Speech is a Civil Liberty.
- Our voting rights are being taken away or restricted in states with lots of discrimination.
- States Have Added Nearly 100 Restrictive Laws Since Supreme Court Gutted the Voting Rights Act 10 Years Ago.
- Many young people are registering now to vote.
- Mental Health training should be mandatory for all police officers graduating from the Police Academy and annually for all existing street police officers and detectives.
- Mental Health advisors should accompany police in the community.
- We need systemic change.
- The punishment for unjustified shootings should be lost of pension and employment tracking to ensure no future hiring at another municipality.
- When Dr. King protested unjust treatment, there was immediate walks. The strategy was more visible.
- What kind of policy recommendation will come from this Roundtable Discussion? Will I see the impact? Discussion on the length of time it takes for legislation/laws to be passed and put into effect.
- Social media connects to more Music like Marvin Gaye’s “What’s going on?” has a larger and broader audience. Its intergenerational and a mixture of different cultures.
- Temptation with social media is allows people to criticize and be invisible and concealed (veiled) behind social media (i.e., Facebook, X, Instagram, Twitter) applications.
This event highlights our dedication to fostering intergenerational dialogue, celebrating the progress of civil rights, and empowering future leaders to shape a more equitable society.
Moments from the MLK Roundtable Discussion
