The Northampton Human Rights Commission writes in support of the students at JFK Middle School who protested to bring community awareness to the prevalence of sexual harassment at the school (“Sexual harassment awareness demonstrations continue,” June 24-25).
In doing so, they were exercising rights the United Nations codified in the Convention on the Rights of the Child: the “right to express (his/her) views in all matters affecting” them (Article 12); the “right to freedom of expression … to include freedom to seek, receive and impart information” (Article 13); and “freedom of association and peaceful assembly” (Article 15).
We affirm the courage it took these students to make themselves visible in the community of their peers, and hope they know that they represented others who have not felt safe naming the harassment they witness or experience.
A survey of middle and high school students by the American Association of University Women in 2010-2011 found 48 percent of students experienced sexual harassment at least once. Targets of sexual harassment may be of any gender, race, or class. Participating students follow a long history of advocates who act even when they could face consequences.
We are grateful for Principal Lesley Wilson’s commitment to take individual allegations seriously and hope she will reengage the students when they return to school in the fall to create a climate of greater physical and emotional safety for all. We appreciate Superintendent John Provost’s agreement with the students’ message and remind him that it sometimes requires a break with the status quo in order to draw community attention to important matters of justice.
We urge the superintendent and School Committee to give all due attention to the concerns raised. We encourage a review of what supplemental curricula is available to help students understand and counter a culture where sexual harassment is tolerated, and to help teachers and the other adults in our schools respond appropriately when they witness harassing behavior.
We are justifiably proud of the excellent Northampton public school system. We also recognize that even Paradise City is not perfect. Together, we can make it more so.
Karen Bellavance-Grace
Northampton
The writer is chairwoman of the Northampton Human Rights Commission. The letter also was signed by the other commissioners, Booker Bush, Laurie Loisel, Davina Miller, Joel Morse, Nural Mohammed, Carla Velez and Christine Young.